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Ahyayauch H, Masserini ME, Alonso A, Goñi FM. Understanding Aβ Peptide Binding to Lipid Membranes: A Biophysical Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6401. [PMID: 38928107 PMCID: PMC11203662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aβ peptides are known to bind neural plasma membranes in a process leading to the deposit of Aβ-enriched plaques. These extracellular structures are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, the major cause of late-age dementia. The mechanisms of Aβ plaque formation and deposition are far from being understood. A vast number of studies in the literature describe the efforts to analyze those mechanisms using a variety of tools. The present review focuses on biophysical studies mostly carried out with model membranes or with computational tools. This review starts by describing basic physical aspects of lipid phases and commonly used model membranes (monolayers and bilayers). This is followed by a discussion of the biophysical techniques applied to these systems, mainly but not exclusively Langmuir monolayers, isothermal calorimetry, density-gradient ultracentrifugation, and molecular dynamics. The Methodological Section is followed by the core of the review, which includes a summary of important results obtained with each technique. The last section is devoted to an overall reflection and an effort to understand Aβ-bilayer binding. Concepts such as Aβ peptide membrane binding, adsorption, and insertion are defined and differentiated. The roles of membrane lipid order, nanodomain formation, and electrostatic forces in Aβ-membrane interaction are separately identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasna Ahyayauch
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Universidad del País Vasco, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (H.A.); (A.A.)
- Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et Techniques de Santé, Rabat 60000, Morocco
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Santé, Unité Neurosciences, Neuroimmunologie et Comportement, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kénitra 14000, Morocco
| | - Massimo E. Masserini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Alicia Alonso
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Universidad del País Vasco, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (H.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Félix M. Goñi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Universidad del País Vasco, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (H.A.); (A.A.)
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Zhang H, Li X, Wang X, Xu J, Elefant F, Wang J. Cellular response to β-amyloid neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease and implications in new therapeutics. Animal Model Exp Med 2023; 6:3-9. [PMID: 36872303 PMCID: PMC9986234 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Amyloid (Aβ) is a specific pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because of its neurotoxicity, AD patients exhibit multiple brain dysfunctions. Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is the central concept in the development of AD therapeutics today, and most DMT drugs that are currently in clinical trials are anti-Aβ drugs, such as aducanumab and lecanemab. Therefore, understanding Aβ's neurotoxic mechanism is crucial for Aβ-targeted drug development. Despite its total length of only a few dozen amino acids, Aβ is incredibly diverse. In addition to the well-known Aβ1-42 , N-terminally truncated, glutaminyl cyclase (QC) catalyzed, and pyroglutamate-modified Aβ (pEAβ) is also highly amyloidogenic and far more cytotoxic. The extracellular monomeric Aβx-42 (x = 1-11) initiates the aggregation to form fibrils and plaques and causes many abnormal cellular responses through cell membrane receptors and receptor-coupled signal pathways. These signal cascades further influence many cellular metabolism-related processes, such as gene expression, cell cycle, and cell fate, and ultimately cause severe neural cell damage. However, endogenous cellular anti-Aβ defense processes always accompany the Aβ-induced microenvironment alterations. Aβ-cleaving endopeptidases, Aβ-degrading ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), and Aβ-engulfing glial cell immune responses are all essential self-defense mechanisms that we can leverage to develop new drugs. This review discusses some of the most recent advances in understanding Aβ-centric AD mechanisms and suggests prospects for promising anti-Aβ strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Zhang
- Faculty of Environment and LifeBeijing University of TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Xianghua Li
- Faculty of Environment and LifeBeijing University of TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Faculty of Environment and LifeBeijing University of TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Jiayu Xu
- Faculty of Environment and LifeBeijing University of TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Felice Elefant
- Department of BiologyDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Juan Wang
- Faculty of Environment and LifeBeijing University of TechnologyBeijingChina
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Rudajev V, Novotny J. Cholesterol as a key player in amyloid β-mediated toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:937056. [PMID: 36090253 PMCID: PMC9453481 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.937056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is one of the most devastating and widespread diseases worldwide, mainly affecting the aging population. One of the key factors contributing to AD-related neurotoxicity is the production and aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ). Many studies have shown the ability of Aβ to bind to the cell membrane and disrupt its structure, leading to cell death. Because amyloid damage affects different parts of the brain differently, it seems likely that not only Aβ but also the nature of the membrane interface with which the amyloid interacts, helps determine the final neurotoxic effect. Because cholesterol is the dominant component of the plasma membrane, it plays an important role in Aβ-induced toxicity. Elevated cholesterol levels and their regulation by statins have been shown to be important factors influencing the progression of neurodegeneration. However, data from many studies have shown that cholesterol has both neuroprotective and aggravating effects in relation to the development of AD. In this review, we attempt to summarize recent findings on the role of cholesterol in Aβ toxicity mediated by membrane binding in the pathogenesis of AD and to consider it in the broader context of the lipid composition of cell membranes.
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Hashemi M, Banerjee S, Lyubchenko YL. Free Cholesterol Accelerates Aβ Self-Assembly on Membranes at Physiological Concentration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052803. [PMID: 35269945 PMCID: PMC8911190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of membranes on the early-stage aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) have come to light as potential mechanisms by which neurotoxic species are formed in Alzheimer’s disease. We have shown that direct Aβ-membrane interactions dramatically enhance the Aβ aggregation, allowing for oligomer assembly at physiologically low concentrations of the monomer. Membrane composition is also a crucial factor in this process. Our results showed that apart from phospholipids composition, cholesterol in membranes significantly enhances the aggregation kinetics. It has been reported that free cholesterol is present in plaques. Here we report that free cholesterol, along with its presence inside the membrane, further accelerate the aggregation process by producing aggregates more rapidly and of significantly larger sizes. These aggregates, which are formed on the lipid bilayer, are able to dissociate from the surface and accumulate in the bulk solution; the presence of free cholesterol accelerates this dissociation as well. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations show that cholesterol binds Aβ monomers and significantly changes the conformational sampling of Aβ monomer; more than doubling the fraction of low-energy conformations compared to those in the absence of cholesterol, which can contribute to the aggregation process. The results indicate that Aβ-lipid interaction is an important factor in the disease prone amyloid assembly process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohtadin Hashemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986025 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA; (M.H.); (S.B.)
| | - Siddhartha Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986025 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA; (M.H.); (S.B.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Shelby Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Yuri L. Lyubchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986025 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA; (M.H.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Andrade S, Loureiro JA, Pereira MC. The Role of Amyloid β-Biomembrane Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from Liposomes as Membrane Models. Chemphyschem 2021; 22:1547-1565. [PMID: 34086399 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide onto neuronal cells, with consequent cellular membrane perturbation, are central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Substantial evidence reveals that biological membranes play a key role in this process. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms by which Aβ interacts with biomembranes and becomes neurotoxic is fundamental to developing effective therapies for this devastating progressive disease. However, the structural basis behind such interactions is not fully understood, largely due to the complexity of natural membranes. In this context, lipid biomembrane models provide a simplified way to mimic the characteristics and composition of membranes. Aβ-biomembrane interactions have been extensively investigated applying artificial membrane models to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the AD pathogenesis. This review summarizes the latest findings on this field using liposomes as biomembrane model, as they are considered the most promising 3D model. The current challenges and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Andrade
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Angélica Loureiro
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
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Xu Y, Zheng H, Schumacher D, Liehn EA, Slabu I, Rusu M. Recent Advancements of Specific Functionalized Surfaces of Magnetic Nano- and Microparticles as a Theranostics Source in Biomedicine. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1914-1932. [PMID: 33856199 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic nano- and microparticles (MNMPs) belong to a highly versatile class of colloids with actuator and sensor properties that have been broadly studied for their application in theranostics such as molecular imaging and drug delivery. The use of advanced biocompatible, biodegradable polymers and polyelectrolytes as MNMP coating materials is essential to ensure the stability of MNMPs and enable efficient drug release while at the same time preventing cytotoxic effects. In the past years, huge progress has been made in terms of the design of MNMPs. Especially, the understanding of coating formation with respect to control of drug loading and release kinetics on the molecular level has significantly advanced. In this review, recent advancements in the field of MNMP surface engineering and the applicability of MNMPs in research fields of medical imaging, diagnosis, and nanotherapeutics are presented and discussed. Furthermore, in this review the main emphasis is put on the manipulation of biological specimens and cell trafficking, for which MNMPs represent a favorable tool enabling transport processes of drugs through cell membranes. Finally, challenges and future perspectives for applications of MNMPs as theranostic nanomaterials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Xu
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Huabo Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Angiology, and Intensive Care, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - David Schumacher
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Elisa Anamaria Liehn
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Angiology, and Intensive Care, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Institute of Pathology "Victor Babes", Splaiul Independentei nr. 99-101, Sector 5, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Slabu
- Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mihaela Rusu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Pathology "Victor Babes", Splaiul Independentei nr. 99-101, Sector 5, 050096 Bucharest, Romania.,Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Effect of Amyloid-β Monomers on Lipid Membrane Mechanical Parameters-Potential Implications for Mechanically Driven Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010018. [PMID: 33375009 PMCID: PMC7792773 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010018] [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: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in memory loss and the impairment of cognitive skills. Several mechanisms of AD’s pathogenesis were proposed, such as the progressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and τ pathology. Nevertheless, the exact neurodegenerative mechanism of the Aβ remains complex and not fully understood. This paper proposes an alternative hypothesis of the mechanism based on maintaining the neuron membrane’s mechanical balance. The incorporation of Aβ decreases the lipid membrane’s elastic properties, which eventually leads to the impairment of membrane clustering, disruption of mechanical wave propagation, and change in gamma oscillations. The first two disrupt the neuron’s ability to function correctly while the last one decreases sensory encoding and perception enabling. To begin discussing this mechanical-balance hypothesis, we measured the effect of two selected peptides, Aβ-40 and Aβ-42, as well as their fluorescently labeled modification, on membrane mechanical properties. The decrease of bending rigidity, consistent for all investigated peptides, was observed using molecular dynamic studies and experimental flicker-noise techniques. Additionally, wave propagation was investigated with molecular dynamic studies in membranes with and without incorporated neurodegenerative peptides. A change in membrane behavior was observed in the membrane system with incorporated Aβ.
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Rudajev V, Novotny J. The Role of Lipid Environment in Ganglioside GM1-Induced Amyloid β Aggregation. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10090226. [PMID: 32916822 PMCID: PMC7558528 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10090226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Ganglioside GM1 is the most common brain ganglioside enriched in plasma membrane regions known as lipid rafts or membrane microdomains. GM1 participates in many modulatory and communication functions associated with the development, differentiation, and protection of neuronal tissue. It has, however, been demonstrated that GM1 plays a negative role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The two features of AD are the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary bodies and the accumulation of extracellular amyloid β (Aβ). Aβ is a peptide characterized by intrinsic conformational flexibility. Depending on its partners, Aβ can adopt different spatial arrangements. GM1 has been shown to induce specific changes in the spatial organization of Aβ, which lead to enhanced peptide accumulation and deleterious effect especially on neuronal membranes containing clusters of this ganglioside. Changes in GM1 levels and distribution during the development of AD may contribute to the aggravation of the disease.
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Amyloidogenic Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: New Insights into Their Self-Assembly and Their Interaction with Membranes. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10080144. [PMID: 32784399 PMCID: PMC7459996 DOI: 10.3390/life10080144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aβ, IAPP, α-synuclein, and prion proteins belong to the amyloidogenic intrinsically disordered proteins’ family; indeed, they lack well defined secondary and tertiary structures. It is generally acknowledged that they are involved, respectively, in Alzheimer’s, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Parkinson’s, and Creutzfeldt–Jakob’s diseases. The molecular mechanism of toxicity is under intense debate, as many hypotheses concerning the involvement of the amyloid and the toxic oligomers have been proposed. However, the main role is represented by the interplay of protein and the cell membrane. Thus, the understanding of the interaction mechanism at the molecular level is crucial to shed light on the dynamics driving this phenomenon. There are plenty of factors influencing the interaction as mentioned above, however, the overall view is made trickier by the apparent irreproducibility and inconsistency of the data reported in the literature. Here, we contextualized this topic in a historical, and even more importantly, in a future perspective. We introduce two novel insights: the chemical equilibrium, always established in the aqueous phase between the free and the membrane phospholipids, as mediators of protein-transport into the core of the bilayer, and the symmetry-breaking of oligomeric aggregates forming an alternating array of partially ordered and disordered monomers.
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