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Li B, Dettmer U. Interactions of alpha-synuclein with membranes in Parkinson's disease: Mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Neurobiol Dis 2024:106646. [PMID: 39181187 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106646] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, is marked by the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, neuronal lesions containing large amounts of the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein (αS). While the underlying mechanisms of disease progression in PD remain unclear, increasing evidence supports the importance of interactions between αS and cellular membranes in PD pathology. Therefore, understanding the αS-membrane interplay in health and disease is crucial for the development of therapeutic strategies. In this review, we (1) discuss key scenarios of pathological αS-membrane interactions; (2) present in detail therapeutic strategies explicitly reported to modify αS-membrane interactions; and (3) introduce additional therapeutic strategies that may involve aspects of interfering with αS-membrane interaction. This way, we aim to provide a holistic perspective on this important aspect of disease-modifying strategies for PD and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyi Li
- Wycombe Abbey, Buckinghamshire HP11 1PE, UK
| | - Ulf Dettmer
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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2
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Kumari S, Kamiya A, Karnik SS, Rohilla S, Dubey SK, Taliyan R. Novel Gene Therapy Approaches for Targeting Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focusing on Delivering Neurotrophic Genes. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04260-y. [PMID: 38856793 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04260-y] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative illnesses (NDDs) like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Huntington's disease have demonstrated considerable potential for gene therapy as a viable therapeutic intervention. NDDs are marked by the decline of neurons, resulting in changes in both behavior and pathology within the body. Strikingly, only symptomatic management is available without a cure for the NDDs. There is an unmet need for a permanent therapeutic approach. Many studies have been going on to target the newer therapeutic molecular targets for NDDs including gene-based therapy. Gene therapy has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits to a large number of patients with NDDs by offering mechanisms including neuroprotection, neuro-restoration, and rectification of pathogenic pathways. Gene therapy is a medical approach that aims to modify the biological characteristics of living cells by controlling the expression of specific genes in certain neurological disorders. Despite being the most complex and well-protected organ in the human body, there is clinical evidence to show that it is possible to specifically target the central nervous system (CNS). This provides hope for the prospective application of gene therapy in treating NDDs in the future. There are several advanced techniques available for using viral or non-viral vectors to deliver the therapeutic gene to the afflicted region. Neurotrophic factors (NTF) in the brain are crucial for the development, differentiation, and survival of neurons in the CNS, making them important in the context of various neurological illnesses. Gene delivery of NTF has the potential to be used as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurological problems in the brain. This review primarily focuses on the methodologies employed for delivering the genes of different NTFs to treat neurological disorders. These techniques are currently being explored as a viable therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. The article exclusively addresses gene delivery approaches and does not cover additional therapy strategies for NDDs. Gene therapy offers a promising alternative treatment for NDDs by stimulating neuronal growth instead of solely relying on symptom relief from drugs and their associated adverse effects. It can serve as a long-lasting and advantageous treatment choice for the management of NDDs. The likelihood of developing NDDs increases with age as a result of neuronal degradation in the brain. Gene therapy is an optimal approach for promoting neuronal growth through the introduction of nerve growth factor genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobha Kumari
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Senior Research Fellow (ICMR-SRF), Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Aayush Kamiya
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Senior Research Fellow (ICMR-SRF), Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sanika Sanjay Karnik
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Senior Research Fellow (ICMR-SRF), Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sumedha Rohilla
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Senior Research Fellow (ICMR-SRF), Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Rajeev Taliyan
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Senior Research Fellow (ICMR-SRF), Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India.
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3
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Meshref M, Ghaith HS, Hammad MA, Shalaby MMM, Ayasra F, Monib FA, Attia MS, Ebada MA, Elsayed H, Shalash A, Bahbah EI. The Role of RIN3 Gene in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis: a Comprehensive Review. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3528-3544. [PMID: 37995081 PMCID: PMC11087354 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03802-0] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a globally prevalent form of dementia that impacts diverse populations and is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and impairments in executive memory. Although the exact mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis remain unclear, it is commonly accepted that the aggregation of misfolded proteins, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles, plays a critical role. Additionally, AD is a multifactorial condition influenced by various genetic factors and can manifest as either early-onset AD (EOAD) or late-onset AD (LOAD), each associated with specific gene variants. One gene of particular interest in both EOAD and LOAD is RIN3, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. This gene plays a multifaceted role in AD pathogenesis. Firstly, upregulation of RIN3 can result in endosomal enlargement and dysfunction, thereby facilitating the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Secondly, RIN3 has been shown to impact the PICLAM pathway, affecting transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier. Lastly, RIN3 has implications for immune-mediated responses, notably through its influence on the PTK2B gene. This review aims to provide a concise overview of AD and delve into the role of the RIN3 gene in its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Meshref
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Faris Ayasra
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | | | - Mohamed S Attia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | - Hanaa Elsayed
- Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ali Shalash
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eshak I Bahbah
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt.
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4
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Miyamoto E, Sato T, Matsubara T. Cyclization of Peptides Enhances the Inhibitory Activity against Ganglioside-Induced Aβ Fibril Formation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4199-4207. [PMID: 37971427 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00589] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the most common cause of dementia. It has been reported that the assembly of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) on the cell membrane is induced by the interaction of the Aβ monomer with gangliosides such as GM1. The ganglioside-bound Aβ (GAβ) complex acts as a seed to promote the toxic assembly of the Aβ fibrils. In a previous study, we found that a GM1 cluster-binding peptide (GCBP) specifically recognizes Aβ-sensitive ganglioside nanoclusters and inhibits the assembly of Aβ on a GM1-containing lipid membrane. In this study, cysteine-substituted double mutants of GCBP were designed and cyclized by intramolecular disulfide bond formation. Affinity assays indicated that one of the cyclic peptides had a higher affinity to a GM1-containing membrane compared to that of GCBP. Furthermore, surface topography analysis indicated that this peptide recognizes GM1 nanoclusters on the lipid membrane. An evaluation of the inhibitory kinetics indicated that the cyclic peptide could inhibit the formation of Aβ fibrils with an IC50 value of 1.2 fM, which is 10,000-fold higher than that of GCBP. The cyclic peptide was also shown to have a clearance effect on Aβ fibrils deposited on the lipid membrane and suppressed the formation of toxic Aβ assemblies. Our results indicate that the cyclic peptide that binds to the Aβ-sensitive ganglioside nanocluster is a potential novel inhibitor of ganglioside-induced Aβ assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Miyamoto
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Toshinori Sato
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Matsubara
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
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Suteanu-Simulescu A, Sarbu M, Ica R, Petrica L, Zamfir AD. Ganglioside analysis in body fluids by liquid-phase separation techniques hyphenated to mass spectrometry. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:501-520. [PMID: 36416190 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200229] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The expression of gangliosides in central nervous system is a few times higher than in the extraneural tissue, a characteristic highlighting their major role at this level. Although in very low amounts, gangliosides are ubiquitously distributed in body fluids too, where, depending on many factors, including pathological states, their composition fluctuates, thus having diagnostic value. Ganglioside investigation in biological fluids, which, except for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), may be sampled noninvasively, was for years impeded by the limited sensitivity of the analytical instrumentation available in glycomics. However, because the last decade has witnessed significant developments in biological mass spectrometry (MS) and the hyphenated separation techniques, marked by a major increase in sensitivity, reproducibility, and data reliability, ganglioside research started to be focused on biofluid analysis by separation techniques coupled to MS. In this context, our review presents the achievements in this emerging field of gangliosidomics, with a particular emphasis on modern liquid chromatography (LC), thin-layer chromatography, hydrophilic interaction LC, and ion mobility separation coupled to high-performance MS, as well as the results generated by these systems and allied experimental procedures in profiling and structural analysis of gangliosides in healthy or diseased body fluids, such as CSF, plasma/serum, and milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Suteanu-Simulescu
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Nephrology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Nephrology, County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania.,Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mirela Sarbu
- Department of Condensed Matter, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Ica
- Department of Condensed Matter, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Physics, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ligia Petrica
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Nephrology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Nephrology, County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania.,Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Neurosciences, Centre for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alina Diana Zamfir
- Department of Condensed Matter, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Technical and Natural Sciences, "Aurel Vlaicu" University of Arad, Arad, Romania
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AmyP53 Prevents the Formation of Neurotoxic β-Amyloid Oligomers through an Unprecedent Mechanism of Interaction with Gangliosides: Insights for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021760. [PMID: 36675271 PMCID: PMC9864847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A broad range of data identify Ca2+-permeable amyloid pores as the most neurotoxic species of Alzheimer's β-amyloid peptide (Aβ1-42). Following the failures of clinical trials targeting amyloid plaques by immunotherapy, a consensus is gradually emerging to change the paradigm, the strategy, and the target to cure Alzheimer's disease. In this context, the therapeutic peptide AmyP53 was designed to prevent amyloid pore formation driven by lipid raft microdomains of the plasma membrane. Here, we show that AmyP53 outcompetes Aβ1-42 binding to lipid rafts through a unique mode of interaction with gangliosides. Using a combination of cellular, physicochemical, and in silico approaches, we unraveled the mechanism of action of AmyP53 at the atomic, molecular, and cellular levels. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) indicated that AmyP53 rapidly adapts its conformation to gangliosides for an optimal interaction at the periphery of a lipid raft, where amyloid pore formation occurs. Hence, we define it as an adaptive peptide. Our results describe for the first time the kinetics of AmyP53 interaction with lipid raft gangliosides at the atomic level. Physicochemical studies and in silico simulations indicated that Aβ1-42 cannot interact with lipid rafts in presence of AmyP53. These data demonstrated that AmyP53 prevents amyloid pore formation and cellular Ca2+ entry by competitive inhibition of Aβ1-42 binding to lipid raft gangliosides. The molecular details of AmyP53 action revealed an unprecedent mechanism of interaction with lipid rafts, offering innovative therapeutic opportunities for lipid raft and ganglioside-associated diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related proteinopathies.
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Fantini J, Chahinian H, Yahi N. A Vaccine Strategy Based on the Identification of an Annular Ganglioside Binding Motif in Monkeypox Virus Protein E8L. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112531. [PMID: 36423140 PMCID: PMC9693861 DOI: 10.3390/v14112531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent outbreak of Monkeypox virus requires the development of a vaccine specifically directed against this virus as quickly as possible. We propose here a new strategy based on a two-step analysis combining (i) the search for binding domains of viral proteins to gangliosides present in lipid rafts of host cells, and (ii) B epitope predictions. Based on previous studies of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 proteins, we show that the Monkeypox virus cell surface-binding protein E8L possesses a ganglioside-binding motif consisting of several subsites forming a ring structure. The binding of the E8L protein to a cluster of gangliosides GM1 mimicking a lipid raft domain is driven by both shape and electrostatic surface potential complementarities. An induced-fit mechanism unmasks selected amino acid side chains of the motif without significantly affecting the secondary structure of the protein. The ganglioside-binding motif overlaps three potential linear B epitopes that are well exposed on the unbound E8L surface that faces the host cell membrane. This situation is ideal for generating neutralizing antibodies. We thus suggest using these three sequences derived from the E8L protein as immunogens in a vaccine formulation (recombinant protein, synthetic peptides or genetically based) specific for Monkeypox virus. This lipid raft/ganglioside-based strategy could be used for developing therapeutic and vaccine responses to future virus outbreaks, in parallel to existing solutions.
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Di Scala C, Armstrong N, Chahinian H, Chabrière E, Fantini J, Yahi N. AmyP53, a Therapeutic Peptide Candidate for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease: Safety, Stability, Pharmacokinetics Parameters and Nose-to Brain Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113383. [PMID: 36362170 PMCID: PMC9654333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are a major public health issue. Despite decades of research efforts, we are still seeking an efficient cure for these pathologies. The initial paradigm of large aggregates of amyloid proteins (amyloid plaques, Lewis bodies) as the root cause of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases has been mostly dismissed. Instead, membrane-bound oligomers forming Ca2+-permeable amyloid pores are now considered appropriate targets for these diseases. Over the last 20 years, our group deciphered the molecular mechanisms of amyloid pore formation, which appeared to involve a common pathway for all amyloid proteins, including Aβ (Alzheimer) and α-synuclein (Parkinson). We then designed a short peptide (AmyP53), which prevents amyloid pore formation by targeting gangliosides, the plasma membrane receptors of amyloid proteins. Herein, we show that aqueous solutions of AmyP53 are remarkably stable upon storage at temperatures up to 45 °C for several months. AmyP53 appeared to be more stable in whole blood than in plasma. Pharmacokinetics studies in rats demonstrated that the peptide can rapidly and safely reach the brain after intranasal administration. The data suggest both the direct transport of AmyP53 via the olfactory bulb (and/or the trigeminal nerve) and an indirect transport via the circulation and the blood–brain barrier. In vitro experiments confirmed that AmyP53 is as active as cargo peptides in crossing the blood–brain barrier, consistent with its amino acid sequence specificities and physicochemical properties. Overall, these data open a route for the use of a nasal spray formulation of AmyP53 for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in future clinical trials in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Di Scala
- Neuroscience Center—HiLIFE, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nicholas Armstrong
- IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Henri Chahinian
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille University, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Eric Chabrière
- IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jacques Fantini
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille University, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Nouara Yahi
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille University, 13015 Marseille, France
- Correspondence:
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Azzaz F, Yahi N, Chahinian H, Fantini J. The Epigenetic Dimension of Protein Structure Is an Intrinsic Weakness of the AlphaFold Program. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101527. [PMID: 36291736 PMCID: PMC9599222 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important lessons we have learned from sequencing the human genome is that not all proteins have a 3D structure. In fact, a large part of the human proteome is made up of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) which can adopt multiple structures, and therefore, multiple functions, depending on the ligands with which they interact. Under these conditions, one can wonder about the value of algorithms developed for predicting the structure of proteins, in particular AlphaFold, an AI which claims to have solved the problem of protein structure. In a recent study, we highlighted a particular weakness of AlphaFold for membrane proteins. Based on this observation, we have proposed a paradigm, referred to as “Epigenetic Dimension of Protein Structure” (EDPS), which takes into account all environmental parameters that control the structure of a protein beyond the amino acid sequence (hence “epigenetic”). In this new study, we compare the reliability of the AlphaFold and Robetta algorithms’ predictions for a new set of membrane proteins involved in human pathologies. We found that Robetta was generally more accurate than AlphaFold for ascribing a membrane-compatible topology. Raft lipids (e.g., gangliosides), which control the structural dynamics of membrane protein structure through chaperone effects, were identified as major actors of the EDPS paradigm. We conclude that the epigenetic dimension of a protein structure is an intrinsic weakness of AI-based protein structure prediction, especially AlphaFold, which warrants further development.
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Oláh J, Szénási T, Lehotzky A, Norris V, Ovádi J. Challenges in Discovering Drugs That Target the Protein-Protein Interactions of Disordered Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031550. [PMID: 35163473 PMCID: PMC8835748 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) outnumber proteins and are crucial to many fundamental processes; in consequence, PPIs are associated with several pathological conditions including neurodegeneration and modulating them by drugs constitutes a potentially major class of therapy. Classically, however, the discovery of small molecules for use as drugs entails targeting individual proteins rather than targeting PPIs. This is largely because discovering small molecules to modulate PPIs has been seen as extremely challenging. Here, we review the difficulties and limitations of strategies to discover drugs that target PPIs directly or indirectly, taking as examples the disordered proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Oláh
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.O.); (T.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Tibor Szénási
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.O.); (T.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Attila Lehotzky
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.O.); (T.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Victor Norris
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment, University of Rouen, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan, France;
| | - Judit Ovádi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.O.); (T.S.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Gangliosides as Biomarkers of Human Brain Diseases: Trends in Discovery and Characterization by High-Performance Mass Spectrometry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020693. [PMID: 35054879 PMCID: PMC8775466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gangliosides are effective biochemical markers of brain pathologies, being also in the focus of research as potential therapeutic targets. Accurate brain ganglioside mapping is an essential requirement for correlating the specificity of their composition with a certain pathological state and establishing a well-defined set of biomarkers. Among all bioanalytical methods conceived for this purpose, mass spectrometry (MS) has developed into one of the most valuable, due to the wealth and consistency of structural information provided. In this context, the present article reviews the achievements of MS in discovery and structural analysis of gangliosides associated with severe brain pathologies. The first part is dedicated to the contributions of MS in the assessment of ganglioside composition and role in the specific neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. A large subsequent section is devoted to cephalic disorders (CD), with an emphasis on the MS of gangliosides in anencephaly, the most common and severe disease in the CD spectrum. The last part is focused on the major accomplishments of MS-based methods in the discovery of ganglioside species, which are associated with primary and secondary brain tumors and may either facilitate an early diagnosis or represent target molecules for immunotherapy oriented against brain cancers.
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