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Moldovean-Cioroianu NS. Reviewing the Structure-Function Paradigm in Polyglutamine Disorders: A Synergistic Perspective on Theoretical and Experimental Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6789. [PMID: 38928495 PMCID: PMC11204371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126789] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the excessive expansion of CAG (cytosine, adenine, guanine) repeats within host proteins. The quest to unravel the complex diseases mechanism has led researchers to adopt both theoretical and experimental methods, each offering unique insights into the underlying pathogenesis. This review emphasizes the significance of combining multiple approaches in the study of polyQ disorders, focusing on the structure-function correlations and the relevance of polyQ-related protein dynamics in neurodegeneration. By integrating computational/theoretical predictions with experimental observations, one can establish robust structure-function correlations, aiding in the identification of key molecular targets for therapeutic interventions. PolyQ proteins' dynamics, influenced by their length and interactions with other molecular partners, play a pivotal role in the polyQ-related pathogenic cascade. Moreover, conformational dynamics of polyQ proteins can trigger aggregation, leading to toxic assembles that hinder proper cellular homeostasis. Understanding these intricacies offers new avenues for therapeutic strategies by fine-tuning polyQ kinetics, in order to prevent and control disease progression. Last but not least, this review highlights the importance of integrating multidisciplinary efforts to advancing research in this field, bringing us closer to the ultimate goal of finding effective treatments against polyQ disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastasia Sanda Moldovean-Cioroianu
- Institute of Materials Science, Bioinspired Materials and Biosensor Technologies, Kiel University, Kaiserstraße 2, 24143 Kiel, Germany;
- Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Kogălniceanu 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Stasiłowicz-Krzemień A, Nogalska W, Maszewska Z, Maleszka M, Dobroń M, Szary A, Kępa A, Żarowski M, Hojan K, Lukowicz M, Cielecka-Piontek J. The Use of Compounds Derived from Cannabis sativa in the Treatment of Epilepsy, Painful Conditions, and Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5749. [PMID: 38891938 PMCID: PMC11171823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115749] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders present a wide range of symptoms and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Cannabis sativa, with its diverse chemical composition, offers potential therapeutic benefits due to its anticonvulsive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Beyond cannabinoids, cannabis contains terpenes and polyphenols, which synergistically enhance its pharmacological effects. Various administration routes, including vaporization, oral ingestion, sublingual, and rectal, provide flexibility in treatment delivery. This review shows the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in managing neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and painful pathologies. Drawing from surveys, patient studies, and clinical trials, it highlights the potential of cannabis in alleviating symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving overall quality of life for patients. Understanding the diverse therapeutic mechanisms of cannabis can open up possibilities for using this plant for individual patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stasiłowicz-Krzemień
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Wiktoria Nogalska
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Zofia Maszewska
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Mateusz Maleszka
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Maria Dobroń
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Agnieszka Szary
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Aleksandra Kępa
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
| | - Marcin Żarowski
- Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewski 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Hojan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Swięcickiego 6, 61-847 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Rehabilitation, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Lukowicz
- Department of Rehabilitation, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Konarskiego 13, 05-400 Otwock, Poland;
| | - Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (A.S.-K.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Wojska Polskiego 71b, 60-630 Poznan, Poland
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Felício D, du Mérac TR, Amorim A, Martins S. Functional implications of paralog genes in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1651-1676. [PMID: 37845370 PMCID: PMC10676324 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02607-4] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise a group of autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by (CAG/CAA)n expansions. The elongated stretches of adjacent glutamines alter the conformation of the native proteins inducing neurotoxicity, and subsequent motor and neurological symptoms. Although the etiology and neuropathology of most polyQ SCAs have been extensively studied, only a limited selection of therapies is available. Previous studies on SCA1 demonstrated that ATXN1L, a human duplicated gene of the disease-associated ATXN1, alleviated neuropathology in mice models. Other SCA-associated genes have paralogs (i.e., copies at different chromosomal locations derived from duplication of the parental gene), but their functional relevance and potential role in disease pathogenesis remain unexplored. Here, we review the protein homology, expression pattern, and molecular functions of paralogs in seven polyQ dominant ataxias-SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA17, and DRPLA. Besides ATXN1L, we highlight ATXN2L, ATXN3L, CACNA1B, ATXN7L1, ATXN7L2, TBPL2, and RERE as promising functional candidates to play a role in the neuropathology of the respective SCA, along with the parental gene. Although most of these duplicates lack the (CAG/CAA)n region, if functionally redundant, they may compensate for a partial loss-of-function or dysfunction of the wild-type genes in SCAs. We aim to draw attention to the hypothesis that paralogs of disease-associated genes may underlie the complex neuropathology of dominant ataxias and potentiate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Felício
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tanguy Rubat du Mérac
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - António Amorim
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Martins
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
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Barzilai A, Mitiagin Y. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated plays an important role in cerebellar integrity and functionality. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:497-502. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.350194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Khan ES, Danckwardt S. Pathophysiological Role and Diagnostic Potential of R-Loops in Cancer and Beyond. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122181. [PMID: 36553448 PMCID: PMC9777984 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are DNA-RNA hybrids that play multifunctional roles in gene regulation, including replication, transcription, transcription-replication collision, epigenetics, and preserving the integrity of the genome. The aberrant formation and accumulation of unscheduled R-loops can disrupt gene expression and damage DNA, thereby causing genome instability. Recent links between unscheduled R-loop accumulation and the abundance of proteins that modulate R-loop biogenesis have been associated with numerous human diseases, including various cancers. Although R-loops are not necessarily causative for all disease entities described to date, they can perpetuate and even exacerbate the initially disease-eliciting pathophysiology, making them structures of interest for molecular diagnostics. In this review, we discuss the (patho) physiological role of R-loops in health and disease, their surprising diagnostic potential, and state-of-the-art techniques for their detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essak S. Khan
- Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation, Cancer Research and Experimental Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), DKFZ Frankfurt-Mainz, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Danckwardt
- Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation, Cancer Research and Experimental Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhine-Main, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Skeletal Muscle Pathogenesis in Polyglutamine Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132105. [PMID: 35805189 PMCID: PMC9265456 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are characterized by selective dysfunction and degeneration of specific types of neurons in the central nervous system. In addition, nonneuronal cells can also be affected as a consequence of primary degeneration or due to neuronal dysfunction. Skeletal muscle is a primary site of toxicity of polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor, but it is also affected in other polyglutamine diseases, more likely due to neuronal dysfunction and death. Nonetheless, pathological processes occurring in skeletal muscle atrophy impact the entire body metabolism, thus actively contributing to the inexorable progression towards the late and final stages of disease. Skeletal muscle atrophy is well recapitulated in animal models of polyglutamine disease. In this review, we discuss the impact and relevance of skeletal muscle in patients affected by polyglutamine diseases and we review evidence obtained in animal models and patient-derived cells modeling skeletal muscle.
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