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Zubčić K, Franić D, Pravica M, Hof PR, Šimić G, Boban M. Effects of heterologous human tau protein expression in yeast models of proteotoxic stress response. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14304. [PMID: 37341072 PMCID: PMC11163194 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary histological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles, which are large aggregates of tau protein. Aging is the primary risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease, however, the underlying causes of tau protein aggregation and toxicity are unclear. AIMS Here we investigated tau aggregation and toxicity under the conditions of compromised protein homeostasis. METHODS We used heterologous expression of human tau protein in the unicellular eukaryote yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with evolutionarily conserved protein quality control pathways and examined tau-dependent toxicity and aggregation using growth assays, fluorescence microscopy, and a split luciferase-based reporter NanoBiT. RESULTS Tau protein expressed in yeast under mild proteotoxic stress, or in mutants with impaired pathways for proteotoxic stress response, did not lead to synthetic toxicity or the formation of obvious aggregates. Chronologically old cells also did not develop observable tau aggregates. Our examination of tau oligomerization in living cells using NanoBiT reporter suggests that tau does not form significant levels of oligomers under basal conditions or under mild proteotoxic stress. CONCLUSION Together our data suggest that human tau protein does not represent a major burden to the protein quality control system in yeast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Zubčić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Dina Franić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Mihaela Pravica
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's DiseaseFriedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Goran Šimić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Mirta Boban
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
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Waheed Z, Choudhary J, Jatala FH, Fatimah, Noor A, Zerr I, Zafar S. The Role of Tau Proteoforms in Health and Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:5155-5166. [PMID: 37266762 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03387-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated binding protein in the nervous system that is known for its role in stabilizing microtubules throughout the nerve cell. It accumulates as β-sheet-rich aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to an array of different pathologies. Six splice variants of this protein, generated from the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene, are expressed in the brain. Amongst these variants, 0N3R, is prominent during fetal development, while the rest, 0N4R, 1N3R, 1N4R, 2N3R, and 2N4R, are expressed in postnatal stages. Tau isoforms play their role separately or in combination with others to contribute to one or multiple neurodegenerative disorders and clinical syndromes. For instance, in Alzheimer's disease and a subset of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)-MAPT (i.e., R406W and V337M), both 3R and 4R isoforms are involved; therefore, they are called 3R/4R mix tauopathies. On the other hand, 4R isoforms are aggregated in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and a majority of FTLD-MAPT and these diseases are called 4R tauopathies. Similarly, Pick's disease has an association with 3R tau isoforms and is thereby referred to as 3R tauopathy. Unlike 3R isoforms, the 4R variants have a faster rate of aggregation that accelerates the associated neurodegenerative mechanisms. Moreover, post-translational modifications of each isoform occur at a different rate and dictate their physiological and pathological attributes. The smallest tau isoform (0N3R) is highly phosphorylated in the fetal brain but does not lead to the generation of aggregates. On the other hand, proteoforms in the adult human brain undergo aggregation upon their phosphorylation and glycation. Expanding on this knowledge, this article aims to review the physiological and pathological roles of tau isoforms and their underlying mechanisms that result in neurological deficits. Physiological and pathological relevance of microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT): Tau exists as six splice variants in the brain, each differing with respect to expression, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and aggregation kinetics. Physiologically, they are involved in the stabilization of microtubules that form the molecular highways for axonal transport. However, an imbalance in their expression and the associated PTMs leads to a disruption in their physiological function through the formation of neurofibrillary tangles that accumulate in various regions of the brain and contribute to several types of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuha Waheed
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Jawaria Choudhary
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Faria Hasan Jatala
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Fatimah
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Aneeqa Noor
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan.
| | - Inga Zerr
- Clinical Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Saima Zafar
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, Sector H-12, Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan
- Clinical Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
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Mroczek K, Fernando S, Fisher PR, Annesley SJ. Interactions and Cytotoxicity of Human Neurodegeneration- Associated Proteins Tau and α-Synuclein in the Simple Model Dictyostelium discoideum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:741662. [PMID: 34552934 PMCID: PMC8450459 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.741662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The abnormal accumulation of the tau protein into aggregates is a hallmark in neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies. In normal conditions, tau binds off and on microtubules aiding in their assembly and stability dependent on the phosphorylation state of the protein. In disease-affected neurons, hyperphosphorylation leads to the accumulation of the tau protein into aggregates, mainly neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) which have been seen to colocalise with other protein aggregates in neurodegeneration. One such protein is α-synuclein, the main constituent of Lewy bodies (LB), a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). In many neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, the colocalisation of tau and α-synuclein has been observed, suggesting possible interactions between the two proteins. To explore the cytotoxicity and interactions between these two proteins, we expressed full length human tau and α-synuclein in Dictyostelium discoideum alone, and in combination. We show that tau is phosphorylated in D. discoideum and colocalises closely (within 40 nm) with tubulin throughout the cytoplasm of the cell as well as with α-synuclein at the cortex. Expressing wild type α-synuclein alone caused inhibited growth on bacterial lawns, phagocytosis and intracellular Legionella proliferation rates, but activated mitochondrial respiration and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption. The expression of tau alone impaired multicellular morphogenesis, axenic growth and phototaxis, while enhancing intracellular Legionella proliferation. Direct respirometric assays showed that tau impairs mitochondrial ATP synthesis and increased the "proton leak," while having no impact on respiratory complex I or II function. In most cases depending on the phenotype, the coexpression of tau and α-synuclein exacerbated (phototaxis, fruiting body morphology), or reversed (phagocytosis, growth on plates, mitochondrial respiratory function, Legionella proliferation) the defects caused by either tau or α-synuclein expressed individually. Proteomics data revealed distinct patterns of dysregulation in strains ectopically expressing tau or α-synuclein or both, but down regulation of expression of cytoskeletal proteins was apparent in all three groups and most evident in the strain expressing both proteins. These results indicate that tau and α-synuclein exhibit different but overlapping patterns of intracellular localisation, that they individually exert distinct but overlapping patterns of cytotoxic effects and that they interact, probably physically in the cell cortex as well as directly or indirectly in affecting some phenotypes. The results show the efficacy of using D. discoideum as a model to study the interaction of proteins involved in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sarah J. Annesley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Losev Y, Frenkel-Pinter M, Abu-Hussien M, Viswanathan GK, Elyashiv-Revivo D, Geries R, Khalaila I, Gazit E, Segal D. Differential effects of putative N-glycosylation sites in human Tau on Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2231-2245. [PMID: 32926180 PMCID: PMC11072875 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03643-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid assemblies of Tau are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD Tau undergoes several abnormal post-translational modifications, including hyperphosphorylation and glycosylation, which impact disease progression. N-glycosylated Tau was reported to be found in AD brain tissues but not in healthy counterparts. This is surprising since Tau is a cytosolic protein whereas N-glycosylation occurs in the ER-Golgi. Previous in vitro studies indicated that N-glycosylation of Tau facilitated its phosphorylation and contributed to maintenance of its Paired Helical Filament structure. However, the specific Tau residue(s) that undergo N-glycosylation and their effect on Tau-engendered pathology are unknown. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis indicated that both N359 and N410 were N-glycosylated in wild-type (WT) human Tau (hTau) expressed in human SH-SY5Y cells. Asparagine to glutamine mutants, which cannot undergo N-glycosylation, at each of three putative N-glycosylation sites in hTau (N167Q, N359Q, and N410Q) were generated and expressed in SH-SY5Y cells and in transgenic Drosophila. The mutants modulated the levels of hTau phosphorylation in a site-dependent manner in both cell and fly models. Additionally, N359Q ameliorated, whereas N410Q exacerbated various aspects of hTau-engendered neurodegeneration in transgenic flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Losev
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moran Frenkel-Pinter
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Malak Abu-Hussien
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guru Krishnakumar Viswanathan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Donna Elyashiv-Revivo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rana Geries
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Isam Khalaila
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Biophysical studies of protein misfolding and aggregation in in vivo models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Q Rev Biophys 2020; 49:e22. [PMID: 32493529 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583520000025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), are characterised by the formation of aberrant assemblies of misfolded proteins. The discovery of disease-modifying drugs for these disorders is challenging, in part because we still have a limited understanding of their molecular origins. In this review, we discuss how biophysical approaches can help explain the formation of the aberrant conformational states of proteins whose neurotoxic effects underlie these diseases. We discuss in particular models based on the transgenic expression of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in AD, and α-synuclein in PD. Because biophysical methods have enabled an accurate quantification and a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein misfolding and aggregation in vitro, we expect that the further development of these methods to probe directly the corresponding mechanisms in vivo will open effective routes for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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Chernoff YO, Grizel AV, Rubel AA, Zelinsky AA, Chandramowlishwaran P, Chernova TA. Application of yeast to studying amyloid and prion diseases. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2020; 105:293-380. [PMID: 32560789 PMCID: PMC7527210 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyloids are fibrous cross-β protein aggregates that are capable of proliferation via nucleated polymerization. Amyloid conformation likely represents an ancient protein fold and is linked to various biological or pathological manifestations. Self-perpetuating amyloid-based protein conformers provide a molecular basis for transmissible (infectious or heritable) protein isoforms, termed prions. Amyloids and prions, as well as other types of misfolded aggregated proteins are associated with a variety of devastating mammalian and human diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and transthyretinopathies. In yeast and fungi, amyloid-based prions control phenotypically detectable heritable traits. Simplicity of cultivation requirements and availability of powerful genetic approaches makes yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae an excellent model system for studying molecular and cellular mechanisms governing amyloid formation and propagation. Genetic techniques allowing for the expression of mammalian or human amyloidogenic and prionogenic proteins in yeast enable researchers to capitalize on yeast advantages for characterization of the properties of disease-related proteins. Chimeric constructs employing mammalian and human aggregation-prone proteins or domains, fused to fluorophores or to endogenous yeast proteins allow for cytological or phenotypic detection of disease-related protein aggregation in yeast cells. Yeast systems are amenable to high-throughput screening for antagonists of amyloid formation, propagation and/or toxicity. This review summarizes up to date achievements of yeast assays in application to studying mammalian and human disease-related aggregating proteins, and discusses both limitations and further perspectives of yeast-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury O Chernoff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States; Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Anastasia V Grizel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Aleksandr A Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Andrew A Zelinsky
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Tatiana A Chernova
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Rencus-Lazar S, DeRowe Y, Adsi H, Gazit E, Laor D. Yeast Models for the Study of Amyloid-Associated Disorders and Development of Future Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:15. [PMID: 30968029 PMCID: PMC6439353 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
First described almost two decades ago, the pioneering yeast models of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, have become well-established research tools, providing both basic mechanistic insights as well as a platform for the development of therapeutic agents. These maladies are associated with the formation of aggregative amyloid protein structures showing common characteristics, such as the assembly of soluble oligomeric species, binding of indicative dyes, and apoptotic cytotoxicity. The canonical yeast models have recently been expanded by the establishment of a model for type II diabetes, a non-neurological amyloid-associated disease. While these model systems require the exogenous expression of mammalian proteins in yeast, an additional amyloid-associated disease model, comprising solely mutations of endogenous yeast genes, has been recently described. Mutated in the adenine salvage pathway, this yeast model exhibits adenine accumulation, thereby recapitulating adenine inborn error of metabolism disorders. Moreover, in line with the recent extension of the amyloid hypothesis to include metabolite amyloids, in addition to protein-associated ones, the intracellular assembly of adenine amyloid-like structures has been demonstrated using this yeast model. In this review, we describe currently available yeast models of diverse amyloid-associated disorders, as well as their impact on our understanding of disease mechanisms and contribution to future potential drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Rencus-Lazar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yasmin DeRowe
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hanaa Adsi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,BLAVATNIK CENTER for Drug Discovery, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dana Laor
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Seynnaeve D, Vecchio MD, Fruhmann G, Verelst J, Cools M, Beckers J, Mulvihill DP, Winderickx J, Franssens V. Recent Insights on Alzheimer's Disease Originating from Yeast Models. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1947. [PMID: 29970827 PMCID: PMC6073265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [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: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review article, yeast model-based research advances regarding the role of Amyloid-β (Aβ), Tau and frameshift Ubiquitin UBB+1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are discussed. Despite having limitations with regard to intercellular and cognitive AD aspects, these models have clearly shown their added value as complementary models for the study of the molecular aspects of these proteins, including their interplay with AD-related cellular processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteostasis. Moreover, these yeast models have also shown their importance in translational research, e.g., in compound screenings and for AD diagnostics development. In addition to well-established Saccharomyces cerevisiae models, new upcoming Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida glabrata and Kluyveromyces lactis yeast models for Aβ and Tau are briefly described. Finally, traditional and more innovative research methodologies, e.g., for studying protein oligomerization/aggregation, are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Seynnaeve
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Mara Del Vecchio
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Gernot Fruhmann
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joke Verelst
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Melody Cools
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Daniel P Mulvihill
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, Kent, UK.
| | - Joris Winderickx
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Vanessa Franssens
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Fruhmann G, Seynnaeve D, Zheng J, Ven K, Molenberghs S, Wilms T, Liu B, Winderickx J, Franssens V. Yeast buddies helping to unravel the complexity of neurodegenerative disorders. Mech Ageing Dev 2017; 161:288-305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Heinisch JJ, Brandt R. Signaling pathways and posttranslational modifications of tau in Alzheimer's disease: the humanization of yeast cells. MICROBIAL CELL 2016; 3:135-146. [PMID: 28357346 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.04.489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, yeast have been frequently employed to study the molecular mechanisms of human neurodegenerative diseases, generally by means of heterologous expression of genes encoding the relevant hallmark proteins. However, it has become evident that substantial posttranslational modifications of many of these proteins are required for the development and progression of potentially disease relevant changes. This is exemplified by the neuronal tau proteins, which are critically involved in a class of neuro-degenerative diseases collectively called tauopathies and which includes Alz-heimer's disease (AD) as its most common representative. In the course of the disease, tau changes its phosphorylation state and becomes hyperphosphory-lated, gets truncated by proteolytic cleavage, is subject to O-glycosylation, sumoylation, ubiquitinylation, acetylation and some other modifications. This poses the important question, which of these posttranslational modifications are naturally occurring in the yeast model or can be reconstituted by heterol-ogous gene expression. Here, we present an overview on common modifica-tions as they occur in tau during AD, summarize their potential relevance with respect to disease mechanisms and refer to the native yeast enzyme orthologs capable to perform these modifications. We will also discuss potential approaches to humanize yeast in order to create modification patterns resembling the situation in mammalian cells, which could enhance the value of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis as disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen J Heinisch
- Universität Osnabrück, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, AG Genetik, Barbarastr. 11, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Roland Brandt
- Universität Osnabrück, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, AG Neurobiologie, Barbarastr. 11, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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Heinisch JJ, Brandt R. Signaling pathways and posttranslational modifications of tau in Alzheimer's disease: the humanization of yeast cells. MICROBIAL CELL 2016. [PMID: 28357346 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, yeast have been frequently employed to study the molecular mechanisms of human neurodegenerative diseases, generally by means of heterologous expression of genes encoding the relevant hallmark proteins. However, it has become evident that substantial posttranslational modifications of many of these proteins are required for the development and progression of potentially disease relevant changes. This is exemplified by the neuronal tau proteins, which are critically involved in a class of neuro-degenerative diseases collectively called tauopathies and which includes Alz-heimer's disease (AD) as its most common representative. In the course of the disease, tau changes its phosphorylation state and becomes hyperphosphory-lated, gets truncated by proteolytic cleavage, is subject to O-glycosylation, sumoylation, ubiquitinylation, acetylation and some other modifications. This poses the important question, which of these posttranslational modifications are naturally occurring in the yeast model or can be reconstituted by heterol-ogous gene expression. Here, we present an overview on common modifica-tions as they occur in tau during AD, summarize their potential relevance with respect to disease mechanisms and refer to the native yeast enzyme orthologs capable to perform these modifications. We will also discuss potential approaches to humanize yeast in order to create modification patterns resembling the situation in mammalian cells, which could enhance the value of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis as disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen J Heinisch
- Universität Osnabrück, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, AG Genetik, Barbarastr. 11, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Roland Brandt
- Universität Osnabrück, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, AG Neurobiologie, Barbarastr. 11, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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Liu G, Liu C, Zhang XN. Comparison of the neuropsychological mechanisms of 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist against electroconvulsive therapy-induced learning and memory impairment in depressed rats. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:3297-3308. [PMID: 25998151 PMCID: PMC4526078 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the neurophysiological mechanisms of the 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist against learning and memory impairment, induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A total of 48 adult depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were randomly divided into six experimental groups: i) saline; ii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801; iii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801 and a course of ECT; iv) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol; v) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and a course of ECT; and vi) saline and a course of ECT. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed using a Morris water maze 1 day after a course of ECT. The hippocampus was removed 1 day after assessment using the Morris water maze assessment. The content of glutamate in the hippocampus was detected using high‑performance liquid chromatography. The expression levels of p‑AT8Ser202 and GSK‑3β1H8 in the hippocampus were determined using immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the 2,6‑diisopropylphenol NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‑801 and ECT induced learning and memory impairment in the depressed rats. The glutamate content was significantly upregulated by ECT, reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol, and was unaffected by the NMDA receptor antagonist in the hippocampus of the depressed rats. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus was upregulated by ECT, but was reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and the MK‑801 NMDA receptor antagonist. It was also demonstrated that 2,6‑diisopropylphenol prevented learning and memory impairment and reduced the hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, which was induced by eECT. GSK‑3β was found to be the key protein involved in this signaling pathway. The ECT reduced the learning and memory impairment, caused by hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, in the depressed rats by upregulating the glutamate content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Beijing Military Area of PLA, Beijing 100700, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin 300222, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Ning Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
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13
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Braun RJ. Ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis in yeast cells expressing neurotoxic proteins. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:8. [PMID: 25814926 PMCID: PMC4357299 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Critically impaired protein degradation is discussed to contribute to neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and motor neuron diseases. Misfolded, aggregated, or surplus proteins are efficiently degraded via distinct protein degradation pathways, including the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy, and vesicular trafficking. These pathways are regulated by covalent modification of target proteins with the small protein ubiquitin and are evolutionary highly conserved from humans to yeast. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an established model for deciphering mechanisms of protein degradation, and for the elucidation of pathways underlying programmed cell death. The expression of human neurotoxic proteins triggers cell death in yeast, with neurotoxic protein-specific differences. Therefore, yeast cell death models are suitable for analyzing the role of protein degradation pathways in modulating cell death upon expression of disease-causing proteins. This review summarizes which protein degradation pathways are affected in these yeast models, and how they are involved in the execution of cell death. I will discuss to which extent this mimics the situation in other neurotoxic models, and how this may contribute to a better understanding of human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf J Braun
- Institut für Zellbiologie, Universität Bayreuth Bayreuth, Germany
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14
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Rosseels J, Van den Brande J, Violet M, Jacobs D, Grognet P, Lopez J, Huvent I, Caldara M, Swinnen E, Papegaey A, Caillierez R, Buée-Scherrer V, Engelborghs S, Lippens G, Colin M, Buée L, Galas MC, Vanmechelen E, Winderickx J. Tau monoclonal antibody generation based on humanized yeast models: impact on Tau oligomerization and diagnostics. J Biol Chem 2014; 290:4059-74. [PMID: 25540200 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.627919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A link between Tau phosphorylation and aggregation has been shown in different models for Alzheimer disease, including yeast. We used human Tau purified from yeast models to generate new monoclonal antibodies, of which three were further characterized. The first antibody, ADx201, binds the Tau proline-rich region independently of the phosphorylation status, whereas the second, ADx215, detects an epitope formed by the Tau N terminus when Tau is not phosphorylated at Tyr(18). For the third antibody, ADx210, the binding site could not be determined because its epitope is probably conformational. All three antibodies stained tangle-like structures in different brain sections of THY-Tau22 transgenic mice and Alzheimer patients, and ADx201 and ADx210 also detected neuritic plaques in the cortex of the patient brains. In hippocampal homogenates from THY-Tau22 mice and cortex homogenates obtained from Alzheimer patients, ADx215 consistently stained specific low order Tau oligomers in diseased brain, which in size correspond to Tau dimers. ADx201 and ADx210 additionally reacted to higher order Tau oligomers and presumed prefibrillar structures in the patient samples. Our data further suggest that formation of the low order Tau oligomers marks an early disease stage that is initiated by Tau phosphorylation at N-terminal sites. Formation of higher order oligomers appears to require additional phosphorylation in the C terminus of Tau. When used to assess Tau levels in human cerebrospinal fluid, the antibodies permitted us to discriminate patients with Alzheimer disease or other dementia like vascular dementia, indicative that these antibodies hold promising diagnostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Rosseels
- From Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 Box 2433, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Jeff Van den Brande
- From Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 Box 2433, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium, ADx NeuroSciences NV, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 4, 9052 Ghent, Belgium, Fujirebio Europe, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 6, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marie Violet
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Dirk Jacobs
- ADx NeuroSciences NV, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 4, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pierre Grognet
- Fujirebio Europe, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 6, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Juan Lopez
- Université Lille Nord de France, 59000 Lille, France, CNRS, UMR8576 Structural and Functional Glycobiology, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Isabelle Huvent
- Université Lille Nord de France, 59000 Lille, France, CNRS, UMR8576 Structural and Functional Glycobiology, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Marina Caldara
- From Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 Box 2433, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Erwin Swinnen
- From Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 Box 2433, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Anthony Papegaey
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Raphaëlle Caillierez
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Valerie Buée-Scherrer
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- the Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (BIODEM), Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium, and the Department of Neurology and Memory Clinic, Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, 2660 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Lippens
- Université Lille Nord de France, 59000 Lille, France, CNRS, UMR8576 Structural and Functional Glycobiology, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Morvane Colin
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Luc Buée
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Marie-Christine Galas
- INSERM, UMR1172, JPArc, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Rue Polonovski, 59045 Lille, France, the Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Place de Verdun, 59045 Lille, France, the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Eugeen Vanmechelen
- ADx NeuroSciences NV, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 4, 9052 Ghent, Belgium,
| | - Joris Winderickx
- From Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 Box 2433, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium,
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15
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Van Assche R, Temmerman L, Dias DA, Boughton B, Boonen K, Braeckman BP, Schoofs L, Roessner U. Metabolic profiling of a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Alzheimer model. Metabolomics 2014; 11:477-486. [PMID: 25750603 PMCID: PMC4342517 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-014-0711-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, no early-onset biomarkers are currently available for Alzheimer's disease, a cureless neurodegenerative disease afflicting millions worldwide. In this study, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans were used to investigate changes in the metabolome after induced expression of amyloid-β. GC- and LC-MS-based platforms determined a total of 157 differential features. Some of these were identified using in-house (GC-MS) or public libraries (LC-MS), revealing changes in allantoin, cystathionine and tyrosine levels. Since C. elegans is far better suited to metabolomics studies than most other model systems, the accordance of these findings with vertebrate literature is promising and argues for further use of C. elegans as a model of human pathology in the study of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Van Assche
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel A Dias
- Metabolomics Australia, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Berin Boughton
- Metabolomics Australia, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kurt Boonen
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart P Braeckman
- Laboratory for Aging Physiology and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ute Roessner
- Metabolomics Australia, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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16
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Ciaccioli G, Martins A, Rodrigues C, Vieira H, Calado P. A powerful yeast model to investigate the synergistic interaction of α-synuclein and tau in neurodegeneration. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55848. [PMID: 23393603 PMCID: PMC3564910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies revealed consistent overlap between synucleinopathies and tauopathies, demonstrating that α-synuclein (ASYN) and tau co-localize in neurofibrillary tangles and in Lewy bodies from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients and corresponding animal models. Additionally, it has been shown that ASYN can act as an initiator of tau aggregation and phosphorylation and that these two proteins directly interact. Despite these evidences, the cellular pathway implicated in this synergistic interaction remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to create a yeast model where the concomitant expression of ASYN and tau can be used to perform genome wide screenings for the identification of genes that modulate this interaction, in order to shed light into the pathological mechanism of cell dysfunction and to provide new targets for future therapeutic intervention. We started by validating the synergistic toxicity of tau and ASYN co-expression in yeast, by developing episomal and integrative strains expressing WT and mutant forms of both proteins, alone or in combination. The episomal strains showed no differences in growth delay upon expression of ASYN isoforms (WT or A53T) alone or in combination with tau 2N/4R isoforms (WT or P301L). However, in these strains, the presence of ASYN led to increased tau insolubility and correlated with increased tau phosphorylation in S396/404, which is mainly mediated by RIM11, the human homolog of GSK3β in yeast. On the other hand, the integrative strains showed a strong synergistic toxic effect upon co-expression of ASYN WT and tau WT, which was related to high levels of intracellular ASYN inclusions and increased tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Taken together, the strains described in the present study are able to mimic relevant pathogenic features involved in neurodegeneration and are powerful tools to identify potential target genes able to modulate the synergistic pathway driven by ASYN and tau interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmario Ciaccioli
- BIOALVO, Serviços Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia S.A., Edificio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
- DEIO and BIOFig Center, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Martins
- BIOALVO, Serviços Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia S.A., Edificio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cátia Rodrigues
- BIOALVO, Serviços Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia S.A., Edificio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Vieira
- BIOALVO, Serviços Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia S.A., Edificio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
- DEIO and BIOFig Center, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Calado
- BIOALVO, Serviços Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia S.A., Edificio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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17
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Braun RJ. Mitochondrion-mediated cell death: dissecting yeast apoptosis for a better understanding of neurodegeneration. Front Oncol 2012; 2:182. [PMID: 23226681 PMCID: PMC3508457 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction are common hallmarks for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington diseases, and the motor neuron disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Damaged mitochondria pivotally contribute to neurotoxicity and neuronal cell death in these disorders, e.g., due to their inability to provide the high energy requirements for neurons, their generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and their induction of mitochondrion-mediated cell death pathways. Therefore, in-depth analyses of the underlying molecular pathways, including cellular mechanisms controlling the maintenance of mitochondrial function, is a prerequisite for a better understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an established model for deciphering mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and the distinct mitochondrial roles during apoptosis and programmed cell death. Cell death upon expression of various human neurotoxic proteins has been characterized in yeast, revealing neurotoxic protein-specific differences. This review summarizes how mitochondria are affected in these neurotoxic yeast models, and how they are involved in the execution and prevention of cell death. I will discuss to which extent this mimics the situation in other neurotoxic model systems, and how this may contribute to a better understanding of the mitochondrial roles in the human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf J Braun
- Institut für Zellbiologie, Universität Bayreuth Bayreuth, Germany
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18
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