Down syndrome critical region 1 enhances the proteolytic cleavage of calcineurin

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Trisomy 21 Phenotype

Extensive research has been conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the deregulated metabolic pathways in the development of trisomy 21 (T21) or Down syndrome. This research has shed light on the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the manifestation of the T21 phenotype. Although in vivo studies have shown promising results in mitigating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, there is currently a lack of introduced antioxidant treatment options targeting cognitive impairments associated with T21. To address this gap, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to provide an updated overview of the involvement of oxidative stress in T21. The review aimed to summarize the insights into the pathogenesis of the Down syndrome phenotype and present the findings of recent innovative research that focuses on improving cognitive function in T21 through various antioxidant interventions. By examining the existing literature, this research seeks to provide a holistic understanding of the role oxidative stress plays in the development of T21 and to explore novel approaches that target multiple aspects of antioxidant intervention to improve cognitive function in individuals with Down syndrome. The guides -base systematic review process (Hutton et al. 2015).

Signalling Pathways Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease Neurodegeneration in Individuals with and without Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS), the most common cause of intellectual disability of genetic origin, is characterized by alterations in central nervous system morphology and function that appear from early prenatal stages. However, by the fourth decade of life, all individuals with DS develop neuropathology identical to that found in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles due to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, loss of neurons and synapses, reduced neurogenesis, enhanced oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation. It has been proposed that DS could be a useful model for studying the etiopathology of AD and to search for therapeutic targets. There is increasing evidence that the neuropathological events associated with AD are interrelated and that many of them not only are implicated in the onset of this pathology but are also a consequence of other alterations. Thus, a feedback mechanism exists between them. In this review, we summarize the signalling pathways implicated in each of the main neuropathological aspects of AD in individuals with and without DS as well as the interrelation of these pathways.

Combination of Genetics and Nanotechnology for Down Syndrome Modification: A Potential Hypothesis and Review of the Literature

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders in humans. The use of new approaches in genetic engineering and nanotechnology methods in combination with natural cellular phenomenon can modify the disease in affected people. We consider two CRISPR/Cas9 systems to cut a specific region from short arm of the chromosome 21 (Chr21) and replace it with a novel designed DNA construct, containing the essential genes in chromatin remodeling for inactivating of an extra Chr21. This requires mimicking of the natural cellular pattern for inactivation of the extra X chromosome in females. By means of controlled dosage of an appropriate Nano-carrier (a surface engineered Poly D, L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) for integrating the relevant construct in Trisomy21 brain cell culture media and then in DS mouse model, we would be able to evaluate the modification and the reduction of the active extra Chr21 and in turn reduce substantial adverse effects of the disease, like intellectual disabilities. The hypothesis and study seek new insights in Down syndrome modification.

The neuronal and endocrine roles of RCAN1 in health and disease

The regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) was first discovered as a gene located on human chromosome 21, expressed in neurons and overexpressed in the brains of Down syndrome individuals. Increased expression of RCAN1 has been linked with not only Down syndrome-associated pathology but also an associated neurological disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, in which neuronal RCAN1 expression is also increased. RCAN1 has additionally been demonstrated to affect other cell types including endocrine cells, with links to the pathogenesis of β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. The primary functions of RCAN1 relate to the inhibition of the phosphatase calcineurin, and to the regulation of mitochondrial function. Various forms of cellular stress such as reactive oxygen species and hyperglycaemia cause transient increases in RCAN1 expression. The short term (hours to days) induction of RCAN1 expression is generally thought to have a protective effect by regulating the expression of pro-survival genes in multiple cell types, many of which are mediated via the calcineurin/NFAT transcriptional pathway. However, strong evidence also supports the notion that chronic (weeks-years) overexpression of RCAN1 has a detrimental effect on cells and that this may drive pathophysiological changes in neurons and endocrine cells linked to Down syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease and type 2 diabetes. Here we review the evidence related to these roles of RCAN1 in neurons and endocrine cells and their relationship to these human health disorders.

Calcineurin and Sorting-Related Receptor with A-Type Repeats Interact to Regulate the Renal Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ Cotransporter

The furosemide-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-)-cotransporter (NKCC2) is crucial for NaCl reabsorption in kidney thick ascending limb (TAL) and drives the urine concentrating mechanism. NKCC2 activity is modulated by N-terminal phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Serine-threonine kinases that activate NKCC2 have been identified, but less is known about phosphatases that deactivate NKCC2. Inhibition of calcineurin phosphatase has been shown to stimulate transport in the TAL and the distal convoluted tubule. Here, we identified NKCC2 as a target of the calcineurin Aβ isoform. Short-term cyclosporine administration in mice augmented the abundance of phospho-NKCC2, and treatment of isolated TAL with cyclosporine increased the chloride affinity and transport activity of NKCC2. Because sorting-related receptor with A-type repeats (SORLA) may affect NKCC2 phosphoregulation, we used SORLA-knockout mice to test whether SORLA is involved in calcineurin-dependent modulation of NKCC2. SORLA-deficient mice showed more calcineurin Aβ in the apical region of TAL cells and less NKCC2 phosphorylation and activity compared with littermate controls. In contrast, overexpression of SORLA in cultured cells reduced the abundance of endogenous calcineurin Aβ. Cyclosporine administration rapidly normalized the abundance of phospho-NKCC2 in SORLA-deficient mice, and a functional interaction between calcineurin Aβ and SORLA was further corroborated by binding assays in rat kidney extracts. In summary, we have shown that calcineurin Aβ and SORLA are key components in the phosphoregulation of NKCC2. These results may have clinical implications for immunosuppressive therapy using calcineurin inhibitors.

Aberrant expression of RCAN1 in Alzheimer's pathogenesis: a new molecular mechanism and a novel drug target

AD, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Patients with AD are characterized by three hallmarks of neuropathology including neuritic plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neuronal loss. Growing evidences indicate that dysregulation of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Aberrant RCAN1 expression facilitates neuronal apoptosis and Tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to neuronal loss and neurofibrillary tangle formation. This review aims to describe the recent advances of the regulation of RCAN1 expression and its physiological functions. Moreover, the AD risk factors-induced RCAN1 dysregulation and its role in promoting neuronal loss, synaptic impairments and neurofibrillary tangle formation are summarized. Furthermore, we provide an outlook into the effects of RCAN1 dysregulation on APP processing, Aβ generation and neuritic plaque formation, and the possible underlying mechanisms, as well as the potential of targeting RCAN1 as a new therapeutic approach.

The regulator of calcineurin (RCAN1) an important factor involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases development

Atherosclerosis, one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases, is a complex process that involves manifold factors. Besides the vascular lipids accumulation, inflammatory factors could be considered as a proatherogenic factor - RCAN1. RCAN1 is a regulator of calcineurin, both of them being calcium dependent proteins. Recent studies have shown that RCAN1 has an important role in heart valve development. In the same time researchers found that, the atherosclerotic plaques have an up-regulated RCAN1 gene expression. In the near future, it is desirable to elucidate the RCAN1 function and classify it as a possible biochemical marker to diagnose infancy atherosclerosis.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and Down's syndrome: is there a role for coenzyme Q(10) ?

Structural changes and abnormal function of mitochondria have been documented in Down's syndrome (DS) cells, patients, and animal models. DS cells in culture exhibit a wide array of functional mitochondrial abnormalities including reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced ATP production, and decreased oxido-reductase activity. New research has also brought to central stage the prominent role of oxidative stress in this condition. This review focuses on recent advances in the field with a particular emphasis on novel translational approaches involving the utilization of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10) ) to treat a variety of clinical phenotypes associated with DS that are linked to increased oxidative stress and energy deficits. CoQ(10) has already provided promising results in several different conditions associated with altered energy metabolism and oxidative stress in the CNS. Two studies conducted in Ancona investigated the effect of CoQ(10) treatment on DNA damage in DS patients. Although the effect of CoQ(10) was evidenced only at single cell level, the treatment affected the distribution of cells according to their content in oxidized bases. In fact, it produced a strong negative correlation linking cellular CoQ(10) content and the amount of oxidized purines. Results suggest that the effect of CoQ(10) treatment in DS not only reflects antioxidant efficacy, but likely modulates DNA repair mechanisms.