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Zerva MC, Triantafylloudis C, Paspaliaris V, Skoulakis EMC, Papanikolopoulou K. Choline Metabolites Reverse Differentially the Habituation Deficit and Elevated Memory of Tau Null Drosophila. Cells 2024; 13:746. [PMID: 38727282 PMCID: PMC11083674 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired neuronal plasticity and cognitive decline are cardinal features of Alzheimer's disease and related Tauopathies. Aberrantly modified Tau protein and neurotransmitter imbalance, predominantly involving acetylcholine, have been linked to these symptoms. In Drosophila, we have shown that dTau loss specifically enhances associative long-term olfactory memory, impairs foot shock habituation, and deregulates proteins involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter levels, particularly acetylcholine. Interestingly, upon choline treatment, the habituation and memory performance of mutants are restored to that of control flies. Based on these surprising results, we decided to use our well-established genetic model to understand how habituation deficits and memory performance correlate with different aspects of choline physiology as an essential component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the lipid phosphatidylcholine, and the osmoregulator betaine. The results revealed that the two observed phenotypes are reversed by different choline metabolites, implying that they are governed by different underlying mechanisms. This work can contribute to a broader knowledge about the physiologic function of Tau, which may be translated into understanding the mechanisms of Tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Christina Zerva
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece (V.P.)
- Athens International Master’s Program in Neurosciences, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Triantafylloudis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece (V.P.)
- Master’s Program in Molecular Biomedicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Paspaliaris
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece (V.P.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece (V.P.)
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece (V.P.)
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Kim YA, Mellen M, Kizil C, Santa-Maria I. Mechanisms linking cerebrovascular dysfunction and tauopathy: Adding a layer of epiregulatory complexity. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:879-895. [PMID: 37926507 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated misfolded tau proteins are found in many neurodegenerative tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau pathology can impact cerebrovascular physiology and function through multiple mechanisms. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that alterations in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and function can result in synaptic abnormalities and neuronal damage. In the present review, we will summarize how tau proteostasis dysregulation contributes to vascular dysfunction and, conversely, we will examine the factors and pathways leading to tau pathological alterations triggered by cerebrovascular dysfunction. Finally, we will highlight the role epigenetic and epitranscriptomic factors play in regulating the integrity of the cerebrovascular system and the progression of tauopathy including a few observartions on potential therapeutic interventions. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue From Alzheimer's Disease to Vascular Dementia: Different Roads Leading to Cognitive Decline. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.6/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon A Kim
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marian Mellen
- Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Caghan Kizil
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ismael Santa-Maria
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain
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Zhang Y, Li Y, Quan Z, Xiao P, Duan JA. New Insights into Antioxidant Peptides: An Overview of Efficient Screening, Evaluation Models, Molecular Mechanisms, and Applications. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:203. [PMID: 38397801 PMCID: PMC10886007 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antioxidant peptides are currently a hotspot in food science, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In different fields, the screening, activity evaluation, mechanisms, and applications of antioxidant peptides are the pivotal areas of research. Among these topics, the efficient screening of antioxidant peptides stands at the forefront of cutting-edge research. To this end, efficient screening with novel technologies has significantly accelerated the research process, gradually replacing the traditional approach. After the novel antioxidant peptides are screened and identified, a time-consuming activity evaluation is another indispensable procedure, especially in in vivo models. Cellular and rodent models have been widely used for activity evaluation, whilst non-rodent models provide an efficient solution, even with the potential for high-throughput screening. Meanwhile, further research of molecular mechanisms can elucidate the essence underlying the activity, which is related to several signaling pathways, including Keap1-Nrf2/ARE, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, TGF-β/SMAD, AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and NF-κB. Last but not least, antioxidant peptides have broad applications in food manufacture, therapy, and the cosmetics industry, which requires a systematic review. This review introduces novel technologies for the efficient screening of antioxidant peptides, categorized with a new vision. A wide range of activity evaluation assays, encompassing cellular models, as well as rodent and non-rodent models, are provided in a comprehensive manner. In addition, recent advances in molecular mechanisms are analyzed with specific cases. Finally, the applications of antioxidant peptides in food production, therapy, and cosmetics are systematically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ping Xiao
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Jin-Ao Duan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (Z.Q.)
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Vourkou E, Rouiz Ortega ED, Mahajan S, Mudher A, Skoulakis EMC. Human Tau Aggregates Are Permissive to Protein Synthesis-Dependent Memory in Drosophila Tauopathy Models. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2988-3006. [PMID: 36868851 PMCID: PMC10124960 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1374-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease, are characterized by progressive cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and intraneuronal aggregates comprised largely of the axonal protein Tau. It has been unclear whether cognitive deficits are a consequence of aggregate accumulation thought to compromise neuronal health and eventually lead to neurodegeneration. We use the Drosophila tauopathy model and mixed-sex populations to reveal an adult onset pan-neuronal Tau accumulation-dependent decline in learning efficacy and a specific defect in protein synthesis-dependent memory (PSD-M), but not in its protein synthesis-independent variant. We demonstrate that these neuroplasticity defects are reversible on suppression of new transgenic human Tau expression and surprisingly correlate with an increase in Tau aggregates. Inhibition of aggregate formation via acute oral administration of methylene blue results in re-emergence of deficient memory in animals with suppressed human Tau (hTau)0N4R expression. Significantly, aggregate inhibition results in PSD-M deficits in hTau0N3R-expressing animals, which present elevated aggregates and normal memory if untreated with methylene blue. Moreover, methylene blue-dependent hTau0N4R aggregate suppression within adult mushroom body neurons also resulted in emergence of memory deficits. Therefore, deficient PSD-M on human Tau expression in the Drosophila CNS is not a consequence of toxicity and neuronal loss because it is reversible. Furthermore, PSD-M deficits do not result from aggregate accumulation, which appears permissive, if not protective of processes underlying this memory variant.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Intraneuronal Tau aggregate accumulation has been proposed to underlie the cognitive decline and eventual neurotoxicity that characterizes the neurodegenerative dementias known as tauopathies. However, we show in three experimental settings that Tau aggregates in the Drosophila CNS do not impair but rather appear to facilitate processes underlying protein synthesis-dependent memory within affected neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ergina Vourkou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre Alexander Fleming, 16672 Vari, Greece
| | - Eva D Rouiz Ortega
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sumeet Mahajan
- School of Chemistry, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Amrit Mudher
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Efthimios M C Skoulakis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre Alexander Fleming, 16672 Vari, Greece
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Altered Mitochondrial Morphology and Bioenergetics in a New Yeast Model Expressing Aβ42. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020900. [PMID: 36674415 PMCID: PMC9862424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable, age-related neurological disorder, the most common form of dementia. Considering that AD is a multifactorial complex disease, simplified experimental models are required for its analysis. For this purpose, genetically modified Yarrowia lipolytica yeast strains expressing Aβ42 (the main biomarker of AD), eGFP-Aβ42, Aβ40, and eGFP-Aβ40 were constructed and examined. In contrast to the cells expressing eGFP and eGFP-Aβ40, retaining "normal" mitochondrial reticulum, eGFP-Aβ42 cells possessed a disturbed mitochondrial reticulum with fragmented mitochondria; this was partially restored by preincubation with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQThy. Aβ42 expression also elevated ROS production and cell death; low concentrations of SkQThy mitigated these effects. Aβ42 expression caused mitochondrial dysfunction as inferred from a loose coupling of respiration and phosphorylation, the decreased level of ATP production, and the enhanced rate of hydrogen peroxide formation. Therefore, we have obtained the same results described for other AD models. Based on an analysis of these and earlier data, we suggest that the mitochondrial fragmentation might be a biomarker of the earliest preclinical stage of AD with an effective therapy based on mitochondria- targeted antioxidants. The simple yeast model constructed can be a useful platform for the rapid screening of such compounds.
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Campero-Garcia LA, Cantoral-Ceballos JA, Martinez-Maldonado A, Luna-Muñoz J, Ontiveros-Torres MA, Gutierrez-Rodriguez AE. A Novel Automatic Quantification Protocol for Biomarkers of Tauopathies in the Hippocampus and Entorhinal Cortex of Post-Mortem Samples Using an Extended Semi-Siamese U-Net. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081131. [PMID: 36009757 PMCID: PMC9404816 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Tauopathies is a term coined to describe an umbrella of disorders characterized by abnormal Tau polypeptide deposits in neurons, glial cells, and extracellular space. In this work, we propose a novel quantification protocol for the study of tauopathies based on the U-Net neural network architecture. We also compare the proposed method against other state of the art variations of the U-Net to test its efficacy. Abstract Efforts have been made to diagnose and predict the course of different neurodegenerative diseases through various imaging techniques. Particularly tauopathies, where the tau polypeptide is a key participant in molecular pathogenesis, have significantly increased their morbidity and mortality in the human population over the years. However, the standard approach to exploring the phenomenon of neurodegeneration in tauopathies has not been directed at understanding the molecular mechanism that causes the aberrant polymeric and fibrillar behavior of the tau protein, which forms neurofibrillary tangles that replace neuronal populations in the hippocampal and cortical regions. The main objective of this work is to implement a novel quantification protocol for different biomarkers based on pathological post-translational modifications undergone by tau in the brains of patients with tauopathies. The quantification protocol consists of an adaptation of the U-Net neural network architecture. We used the resulting segmentation masks for the quantification of combined fluorescent signals of the different molecular changes tau underwent in neurofibrillary tangles. The quantification considers the neurofibrillary tangles as an individual study structure separated from the rest of the quadrant present in the images. This allows us to detect unconventional interaction signals between the different biomarkers. Our algorithm provides information that will be fundamental to understanding the pathogenesis of dementias with another computational analysis approach in subsequent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A. Campero-Garcia
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (L.A.C.-G.); (J.A.C.-C.)
| | - Jose A. Cantoral-Ceballos
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (L.A.C.-G.); (J.A.C.-C.)
| | | | - Jose Luna-Muñoz
- Faculty of Higher Studies Cuautitlan, Biological Sciences, National Dementia BioBank, UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
- National Brain Bank-UNPHU, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo 1423, Dominican Republic
| | - Miguel A. Ontiveros-Torres
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (L.A.C.-G.); (J.A.C.-C.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.O.-T.); (A.E.G.-R.)
| | - Andres E. Gutierrez-Rodriguez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (L.A.C.-G.); (J.A.C.-C.)
- Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
- Correspondence: (M.A.O.-T.); (A.E.G.-R.)
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Giong HK, Lee JS. Systematic expression profiling of neuropathy-related aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in zebrafish during development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 587:92-98. [PMID: 34872004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are a group of proteins, acting as transporters to transfer and attach the appropriate amino acids onto their cognate tRNAs for translation. So far, 18 out of 20 cytoplasmic ARSs are reported to be connected to different neuropathy disorders with multi-organ defects that are often accompanied with developmental delays. Thus, it is important to understand functions and impacts of ARSs at the whole organism level. Here, we systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal expression of 14 ars and 2 aimp genes during development in zebrafish that have not be previously reported. Not only in the brain, their dynamic expression patterns in several tissues such as in the muscles, liver and intestine suggest diverse roles in a wide range of development processes in addition to neuronal function, which is consistent with potential involvement in multiple syndrome diseases associated with ARS mutations. In particular, hinted by its robust expression pattern in the brain, we confirmed that aimp1 is required for the formation of cerebrovasculature by a loss-of-function approach. Overall, our systematic profiling data provides a useful basis for studying roles of ARSs during development and understanding their potential functions in the etiology of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Khoanh Giong
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, South Korea; KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea; Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Soo Lee
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, South Korea; KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea; Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Seoul, South Korea.
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