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Moraca F, Vespoli I, Mastroianni D, Piscopo V, Gaglione R, Arciello A, De Nisco M, Pacifico S, Catalanotti B, Pedatella S. Synthesis, biological evaluation and metadynamics simulations of novel N-methyl β-sheet breaker peptides as inhibitors of Alzheimer's β-amyloid fibrillogenesis. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:2286-2299. [PMID: 39026638 PMCID: PMC11253850 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00057a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Several scientific evidences report that a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is played by the deposition of insoluble aggregates of β-amyloid proteins in the brain. Because Aβ is self-assembling, one possible design strategy is to inhibit the aggregation of Aβ peptides using short peptide fragments homologous to the full-length wild-type Aβ protein. In the past years, several studies have reported on the synthesis of some short synthetic peptides called β-sheet breaker peptides (BSBPs). Herein, we present the synthesis of novel (cell-permeable) N-methyl BSBPs, designed based on literature information on the structural key features of BSBPs. Three-dimensional GRID-based pharmacophore peptide screening combined with PT-WTE metadynamics was performed to support the results of the design and microwave-assisted synthesis of peptides 2 and 3 prepared and analyzed for their fibrillogenesis inhibition activity and cytotoxicity. An HR-MS-based cell metabolomic approach highlighted their cell permeability properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Moraca
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II Via Domenico Montesano 49 I-80131 Napoli Italy
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro Viale Europa 88100 Catanzaro Italy
| | - Ilaria Vespoli
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo náměstí 542/2 CZ-16610 Prague Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Mastroianni
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Vincenzo Piscopo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Viale Abramo Lincoln 5 I-81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB) Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro 305 I-80145 Roma Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB) Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro 305 I-80145 Roma Italy
| | - Mauro De Nisco
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano I-85100 Potenza Italy
| | - Severina Pacifico
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Viale Abramo Lincoln 5 I-81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II Via Domenico Montesano 49 I-80131 Napoli Italy
| | - Silvana Pedatella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
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2
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Pradhan AK, Neumüller T, Klug C, Fuchs S, Schlegel M, Ballmann M, Tartler KJ, Pianos A, Garcia MS, Liere P, Schumacher M, Kreuzer M, Rupprecht R, Rammes G. Chronic administration of XBD173 ameliorates cognitive deficits and neuropathology via 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:332. [PMID: 37891168 PMCID: PMC10611770 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). It affects cognition and leads to memory impairment. The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and has been implicated in several neuronal disorders or neuronal injuries. Ligands targeting the mitochondrial translocator protein (18 kDa), promote neurosteroidogenesis and may be neuroprotective. To study whether the TSPO ligand XBD173 may exert early neuroprotective effects in AD pathology we investigated the impact of XBD173 on amyloid toxicity and neuroplasticity in mouse models of AD. We show that XBD173 (emapunil), via neurosteroid-mediated signaling and delta subunit-containing GABAA receptors, prevents the neurotoxic effect of Aβ on long-term potentiation (CA1-LTP) in the hippocampus and prevents the loss of spines. Chronic but not acute administration of XBD173 ameliorates spatial learning deficits in transgenic AD mice with arctic mutation (ArcAβ). The heterozygous TSPO-knockout crossed with the transgenic arctic mutation model of AD mice (het TSPOKO X ArcAβ) treated with XBD173 does not show this improvement in spatial learning suggesting TSPO is needed for procognitive effects of XBD173. The neuroprotective profile of XBD173 in AD pathology is further supported by a reduction in plaques and soluble Aβ levels in the cortex, increased synthesis of neurosteroids, rescued spine density, reduction of complement protein C1q deposits, and reduced astrocytic phagocytosis of functional synapses both in the hippocampus and cortex. Our findings suggest that XBD173 may exert therapeutic effects via TSPO in a mouse model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpit Kumar Pradhan
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany.
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Tatjana Neumüller
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Klug
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Severin Fuchs
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Schlegel
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Ballmann
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Johanna Tartler
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94276, France
| | - Maria Sanchez Garcia
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94276, France
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94276, France
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94276, France
| | - Matthias Kreuzer
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Rammes
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
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3
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Cell models for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease: At the interface of biology and drug discovery. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112924. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Singh SK, Balendra V, Obaid AA, Esposto J, Tikhonova MA, Gautam NK, Poeggeler B. Copper-Mediated β-Amyloid Toxicity and its Chelation Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease. Metallomics 2022; 14:6554256. [PMID: 35333348 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The link between bio-metals, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its associated protein, amyloid-β (Aβ) is very complex and one of the most studied aspects currently. Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is proposed to occurs due to the misfolding and aggregation of Aβ. Dyshomeostasis of metal ions and their interaction with Aβ has largely been implicated in AD. Copper plays a crucial role in amyloid-β toxicity and AD development potentially occurs through direct interaction with the copper-binding motif of APP and different amino acid residues of Aβ. Previous reports suggest that high levels of copper accumulation in the AD brain result in modulation of toxic Aβ peptide levels, implicating the role of copper in the pathophysiology of AD. In this review, we explore the possible mode of copper ion interaction with Aβ which accelerates the kinetics of fibril formation and promote amyloid-β mediated cell toxicity in Alzheimer's disease and the potential use of various copper chelators in the prevention of copper-mediated Aβ toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow-226002, India
| | - Vyshnavy Balendra
- Saint James School of Medicine, Park Ridge, Illinois, United States of America 60068
| | - Ahmad A Obaid
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Josephine Esposto
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaK9L 0G2
| | - Maria A Tikhonova
- Laboratory of the Experimental Models of Neurodegenerative Processes, Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine; Timakov st., 4, Novosibirsk, 630117, Russia
| | - Naveen Kumar Gautam
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Burkhard Poeggeler
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute for Zoology & Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Am Türmchen 3,33332 Gütersloh, Germany
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5
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Destabilization of the Alzheimer's amyloid-β peptide by a proline-rich β-sheet breaker peptide: a molecular dynamics simulation study. J Mol Model 2021; 27:356. [PMID: 34796404 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04968-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid-β peptide exists in the form of fibrils in the plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. One of the therapeutic strategies is the design of molecules which can destabilize these fibrils. We present a designed peptide KLVFFP5 with two segments: the self-recognition sequence KLVFF and a β-sheet breaker proline pentamer. Molecular dynamics simulations and docking results showed that this peptide could bind to the protofibrils and destabilize them by establishing hydrophobic contacts and hydrogen bonds with a higher affinity than the KLVFF peptide. In the presence of the KLVFFP5 peptide, the β-sheet content of the protofibrils was reduced significantly; the hydrogen bonding network and the salt bridges were disrupted to a greater extent than the KLVFF peptide. Our results indicate that the KLVFFP5 peptide is an effective β-sheet disruptor which can be considered in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease.
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Vignon A, Salvador-Prince L, Lehmann S, Perrier V, Torrent J. Deconstructing Alzheimer's Disease: How to Bridge the Gap between Experimental Models and the Human Pathology? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8769. [PMID: 34445475 PMCID: PMC8395727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovered more than a century ago, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not only still present in our societies but has also become the most common dementia, with 50 million people worldwide affected by the disease. This number is expected to double in the next generation, and no cure is currently available to slow down or stop the disease progression. Recently, some advances were made due to the approval of the aducanumab treatment by the American Food and Drug Administration. The etiology of this human-specific disease remains poorly understood, and the mechanisms of its development have not been completely clarified. Several hypotheses concerning the molecular mechanisms of AD have been proposed, but the existing studies focus primarily on the two main markers of the disease: the amyloid β peptides, whose aggregation in the brain generates amyloid plaques, and the abnormally phosphorylated tau proteins, which are responsible for neurofibrillary tangles. These protein aggregates induce neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, which, in turn, lead to cognitive and behavioral deficits. The challenge is, therefore, to create models that best reproduce this pathology. This review aims at gathering the different existing AD models developed in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivo. Many models have already been set up, but it is necessary to identify the most relevant ones for our investigations. The purpose of the review is to help researchers to identify the most pertinent disease models, from the most often used to the most recently generated and from simple to complex, explaining their specificities and giving concrete examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Vignon
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (L.S.-P.)
| | - Lucie Salvador-Prince
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (L.S.-P.)
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France;
| | - Véronique Perrier
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Joan Torrent
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (L.S.-P.)
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Sha S, Shen X, Cao Y, Qu L. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorate Alzheimer's disease in rat models via the microRNA-29c-3p/BACE1 axis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:15285-15306. [PMID: 34086603 PMCID: PMC8221351 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Currently, Alzheimer's disease (AD) cannot be treated effectively. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (MSC-EVs) exhibit therapeutic effects on many diseases. This study investigated the mechanism of bone marrow MSC-EVs (BM-MSC-EVs) in a rat model of AD. The cognitive function, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, Aβ deposition areas and levels of Aβ1-42, Aβ decomposition-related factors (NEP and IDE), and inflammatory cytokines in BM-MSC-EVs-treated AD rats were measured. The effect of BM-MSC-EVs was studied in AD neuron model. microRNA (miR)-29c-3p and BACE1 expression, as well as levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related factors in AD and EVs-treated AD models were detected. miR-29c-3p relationship with BACE1 was predicted and confirmed. miR-29c-3p and BACE1 were interfered to verify the mechanism of EVs in AD. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor DKK1 was further added to EVs-treated AD neurons. BM-MSC-EVs showed therapeutic effects on AD rats and neurons. BM-MSC-EVs carried miR-29c-3p into AD neurons. miR-29c-3p targeted BACE1. Silencing miR-29c-3p in BM-MSCs reduced BM-MSC-EV therapeutic effect on AD, which was reversed after BACE1 knockdown. miR-29c-3p targeted BACE1 and activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition impaired EV therapeutic effects on AD. We highlighted that BM-MSC-EVs delivered miR-29c-3p to neurons to inhibit BACE1 expression and activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby playing a therapeutic role in AD. This study may provide a novel perspective for elucidating the mechanism of MSCs in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Sha
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xueli Shen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yunpeng Cao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Le Qu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
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8
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Castro-Silva ES, Bello M, Rosales-Hernández MC, Correa-Basurto J, Hernández-Rodríguez M, Villalobos-Acosta D, Méndez-Méndez JV, Estrada-Pérez A, Murillo-Álvarez J, Muñoz-Ochoa M. Fucosterol from Sargassum horridum as an amyloid-beta (Aβ 1-42) aggregation inhibitor: in vitro and in silico studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 39:1271-1283. [PMID: 32159448 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1729863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The number of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases each year, and there are currently few treatment strategies to decrease the symptoms of AD; furthermore, these strategies are not sufficient to reduce memory loss in AD patients. In this work, in vitro and in silico studies were performed to evaluate the effects of fucosterol, which was extracted from an algal source and characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectra (LC-MS), as an inhibitor of Aβ1-42 aggregation. Experimental studies, including protein gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy and fluorescence studies with thioflavin T (ThT), highlighted that fucosterol can decrease oligomer formation more than galantamine, which was used as a positive control. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations coupled with an MMGBSA approach showed that fucosterol is capable of recognizing the hydrophobic regions of monomeric Aβ1-42, suggesting that fucosterol could affect amyloid-beta (Aβ1-42) aggregation by preventing the formation of oligomers, preventing the development of AD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sthephanie Castro-Silva
- Laboratorio de Química de Macroalgas, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Av. Instituto Politécnico, La Paz, B.C.S. México
| | - Martiniano Bello
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Martha Cecilia Rosales-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biofísica y Biocatálisis, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maricarmen Hernández-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biofísica y Biocatálisis, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Daniel Villalobos-Acosta
- Laboratorio de Biofísica y Biocatálisis, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Vicente Méndez-Méndez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Nanociencias y Micro y Nanotecnologías, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alan Estrada-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jesus Murillo-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Química de Macroalgas, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Av. Instituto Politécnico, La Paz, B.C.S. México
| | - Mauricio Muñoz-Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Química de Macroalgas, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Av. Instituto Politécnico, La Paz, B.C.S. México
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9
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Mitroshina EV, Yarkov RS, Mishchenko TA, Krut' VG, Gavrish MS, Epifanova EA, Babaev AA, Vedunova MV. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Preserves the Functional Integrity of Neural Networks in the β-Amyloidopathy Model in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:582. [PMID: 32733889 PMCID: PMC7360686 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a widespread chronic neurodegenerative pathology characterized by synaptic dysfunction, partial neuronal death, cognitive decline and memory impairments. The major hallmarks of AD are extracellular senile amyloid plaques formed by various types of amyloid proteins (Aβ) and the formation and accumulation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. However, there is a lack of relevant experimental models for studying changes in neural network activity, the features of intercellular signaling or the effects of drugs on the functional activity of nervous cells during AD development. In this work, we examined two experimental models of amyloidopathy using primary hippocampal cultures. The first model involves the embryonic brains of 5xFAD mice; the second uses chronic application of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42). The model based on primary hippocampal cells obtained from 5xFAD mice demonstrated changes in spontaneous network calcium activity characterized by a decrease in the number of cells exhibiting Ca2+ activity, a decrease in the number of Ca2+ oscillations and an increase in the duration of Ca2+ events from day 21 of culture development in vitro. Chronic application of Aβ1-42 resulted in the rapid establishment of significant neurodegenerative changes in primary hippocampal cultures, leading to marked impairments in neural network calcium activity and increased cell death. Using this model and multielectrode arrays, we studied the influence of amyloidopathy on spontaneous bioelectrical neural network activity in primary hippocampal cultures. It was shown that chronic Aβ application decreased the number of network bursts and spikes in a burst. The spatial structure of neural networks was also disturbed that characterized by reduction in both the number of key network elements (hubs) and connections between network elements. Moreover, application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) recombinant protein and BDNF hyperexpression by an adeno-associated virus vector partially prevented these amyloidopathy-induced neurodegenerative phenomena. BDNF maintained cell viability and spontaneous bioelectrical and calcium network activity in primary hippocampal cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Mitroshina
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Roman S Yarkov
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Mishchenko
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Molecular and Cell Technologies Group, Central Scientific Research Laboratory, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Victoria G Krut'
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria S Gavrish
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Epifanova
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Alexey A Babaev
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria V Vedunova
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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10
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Highlighting the effect of amyloid beta assemblies on the mechanical properties and conformational stability of cell membrane. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 100:107670. [PMID: 32711259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function due to the abnormal aggregation and deposition of Amyloid beta (Aβ) fibrils in the brain of patients. In this context, the molecular mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation that are known to induce significant biophysical alterations in cells, including destabilization of plasma membranes, remain partially unclear. Physical interaction between the Aβ assemblies and the membrane leads to the disruption of the cell membrane in multiple ways including, surface carpeting, generation of transmembrane channels and detergent-like membrane dissolution. Understanding the impact of amyloidogenic protein in different stages of aggregation with the plasma membrane, plays a crucial role to fully elucidate the pathological mechanisms of AD. Within this framework, computer simulations represent a powerful tool able to shed lights on the interactions governing the structural influence of Aβ proteins on biological membrane. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed in order to characterize how POPC bilayer conformational and mechanical properties are affected by the interaction with Aβ11-42 peptide, oligomer and fibril.
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11
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Singh VK, Kumar S, Tapryal S. Aggregation Propensities of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Proteins and Derived Peptides: An In Silico and In Vitro Analysis. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:12964-12973. [PMID: 32548480 PMCID: PMC7288601 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent infections of neurotropic herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) have been implicated in etiology and pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although protein and peptide aggregation events are at the center of the AD pathophysiology, except a single study where a peptide derived from glycoprotein B of HSV-1 was reported to form β-amyloid-like aggregates, similar investigations with the entire proteome of HSV-1 have not been attempted. In the current study, 70 HSV-1 proteins were screened using bioinformatics tools to identify aggregation-prone candidates. Thereafter, the 20S proteasome cleavage sites within the sequence of the selected proteins were determined using Pcleavage and NetChop algorithms, thereby mimicking a cellular proteasomal activity providing short peptides. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of a 28-residue-long peptide (HSV-1 gK208-235) derived from glycoprotein K of HSV-1. The peptide showed high aggregation propensity and homology to the C-terminus of Aβ1-42 peptide. The aggregates of gK208-235 peptide were characterized by the Congo red and Thioflavin T assays and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and their spheroid oligomeric structure was established by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the aggregates demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity to primary mouse splenocytes. The current findings hypothesize a mechanism by which HSV-1 may contribute to AD, which may be pursued further in the future.
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Miceli M, Muscat S, Morbiducci U, Cavaglià M, Deriu MA. Ultrasonic waves effect on S-shaped β-amyloids conformational dynamics by non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 96:107518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.107518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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13
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Muscat S, Pallante L, Stojceski F, Danani A, Grasso G, Deriu MA. The Impact of Natural Compounds on S-Shaped Aβ42 Fibril: From Molecular Docking to Biophysical Characterization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062017. [PMID: 32188076 PMCID: PMC7139307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pursuit for effective strategies inhibiting the amyloidogenic process in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), remains one of the main unsolved issues, and only a few drugs have demonstrated to delay the degeneration of the cognitive system. Moreover, most therapies induce severe side effects and are not effective at all stages of the illness. The need to find novel and reliable drugs appears therefore of primary importance. In this context, natural compounds have shown interesting beneficial effects on the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, exhibiting a great inhibitory activity on the formation of amyloid aggregates and proving to be effective in many preclinical and clinical studies. However, their inhibitory mechanism is still unclear. In this work, ensemble docking and molecular dynamics simulations on S-shaped Aβ42 fibrils have been carried out to evaluate the influence of several natural compounds on amyloid conformational behaviour. A deep understanding of the interaction mechanisms between natural compounds and Aβ aggregates may play a key role to pave the way for design, discovery and optimization strategies toward an efficient destabilization of toxic amyloid assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Muscat
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), University of Applied Science and Art of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), CH-6928 Manno, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Pallante
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, IT-10128 Torino, Italy
| | - Filip Stojceski
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), University of Applied Science and Art of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), CH-6928 Manno, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Danani
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), University of Applied Science and Art of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), CH-6928 Manno, Switzerland
| | - Gianvito Grasso
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), University of Applied Science and Art of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), CH-6928 Manno, Switzerland
| | - Marco Agostino Deriu
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, IT-10128 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Chen H, Sun D, Tian Y, Fan H, Liu Y, Morozova-Roche LA, Zhang C. Surface-Directed Structural Transition of Amyloidogenic Aggregates and the Resulting Neurotoxicity. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:2856-2864. [PMID: 32095707 PMCID: PMC7034003 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The transition of amyloidogenic species into ordered structures (i.e., prefibrillar oligomers, protofibrils, mature fibrils, and amyloidogenic aggregates) is closely associated with many neurodegenerative disease pathologies. It is increasingly appreciated that the liquid-solid interface contributes to peptide aggregation under physiological conditions. However, much remains to be explored on the molecular mechanism of surface-directed amyloid formation. We herein demonstrate that physical environmental conditions (i.e., negatively charged surface) affect amyloid formation. Nontoxic amyloid aggregates quickly develop into intertwisting fibrils on a negatively charged mica surface. These fibrillar structures show significant cytotoxicity on both neuroblastoma cell-lines (SH-SY5Y) and primary neural stem cells. Our results suggest an alternative amyloid development pathway, following which Aβ peptides form large amyloidogenic aggregates upon stimulation, and later transit into neurotoxic fibrillar structures while being trapped and aligned by a negatively charged surface. Conceivably, the interplay between chemical and physical environmental conditions plays important roles in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- School
of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Dan Sun
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Yin Tian
- Laboratory
of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing
Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Haiming Fan
- College
of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest
University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Yonggang Liu
- Laboratory
of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing
Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | | | - Ce Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
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15
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Aggregation Mechanism of Alzheimer's Amyloid β-Peptide Mediated by α-Strand/α-Sheet Structure. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031094. [PMID: 32046006 PMCID: PMC7038184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and a widespread form of dementia. Aggregated forms of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) are identified as a toxic species responsible for neuronal damage in AD. Extensive research has been conducted to reveal the aggregation mechanism of Aβ. However, the structure of pathological aggregates and the mechanism of aggregation are not well understood. Recently, experimental studies have confirmed that the α-sheet structure in Aβ drives aggregation and toxicity in AD. However, how the α-sheet structure is formed in Aβ and how it contributes to Aβ aggregation remains elusive. In the present study, molecular dynamics simulations suggest that Aβ adopts the α-strand conformation by peptide-plane flipping. Multiple α-strands interact through hydrogen bonding to form α-sheets. This structure acts as a nucleus that initiates and promotes aggregation and fibrillation of Aβ. Our findings are supported by previous experimental as well as theoretical studies. This study provides valuable structural insights for the design of anti-AD drugs exploiting the α-strand/α-sheet structure.
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16
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Elucidating the Effect of Static Electric Field on Amyloid Beta 1-42 Supramolecular Assembly. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 96:107535. [PMID: 31978828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation is recognized to be a key toxic factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, which is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In vitro experiments have elucidated that Aβ aggregation depends on several factors, such as pH, temperature and peptide concentration. Despite the research effort in this field, the fundamental mechanism responsible for the disease progression is still unclear. Recent research has proposed the application of electric fields as a non-invasive therapeutic option leading to the disruption of amyloid fibrils. In this regard, a molecular level understanding of the interactions governing the destabilization mechanism represents an important research advancement. Understanding the electric field effects on proteins, provides a more in-depth comprehension of the relationship between protein conformation and electrostatic dipole moment. The present study focuses on investigating the effect of static Electric Field (EF) on the conformational dynamics of Aβ fibrils by all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The outcome of this work provides novel insight into this research field, demonstrating how the Aβ assembly may be destabilized by the applied EF.
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17
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Grasso G, Leanza L, Morbiducci U, Danani A, Deriu MA. Aminoacid substitutions in the glycine zipper affect the conformational stability of amyloid beta fibrils. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:3908-3915. [PMID: 31543007 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1671224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of amyloid-beta peptides is associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The hydrophobic core of the amyloid beta sequence contains a GxxxG repeated motif, called glycine zipper, which involves crucial residues for assuring stability and promoting the process of fibril formation. Mutations in this motif lead to a completely different oligomerization pathway and rate of fibril formation. In this work, we have tested G33L and G37L residue substitutions by molecular dynamics simulations. We found that both protein mutations may lead to remarkable changes in the fibril conformational stability. Results suggest the disruption of the glycine zipper as a possible strategy to reduce the aggregation propensity of amyloid beta peptides. On the basis of our data, further investigations may consider this key region as a binding site to design/discover novel effective inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianvito Grasso
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), Manno, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Leanza
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
| | - Umberto Morbiducci
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Danani
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), University of Italian Switzerland (USI), Manno, Switzerland
| | - Marco A Deriu
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
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18
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Penke B, Bogár F, Paragi G, Gera J, Fülöp L. Key Peptides and Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:577-599. [PMID: 30605056 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190103123434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a form of progressive dementia involving cognitive impairment, loss of learning and memory. Different proteins (such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), β- amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein) play a key role in the initiation and progression of AD. We review the role of the most important proteins and peptides in AD pathogenesis. The structure, biosynthesis and physiological role of APP are shortly summarized. The details of trafficking and processing of APP to Aβ, the cytosolic intracellular Aβ domain (AICD) and small soluble proteins are shown, together with other amyloid-forming proteins such as tau and α-synuclein (α-syn). Hypothetic physiological functions of Aβ are summarized. The mechanism of conformational change, the formation and the role of neurotoxic amyloid oligomeric (oAβ) are shown. The fibril formation process and the co-existence of different steric structures (U-shaped and S-shaped) of Aβ monomers in mature fibrils are demonstrated. We summarize the known pathogenic and non-pathogenic mutations and show the toxic interactions of Aβ species after binding to cellular receptors. Tau phosphorylation, fibrillation, the molecular structure of tau filaments and their toxic effect on microtubules are shown. Development of Aβ and tau imaging in AD brain and CSF as well as blood biomarkers is shortly summarized. The most probable pathomechanisms of AD including the toxic effects of oAβ and tau; the three (biochemical, cellular and clinical) phases of AD are shown. Finally, the last section summarizes the present state of Aβ- and tau-directed therapies and future directions of AD research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botond Penke
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Bogár
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Dom square 8, Hungary
| | - Gábor Paragi
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Dom square 8, Hungary.,Institute of Physics, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pecs, Ifjusag utja 6, Hungary
| | - János Gera
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Lívia Fülöp
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
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