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Schepers J, Löser T, Behl C. Lipids and α-Synuclein: adding further variables to the equation. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1455817. [PMID: 39188788 PMCID: PMC11345258 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1455817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of alpha-Synuclein (αSyn) has been connected to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), that are collected under the umbrella term synucleinopathies. The membrane binding abilities of αSyn to negatively charged phospholipids have been well described and are connected to putative physiological functions of αSyn. Consequently, αSyn-related neurodegeneration has been increasingly connected to changes in lipid metabolism and membrane lipid composition. Indeed, αSyn aggregation has been shown to be triggered by the presence of membranes in vitro, and some genetic risk factors for PD and DLB are associated with genes coding for proteins directly involved in lipid metabolism. At the same time, αSyn aggregation itself can cause alterations of cellular lipid composition and brain samples of patients also show altered lipid compositions. Thus, it is likely that there is a reciprocal influence between cellular lipid composition and αSyn aggregation, which can be further affected by environmental or genetic factors and ageing. Little is known about lipid changes during physiological ageing and regional differences of the lipid composition of the aged brain. In this review, we aim to summarise our current understanding of lipid changes in connection to αSyn and discuss open questions that need to be answered to further our knowledge of αSyn related neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian Behl
- The Autophagy Lab, Institute of Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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2
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Sanluca C, Spagnolo P, Mancinelli R, De Bartolo MI, Fava M, Maccarrone M, Carotti S, Gaudio E, Leuti A, Vivacqua G. Interaction between α-Synuclein and Bioactive Lipids: Neurodegeneration, Disease Biomarkers and Emerging Therapies. Metabolites 2024; 14:352. [PMID: 39057675 PMCID: PMC11278689 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14070352] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The present review provides a comprehensive examination of the intricate dynamics between α-synuclein, a protein crucially involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, and endogenously-produced bioactive lipids, which play a pivotal role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The interaction of α-synuclein with bioactive lipids is emerging as a critical factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, offering new insights into disease mechanisms and novel perspectives in the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We delve into the molecular pathways through which α-synuclein interacts with biological membranes and bioactive lipids, influencing the aggregation of α-synuclein and triggering neuroinflammatory responses, highlighting the potential of bioactive lipids as biomarkers for early disease detection and progression monitoring. Moreover, we explore innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the interaction between α-synuclein and bioactive lipids, including the development of small molecules and nutritional interventions. Finally, the review addresses the significance of the gut-to-brain axis in mediating the effects of bioactive lipids on α-synuclein pathology and discusses the role of altered gut lipid metabolism and microbiota composition in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The present review aims to underscore the potential of targeting α-synuclein-lipid interactions as a multifaceted approach for the detection and treatment of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sanluca
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy (S.C.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Spagnolo
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy (S.C.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Mancinelli
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic, Forensic and Locomotor Apparatus Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy (E.G.)
| | | | - Marina Fava
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Simone Carotti
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy (S.C.)
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic, Forensic and Locomotor Apparatus Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy (E.G.)
| | - Alessandro Leuti
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Vivacqua
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy (S.C.)
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3
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Fabi JP. The connection between gut microbiota and its metabolites with neurodegenerative diseases in humans. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:967-984. [PMID: 38848023 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-024-01369-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The aging of populations is a global phenomenon that follows a possible increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Huntington's diseases are some neurodegenerative disorders that aging could initiate or aggravate. Recent research has indicated that intestinal microbiota dysbiosis can trigger metabolism and brain functioning, contributing to the etiopathogenesis of those neurodegenerative diseases. The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites show significant functions in various aspects, such as the immune system modulation (development and maturation), the maintenance of the intestinal barrier integrity, the modulation of neuromuscular functions in the intestine, and the facilitation of essential metabolic processes for both the microbiota and humans. The primary evidence supporting the connection between intestinal microbiota and its metabolites with neurodegenerative diseases are epidemiological observations and animal models experimentation. This paper reviews up-to-date evidence on the correlation between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative diseases, with a specially focus on gut metabolites. Dysbiosis can increase inflammatory cytokines and bacterial metabolites, altering intestinal and blood-brain barrier permeability and causing neuroinflammation, thus facilitating the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical data supporting this evidence still needs to be improved. Most of the works found are descriptive and associated with the presence of phyla or species of bacteria with neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the limitations of recent research, the potential for elucidating clinical questions that have thus far eluded clarification within prevailing pathophysiological frameworks of health and disease is promising through investigation of the interplay between the host and microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Fabi
- Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508000, SP, Brazil.
- Food and Nutrition Research Center (NAPAN), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508080, SP, Brazil.
- Food Research Center (FoRC), CEPID-FAPESP (Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers, São Paulo Research Foundation), São Paulo, 05508080, SP, Brazil.
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4
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Walke G, Kumar R, Wittung‐Stafshede P. Copper ion incorporation in α-synuclein amyloids. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4956. [PMID: 38511511 PMCID: PMC10955613 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4956] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Copper ion dys-homeostasis is linked to neurodegenerative diseases involving amyloid formation. Even if many amyloidogenic proteins can bind copper ions as monomers, little is known about copper interactions with the resulting amyloid fibers. Here, we investigate copper interactions with α-synuclein, the amyloid-forming protein in Parkinson's disease. Copper (Cu(II)) binds tightly to monomeric α-synuclein in vitro involving the N-terminal amine and the side chain of His50. Using purified protein and biophysical methods in vitro, we reveal that copper ions are readily incorporated into the formed amyloid fibers when present at the start of aggregation reactions, and the metal ions also bind if added to pre-formed amyloids. Efficient incorporation is observed for α-synuclein variants with perturbation of either one of the high-affinity monomer copper-binding residues (i.e., N-terminus or His50) whereas a variant with both N-terminal acetylation and His50 substituted with Ala does not incorporate any copper into the amyloids. Both the morphology of the resulting α-synuclein amyloids (amyloid fiber pitch, secondary structure, proteinase sensitivity) and the copper chemical properties (redox activity, chemical potential) are altered when copper is incorporated into amyloids. We speculate that copper chelation by α-synuclein amyloids contributes to the observed copper dys-homeostasis (e.g., reduced bioavailable levels) in Parkinson's disease patients. At the same time, amyloid-copper interactions may be protective to neuronal cells as they will shield aberrantly free copper ions from promotion of toxic reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Walke
- Department of Life SciencesChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Life SciencesChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
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5
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Saremi S, Khajeh K. Amyloid fibril cytotoxicity and associated disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:265-290. [PMID: 38811083 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Misfolded proteins assemble into fibril structures that are called amyloids. Unlike usually folded proteins, misfolded fibrils are insoluble and deposit extracellularly or intracellularly. Misfolded proteins interrupt the function and structure of cells and cause amyloid disease. There is increasing evidence that the most pernicious species are oligomers. Misfolded proteins disrupt cell function and cause cytotoxicity by calcium imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Despite profound impacts on health, social, and economic factors, amyloid diseases remain untreatable. To develop new therapeutics and to understand the pathological manifestations of amyloidosis, research into the origin and pathology of amyloidosis is urgently needed. This chapter describes the basic concept of amyloid disease and the function of atypical amyloid deposits in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabereh Saremi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Geertsma HM, Fisk ZA, Sauline L, Prigent A, Kurgat K, Callaghan SM, Henderson MX, Rousseaux MWC. A topographical atlas of α-synuclein dosage and cell type-specific expression in adult mouse brain and peripheral organs. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:65. [PMID: 38504090 PMCID: PMC10951202 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00672-8] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and presents pathologically with Lewy pathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Lewy pathology contains aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn), a protein encoded by the SNCA gene which is also mutated or duplicated in a subset of familial PD cases. Due to its predominant presynaptic localization, immunostaining for the protein results in a diffuse reactivity pattern, providing little insight into the types of cells expressing αSyn. As a result, insight into αSyn expression-driven cellular vulnerability has been difficult to ascertain. Using a combination of knock-in mice that target αSyn to the nucleus (SncaNLS) and in situ hybridization of Snca in wild-type mice, we systematically mapped the topography and cell types expressing αSyn in the mouse brain, spinal cord, retina, and gut. We find a high degree of correlation between αSyn protein and RNA levels and further identify cell types with low and high αSyn content. We also find high αSyn expression in neurons, particularly those involved in PD, and to a lower extent in non-neuronal cell types, notably those of oligodendrocyte lineage, which are relevant to multiple system atrophy pathogenesis. Surprisingly, we also found that αSyn is relatively absent from select neuron types, e.g., ChAT-positive motor neurons, whereas enteric neurons universally express some degree of αSyn. Together, this integrated atlas provides insight into the cellular topography of αSyn, and provides a quantitative map to test hypotheses about the role of αSyn in network vulnerability, and thus serves investigations into PD pathogenesis and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Geertsma
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Lillian Sauline
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Alice Prigent
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Kevin Kurgat
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Michael X Henderson
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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7
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Strunge K, Burgin T, Golbek TW, Roeters SJ, Pfaendtner J, Weidner T. Umbrella-like Helical Structure of α-Synuclein at the Air-Water Interface Observed with Experimental and Theoretical Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:11030-11035. [PMID: 38047768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The misfolding of α-synuclein (αS) into amyloid aggregates is catalyzed by hydrophobic surfaces and associated with severe brain disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. Despite the important role of interfaces, the three-dimensional structure of αS at the interfaces is still not clear. We report interface-specific sum frequency generation (SFG) experiments of monomeric αS binding to the air-water interface, a model system for the important hydrophobic surfaces. We combine the SFG spectra with calculations of theoretical spectra based on molecular dynamics simulations to show that αS, which is an intrinsically disordered protein in solution, folds into a defined, mostly helical secondary structure at the air-water interface. The binding pose resembles an umbrella shape, where the C-terminus protrudes into the water phase, while the N-terminus and the NAC region span the canopy at the interface. In this binding pose, αS is prone to aggregate, which could explain the catalytic effect of hydrophobic interfaces and air bubbles on αS fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Strunge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tucker Burgin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Thaddeus W Golbek
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Steven J Roeters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Vrije University, Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Pfaendtner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
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8
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Sela M, Poley M, Mora-Raimundo P, Kagan S, Avital A, Kaduri M, Chen G, Adir O, Rozencweig A, Weiss Y, Sade O, Leichtmann-Bardoogo Y, Simchi L, Aga-Mizrachi S, Bell B, Yeretz-Peretz Y, Zaid Or A, Choudhary A, Rosh I, Cordeiro D, Cohen-Adiv S, Berdichevsky Y, Odeh A, Shklover J, Shainsky-Roitman J, Schroeder JE, Hershkovitz D, Hasson P, Ashkenazi A, Stern S, Laviv T, Ben-Zvi A, Avital A, Ashery U, Maoz BM, Schroeder A. Brain-Targeted Liposomes Loaded with Monoclonal Antibodies Reduce Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation and Improve Behavioral Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2304654. [PMID: 37753928 PMCID: PMC7615408 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) hold promise in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), although poor delivery to the brain hinders their therapeutic application. In the current study, it is demonstrated that brain-targeted liposomes (BTL) enhance the delivery of mAbs across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and into neurons, thereby allowing the intracellular and extracellular treatment of the PD brain. BTL are decorated with transferrin to improve brain targeting through overexpressed transferrin-receptors on the BBB during PD. BTL are loaded with SynO4, a mAb that inhibits alpha-synuclein (AS) aggregation, a pathological hallmark of PD. It is shown that 100-nm BTL cross human BBB models intact and are taken up by primary neurons. Within neurons, SynO4 is released from the nanoparticles and bound to its target, thereby reducing AS aggregation, and enhancing neuronal viability. In vivo, intravenous BTL administration results in a sevenfold increase in mAbs in brain cells, decreasing AS aggregation and neuroinflammation. Treatment with BTL also improve behavioral motor function and learning ability in mice, with a favorable safety profile. Accordingly, targeted nanotechnologies offer a valuable platform for drug delivery to treat brain neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mor Sela
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maria Poley
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Patricia Mora-Raimundo
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Shaked Kagan
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Aviram Avital
- The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maya Kaduri
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Gal Chen
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- The Interdisciplinary Program for Biotechnology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Omer Adir
- The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Adi Rozencweig
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Yfat Weiss
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ofir Sade
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | | | - Lilach Simchi
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shlomit Aga-Mizrachi
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Batia Bell
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Yoel Yeretz-Peretz
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Aviv Zaid Or
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ashwani Choudhary
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Idan Rosh
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Diogo Cordeiro
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Stav Cohen-Adiv
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yevgeny Berdichevsky
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Anas Odeh
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Jeny Shklover
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Janna Shainsky-Roitman
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Joshua E. Schroeder
- Spine Unit, Orthopedic Complex, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Kiryat Hadassah, POB 12000, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Department of Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Peleg Hasson
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Avraham Ashkenazi
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Tal Laviv
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ayal Ben-Zvi
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Avi Avital
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ben M. Maoz
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Avi Schroeder
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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9
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Roeters SJ, Strunge K, Pedersen KB, Golbek TW, Bregnhøj M, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Dong M, Nielsen J, Otzen DE, Schiøtt B, Weidner T. Elevated concentrations cause upright alpha-synuclein conformation at lipid interfaces. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5731. [PMID: 37723164 PMCID: PMC10507035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein (αS), related to Parkinson's disease, can be catalyzed by lipid membranes. Despite the importance of lipid surfaces, the 3D-structure and orientation of lipid-bound αS is still not known in detail. Here, we report interface-specific vibrational sum-frequency generation (VSFG) experiments that reveal how monomeric αS binds to an anionic lipid interface over a large range of αS-lipid ratios. To interpret the experimental data, we present a frame-selection method ("ViscaSelect") in which out-of-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to generate structural hypotheses that are compared to experimental amide-I spectra via excitonic spectral calculations. At low and physiological αS concentrations, we derive flat-lying helical structures as previously reported. However, at elevated and potentially disease-related concentrations, a transition to interface-protruding αS structures occurs. Such an upright conformation promotes lateral interactions between αS monomers and may explain how lipid membranes catalyze the formation of αS amyloids at elevated protein concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Roeters
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Kris Strunge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kasper B Pedersen
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thaddeus W Golbek
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Bregnhøj
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yuge Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yin Wang
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mingdong Dong
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Birgit Schiøtt
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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10
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Sahoo BR, Bardwell JCA. SERF, a family of tiny highly conserved, highly charged proteins with enigmatic functions. FEBS J 2023; 290:4150-4162. [PMID: 35694898 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid formation is a misfolding process that has been linked to age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's and Huntington's. Understanding how cellular factors affect this process in vivo is vital in realizing the dream of controlling this insidious process that robs so many people of their humanity. SERF (small EDRK-rich factor) was initially isolated as a factor that accelerated polyglutamine amyloid formation in a C. elegans model. SERF knockouts inhibit amyloid formation of a number of proteins that include huntingtin, α-synuclein and β-amyloid which are associated with Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, and purified SERF protein speeds their amyloid formation in vitro. SERF proteins are highly conserved, highly charged and conformationally dynamic proteins that form a fuzzy complex with amyloid precursors. They appear to act by specifically accelerating the primary step of amyloid nucleation. Brain-specific SERF knockout mice, though viable, appear to be more prone to deposition of amyloids, and show modified fibril morphology. Whole-body knockouts are perinatally lethal due to an apparently unrelated developmental issue. Recently, it was found that SERF binds RNA and is localized to nucleic acid-rich membraneless compartments. SERF-related sequences are commonly found fused to zinc finger sequences. These results point towards a nucleic acid-binding function. How this function relates to their ability to accelerate amyloid formation is currently obscure. In this review, we discuss the possible biological functions of SERF family proteins in the context of their structural fuzziness, modulation of amyloid pathway, nucleic acid binding and their fusion to folded proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash R Sahoo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James C A Bardwell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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11
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Majid N, Khan RH. Protein aggregation: Consequences, mechanism, characterization and inhibitory strategies. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:125123. [PMID: 37270122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Proteins play a major role in the regulation of various cellular functions including the synthesis of structural components. But proteins are stable under physiological conditions only. A slight variation in environmental conditions can cost them huge in terms of conformational stability ultimately leading to aggregation. Under normal conditions, aggregated proteins are degraded or removed from the cell by a quality control system including ubiquitin-proteasomal machinery and autophagy. But they are burdened under diseased conditions or are impaired by the aggregated proteins leading to the generation of toxicity. The misfolding and aggregation of protein such as amyloid-β, α-synuclein, human lysozyme etc., are responsible for certain diseases including Alzheimer, Parkinson, and non- neuropathic systemic amyloidosis respectively. Extensive research has been done to find the therapeutics for such diseases but till now we have got only symptomatic treatment that will reduce the disease severity but will not target the initial formation of nucleus responsible for disease progression and propagation. Hence there is an urgent need to develop the drugs targeting the cause of the disease. For this, a wide knowledge related to misfolding and aggregation under the same heading is required as described in this review alongwith the strategies hypothesized and implemented till now. This will contribute a lot to the work of researchers in the field of neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabeela Majid
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India.
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12
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Peelaerts W, Baekelandt V. ⍺-Synuclein Structural Diversity and the Cellular Environment in ⍺-Synuclein Transmission Models and Humans. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:67-82. [PMID: 37052776 PMCID: PMC10119367 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01365-5] [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] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are termed synucleinopathies, disorders that are characterized by the intracellular aggregation of the protein ɑ-synuclein. The cellular tropism of synuclein pathology in these syndromes is notably distinct since in the Lewy disorders, PD and DLB, ɑSyn forms aggregates in neurons whereas in MSA ɑSyn forms aggregates in oligodendrocytes. Studies examining ɑSyn pathology in experimental models and in human brain have now identified fibrillar ɑSyn with unique but distinct molecular signatures, suggesting that the structure of these ɑSyn fibrils might be closely tied to their cellular ontogeny. In contrast to the native structural heterogeneity of ɑSyn in vitro, the conformational landscape of fibrillar ɑSyn in human brain and in vivo transmission models appears to be remarkably uniform. Here, we review the studies by which we propose a hypothesis that the cellular host environment might be in part responsible for how ɑSyn filaments assemble into phenotype-specific strains. We postulate that the maturation of ɑSyn strains develops as a function of their in vivo transmission routes and cell-specific risk factors. The impact of the cellular environment on the structural diversity of ɑSyn might have important implications for the design of preclinical studies and their use for the development of ɑSyn-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. By combining phenotype-specific fibrils and relevant synucleinopathy transmission models, preclinical models might more closely reflect unique disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Peelaerts
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Baekelandt
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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13
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Shim KH, Kang MJ, Youn YC, An SSA, Kim S. Alpha-synuclein: a pathological factor with Aβ and tau and biomarker in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:201. [PMID: 36587215 PMCID: PMC9805257 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01150-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is considered the main pathophysiological protein component of Lewy bodies in synucleinopathies. α-Syn is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), and several types of structural conformations have been reported, depending on environmental factors. Since IDPs may have distinctive functions depending on their structures, α-syn can play different roles and interact with several proteins, including amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau, in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. MAIN BODY In previous studies, α-syn aggregates in AD brains suggested a close relationship between AD and α-syn. In addition, α-syn directly interacts with Aβ and tau, promoting mutual aggregation and exacerbating the cognitive decline. The interaction of α-syn with Aβ and tau presented different consequences depending on the structural forms of the proteins. In AD, α-syn and tau levels in CSF were both elevated and revealed a high positive correlation. Especially, the CSF α-syn concentration was significantly elevated in the early stages of AD. Therefore, it could be a diagnostic marker of AD and help distinguish AD from other neurodegenerative disorders by incorporating other biomarkers. CONCLUSION The overall physiological and pathophysiological functions, structures, and genetics of α-syn in AD are reviewed and summarized. The numerous associations of α-syn with Aβ and tau suggested the significance of α-syn, as a partner of the pathophysiological roles in AD. Understanding the involvements of α-syn in the pathology of Aβ and tau could help address the unresolved issues of AD. In particular, the current status of the CSF α-syn in AD recommends it as an additional biomarker in the panel for AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Hwan Shim
- grid.256155.00000 0004 0647 2973Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kang
- Department of Neurology, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Medical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chul Youn
- grid.411651.60000 0004 0647 4960Department of Neurology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Soo A. An
- grid.256155.00000 0004 0647 2973Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do Republic of Korea
| | - SangYun Kim
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do Republic of Korea
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14
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Crossroads between copper ions and amyloid formation in Parkinson's disease. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:977-986. [PMID: 35757906 PMCID: PMC9760422 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) ion dys-homeostasis and α-synclein amyloid deposits are two hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, I will discuss the connections between these features, with a major focus on the role of Cu in the α-synuclein (aS) amyloid formation process. The structurally disordered aS monomer can bind to both redox states of Cu (i.e., oxidized Cu(II) and reduced Cu(I)) with high affinity in vitro. Notably, the presence of Cu(II) (in absence of aS N-terminal acetylation) and Cu(I) (when in complex with the copper chaperone Atox1) modulate aS assembly into β-structured amyloids in opposite directions in vitro. Albeit the link to biological relevance is not fully unraveled, existing observations clearly emphasize the need for more knowledge on this interplay and its consequences to eventually combat destructive reactions that promote PD.
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15
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Reimer L, Gram H, Jensen NM, Betzer C, Yang L, Jin L, Shi M, Boudeffa D, Fusco G, De Simone A, Kirik D, Lashuel HA, Zhang J, Jensen PH. Protein kinase R dependent phosphorylation of α-synuclein regulates its membrane binding and aggregation. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac259. [PMID: 36712380 PMCID: PMC9802061 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulates in the neuronal Lewy body (LB) inclusions in Parkinson's disease (PD) and LB dementia. Yet, under nonpathological conditions, monomeric α-syn is hypothesized to exist in an equilibrium between disordered cytosolic- and partially α-helical lipid-bound states: a feature presumably important in synaptic vesicle release machinery. The exact underlying role of α-syn in these processes, and the mechanisms regulating membrane-binding of α-syn remains poorly understood. Herein we demonstrate that Protein kinase R (PKR) can phosphorylate α-syn at several Ser/Thr residues located in the membrane-binding region that is essential for α-syn's vesicle-interactions. α-Syn phosphorylated by PKR or α-syn isolated from PKR overexpressing cells, exhibit decreased binding to lipid membranes. Phosphorylation of Thr64 and Thr72 appears as the major contributor to this effect, as the phosphomimetic Thr64Glu/Thr72Glu-α-syn mutant displays reduced overall attachment to brain vesicles due to a decrease in vesicle-affinity of the last two thirds of α-syn's membrane binding region. This allows enhancement of the "double-anchor" vesicle-binding mechanism that tethers two vesicles and thus promote the clustering of presynaptic vesicles in vitro. Furthermore, phosphomimetic Thr64Glu/Thr72Glu-α-syn inhibits α-syn oligomerization and completely abolishes nucleation, elongation, and seeding of α-syn fibrillation in vitro and in cells, and prevents trans-synaptic spreading of aggregated α-syn pathology in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Overall, our findings demonstrate that normal and abnormal functions of α-syn, like membrane-binding, synaptic vesicle clustering and aggregation can be regulated by phosphorylation, e.g., via PKR. Mechanisms that could potentially be modulated for the benefit of patients suffering from α-syn aggregate-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hjalte Gram
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Nanna Møller Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Cristine Betzer
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Lorrain Jin
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind Institute, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giuliana Fusco
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases,Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | | | - Deniz Kirik
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind Institute, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA,Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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16
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Azam S, Kim IS, Choi DK. α-Synuclein upregulates bim-mediated apoptosis by negatively regulating endogenous GCN5. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:8292-8301. [DOI: 10.18632/aging.204353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
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17
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Quantum-dot-labeled synuclein seed assay identifies drugs modulating the experimental prion-like transmission. Commun Biol 2022; 5:636. [PMID: 35768587 PMCID: PMC9243017 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) that involve deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. The inoculation of α-syn aggregates derived from synucleinopathy or preformed fibrils (PFF) formed in vitro induces misfolding and deposition of endogenous α-syn. This is referred to as prion-like transmission, and the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we label α-syn PFF with quantum dots and visualize their movement directly in acute slices of brain tissue inoculated with α-syn PFF seeds. Using this system, we find that the trafficking of α-syn seeds is dependent on fast axonal transport and the seed spreading is dependent on endocytosis and neuronal activity. We also observe pharmacological effects on α-syn seed spreading; clinically available drugs including riluzole are effective in reducing the spread of α-syn seeds and this effect is also observed in vivo. Our quantum-dot-labeled α-syn seed assay system combined with in vivo transmission experiment reveals an early phase of transmission, in which uptake and spreading of seeds occur depending on neuronal activity, and a later phase, in which seeds induce the propagation of endogenous misfolded α-syn.
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18
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Gitto R, Vittorio S, Bucolo F, Peña-Díaz S, Siracusa R, Cuzzocrea S, Ventura S, Di Paola R, De Luca L. Discovery of Neuroprotective Agents Based on a 5-(4-Pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazole Scaffold. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:581-586. [PMID: 35179861 PMCID: PMC9937533 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons. The common histopathological hallmark in PD patients is the formation of intracellular proteinaceous accumulations. The main constituent of these inclusions is alpha-synuclein (α-syn), an intrinsically disordered protein that in pathological conditions creates amyloid aggregates that lead to neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. The main goal of our study was to optimize our previously identified α-syn aggregation inhibitors of 5-(4-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazole chemotype in terms of in vivo efficacy. Our efforts resulted in the identification of ethyl 2-((4-amino-5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)acetate (15), which displayed the ability to prevent 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine-induced bradykinesia as well as to affect the levels of PD markers after the administration of the same neurotoxin. In addition to the in vivo evaluation, for the 5-(4-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazole-based compounds, we measured the prevention of the fibrillization process using light scattering and a ThT binding assay; these compounds have been shown to slightly reduce the α-syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Gitto
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Serena Vittorio
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Bucolo
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain,Departament
de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain,Departament
de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain,ICREA, Passeig Lluis
Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Laura De Luca
- Department
of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98125 Messina, Italy,
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19
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Kuznetsov IA, Kuznetsov AV. Can the lack of fibrillar form of alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies be explained by its catalytic activity? Math Biosci 2022; 344:108754. [PMID: 34890628 PMCID: PMC8882444 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2021.108754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Finding the causative pathophysiological mechanisms for Parkinson's disease (PD) is important for developing therapeutic interventions. Until recently, it was believed that Lewy bodies (LBs), the hallmark of PD, are mostly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils. Recent results (Shahmoradian et al. (2019)) demonstrated that the fibrillar form of α-syn is lacking from LBs. Here we propose that this surprising observation can be explained by the catalytic activity of the fibrillar form of α-syn. We assumed that α-syn fibrils catalyze the formation of LBs, but do not become part of them. We developed a mathematical model based on this hypothesis. By using the developed model, we investigated the consequences of this hypothesis. In particular, the model suggests that the long incubation time of PD can be explained by a two-step aggregation process that leads to its development: (i) aggregation of monomeric α-syn into α-syn oligomers and fibrils and (ii) clustering of membrane-bound organelles, which may cause disruption of axonal trafficking and lead to neuron starvation and death. The model shows that decreasing the rate of destruction of α-syn aggregates in somatic lysosomes accelerates the formation of LBs. Another consequence of the model is the prediction that removing α-syn aggregates from the brain after the aggregation of membrane-bound organelles into LBs has started may not stop the progression of PD because LB formation is an autocatalytic process; hence, the formation of LBs will be catalyzed by aggregates of membrane-bound organelles even in the absence of α-syn aggregates. The performed sensitivity study made it possible to establish the hierarchy of model parameters with respect to their effect on the formation of vesicle aggregates in the soma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A Kuznetsov
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrey V Kuznetsov
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910, USA.
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20
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Grosso Jasutkar H, Oh SE, Mouradian MM. Therapeutics in the Pipeline Targeting α-Synuclein for Parkinson's Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:207-237. [PMID: 35017177 PMCID: PMC11034868 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the fastest growing neurologic disease in the world, yet no disease-modifying therapy is available for this disabling condition. Multiple lines of evidence implicate the protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the pathogenesis of PD, and as such, there is intense interest in targeting α-Syn for potential disease modification. α-Syn is also a key pathogenic protein in other synucleionpathies, most commonly dementia with Lewy bodies. Thus, therapeutics targeting this protein will have utility in these disorders as well. Here we discuss the various approaches that are being investigated to prevent and mitigate α-Syn toxicity in PD, including clearing its pathologic aggregates from the brain using immunization strategies, inhibiting its misfolding and aggregation, reducing its expression level, enhancing cellular clearance mechanisms, preventing its cell-to-cell transmission within the brain and perhaps from the periphery, and targeting other proteins associated with or implicated in PD that contribute to α-Syn toxicity. We also discuss the therapeutics in the pipeline that harness these strategies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for the field in the discovery and development of therapeutics for disease modification in PD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, for which disease-modifying therapies remain a major unmet need. A large body of evidence points to α-synuclein as a key pathogenic protein in this disease as well as in dementia with Lewy bodies, making it of leading therapeutic interest. This review discusses the various approaches being investigated and progress made to date toward discovering and developing therapeutics that would slow and stop progression of these disabling diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Grosso Jasutkar
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Stephanie E Oh
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - M Maral Mouradian
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
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21
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Alpha-Synuclein PET Tracer Development-An Overview about Current Efforts. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090847. [PMID: 34577548 PMCID: PMC8466155 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) are manifested by inclusion bodies of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) also called α-synucleinopathies. Detection of these inclusions is thus far only possible by histological examination of postmortem brain tissue. The possibility of non-invasively detecting α-syn will therefore provide valuable insights into the disease progression of α-synucleinopathies. In particular, α-syn imaging can quantify changes in monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillic α-syn over time and improve early diagnosis of various α-synucleinopathies or monitor treatment progress. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive in vivo imaging technique that can quantify target expression and drug occupancies when a suitable tracer exists. As such, novel α-syn PET tracers are highly sought after. The development of an α-syn PET tracer faces several challenges. For example, the low abundance of α-syn within the brain necessitates the development of a high-affinity ligand. Moreover, α-syn depositions are, in contrast to amyloid proteins, predominantly localized intracellularly, limiting their accessibility. Furthermore, another challenge is the ligand selectivity over structurally similar amyloids such as amyloid-beta or tau, which are often co-localized with α-syn pathology. The lack of a defined crystal structure of α-syn has also hindered rational drug and tracer design efforts. Our objective for this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current efforts in the development of selective α-syn PET tracers.
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22
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Huntington TE, Srinivasan R. Adeno-Associated Virus Expression of α-Synuclein as a Tool to Model Parkinson's Disease: Current Understanding and Knowledge Gaps. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1120-1137. [PMID: 34221553 PMCID: PMC8219504 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population and is characterized by a constellation of motor and non-motor symptoms. The abnormal aggregation and spread of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is thought to underlie the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to the development of PD. It is in this context that the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to express a-syn in the rodent midbrain has become a popular tool to model SNc DA neuron loss during PD. In this review, we summarize results from two decades of experiments using AAV-mediated a-syn expression in rodents to model PD. Specifically, we outline aspects of AAV vectors that are particularly relevant to modeling a-syn dysfunction in rodent models of PD such as changes in striatal neurochemistry, a-syn biochemistry, and PD-related behaviors resulting from AAV-mediated a-syn expression in the midbrain. Finally, we discuss the emerging role of astrocytes in propagating a-syn pathology, and point to future directions for employing AAVs as a tool to better understand how astrocytes contribute to a-syn pathology during the development of PD. We envision that lessons learned from two decades of utilizing AAVs to express a-syn in the rodent brain will enable us to develop an optimized set of parameters for gaining a better understanding of how a-syn leads to the development of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Huntington
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rahul Srinivasan
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX 77843, USA
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23
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α-synuclein pathogenesis in hiPSC models of Parkinson's disease. Neuronal Signal 2021; 5:NS20210021. [PMID: 34239711 PMCID: PMC8222967 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210021] [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: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein is an increasingly prominent player in the pathology of a variety of neurodegenerative conditions. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects mainly the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. Typical of PD pathology is the finding of protein aggregations termed ‘Lewy bodies’ in the brain regions affected. α-synuclein is implicated in many disease states including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer’s disease. However, PD is the most common synucleinopathy and continues to be a significant focus of PD research in terms of the α-synuclein Lewy body pathology. Mutations in several genes are associated with PD development including SNCA, which encodes α-synuclein. A variety of model systems have been employed to study α-synuclein physiology and pathophysiology in an attempt to relate more closely to PD pathology. These models include cellular and animal system exploring transgenic technologies, viral vector expression and knockdown approaches, and models to study the potential prion protein-like effects of α-synuclein. The current review focuses on human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models with a specific focus on mutations or multiplications of the SNCA gene. iPSCs are a rapidly evolving technology with huge promise in the study of normal physiology and disease modeling in vitro. The ability to maintain a patient’s genetic background and replicate similar cell phenotypes make iPSCs a powerful tool in the study of neurological diseases. This review focuses on the current knowledge about α-synuclein physiological function as well as its role in PD pathogenesis based on human iPSC models.
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24
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Cheng A, Jia W, Kawahata I, Fukunaga K. Impact of Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins in α-Synuclein-Induced Mitochondrial Injury in Synucleinopathy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050560. [PMID: 34067791 PMCID: PMC8156290 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are diverse diseases with motor and cognitive dysfunction due to progressive neuronal loss or demyelination, due to oligodendrocyte loss in the brain. While the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is likely multifactorial, mitochondrial injury is one of the most vital factors in neuronal loss and oligodendrocyte dysfunction, especially in Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy body, multiple system atrophy, and Krabbe disease. In recent years, the abnormal accumulation of highly neurotoxic α-synuclein in the mitochondrial membrane, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, was well studied. Furthermore, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), which are members of a superfamily and are essential in fatty acid trafficking, were reported to trigger α-synuclein oligomerization in neurons and glial cells and to target the mitochondrial outer membrane, thereby causing mitochondrial loss. Here, we provide an updated overview of recent findings on FABP and α-synuclein interactions and mitochondrial injury in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Cheng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(22)-795-6837
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25
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Oganesyan I, Lento C, Tandon A, Wilson DJ. Conformational Dynamics of α-Synuclein during the Interaction with Phospholipid Nanodiscs by Millisecond Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2021; 32:1169-1179. [PMID: 33784451 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.0c00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Both normal and pathological functions of α-synuclein (αSN), an abundant protein in the central and peripheral nervous system, have been linked to its interaction with membrane lipid bilayers. The ability to characterize structural transitions of αSN upon membrane complexation will clarify molecular mechanisms associated with αSN-linked pathologies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple systems atrophy, and other synucleinopathies. In this work, time-resolved electrospray ionization hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (TRESI-HDX-MS) was employed to acquire a detailed picture of αSN's conformational transitions as it undergoes complexation with nanodisc membrane mimics with different headgroup charges (zwitterionic DMPC and negative POPG). Using this approach, αSN interactions with DMPC nanodiscs were shown to be rapid exchanging and to have little impact on the αSN conformational ensemble. Interactions with nanodiscs containing lipids known to promote amyloidogenesis (e.g., POPG), on the other hand, were observed to induce substantial and specific changes in the αSN conformational ensemble. Ultimately, we identify a region corresponding residues 19-28 and 45-57 of the αSN sequence that is uniquely impacted by interactions with "amyloidogenic" lipid membranes, supporting the existing "broken-helix" model for α-synuclein/membrane interactions, but do not detect a "helical extension" that is also thought to play a role in αSN aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Oganesyan
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Cristina Lento
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Anurag Tandon
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Derek J Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto M3J 1P3, Canada
- Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry, York University, Toronto M3J 1P3, Canada
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26
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Nicoletti V, Palermo G, Del Prete E, Mancuso M, Ceravolo R. Understanding the Multiple Role of Mitochondria in Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders: Lesson From Genetics and Protein-Interaction Network. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:636506. [PMID: 33869180 PMCID: PMC8047151 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.636506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As neurons are highly energy-demanding cell, increasing evidence suggests that mitochondria play a large role in several age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Synaptic damage and mitochondrial dysfunction have been associated with early events in the pathogenesis of major neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonisms, and Huntington disease. Disruption of mitochondrial structure and dynamic is linked to increased levels of reactive oxygen species production, abnormal intracellular calcium levels, and reduced mitochondrial ATP production. However, recent research has uncovered a much more complex involvement of mitochondria in such disorders than has previously been appreciated, and a remarkable number of genes and proteins that contribute to the neurodegeneration cascade interact with mitochondria or affect mitochondrial function. In this review, we aim to summarize and discuss the deep interconnections between mitochondrial dysfunction and basal ganglia disorders, with an emphasis into the molecular triggers to the disease process. Understanding the regulation of mitochondrial pathways may be beneficial in finding pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions to delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Nicoletti
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palermo
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Del Prete
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Mancuso
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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27
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Elgayar SAM, Hussein OA, Mubarak HA, Ismaiel AM, Gomaa AMS. Nicotine impact on rat substantia nigra compacta. Anat Cell Biol 2021; 54:112-123. [PMID: 33782217 PMCID: PMC8017450 DOI: 10.5115/acb.20.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine neuronal interactions exert an adverse potential in some brain regions and a significant link has been established between tobacco smoke/nicotine and vascular impairment. This work addresses nicotine impact on various components of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) in rat. Twenty adult male Albino rats were divided equally into two groups: Group I, vehicle-control group (received saline [1 ml/kg body weight intra peritoneally] for 11 days). Group II; nicotine group (received 1.5 mg/kg body weight/day Sc) for 11 days. Nicotine levels were detected in the serum. Specimens were taken from the mid brain, processed and examined using biochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric techniques. In nicotine group, biochemical analysis revealed reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), decrease in dopamine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean number of light cells, and the mean surface area of nerve cells/field were significantly reduced, with an increase of dark cells were found in nicotine group compared to control. Immunoreactivity in nicotine group revealed an increase in neuronal α-synuclein, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, an increase in caspase 3 and ultrastructure changes suggestive of neuronal apopto. The blood capillaries were markedly affected. Nicotine induced endothelial and pericytic apoptotic changes, irregular lumena and indistinct endothelial junctional complex. Nicotine administered subcutaneously in a small dose may have a deleterious effect on SNc, mainly involving dopaminergic neurons and blood capillaries. This effect seems to be secondary to an oxidative stress that might be produced by reduced TAC and increased MDA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa A M Elgayar
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ola A Hussein
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Heba A Mubarak
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amany M Ismaiel
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M S Gomaa
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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28
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Modelling Parkinson's Disease: iPSCs towards Better Understanding of Human Pathology. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030373. [PMID: 33799491 PMCID: PMC8000082 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, among which are bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor as well as mental symptoms such as dementia. The underlying cause of Parkinson disease is degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. It has been challenging to develop an efficient animal model to accurately represent the complex phenotypes found with PD. However, it has become possible to recapitulate the myriad of phenotypes underlying the PD pathology by using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. Patient-specific iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons are available and present an opportunity to study many aspects of the PD phenotypes in a dish. In this review, we report the available data on iPSC-derived neurons derived from PD patients with identified gene mutations. Specifically, we will report on the key phenotypes of the generated iPSC-derived neurons from PD patients with different genetic background. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship these cellular phenotypes have to PD pathology and future challenges and prospects for iPSC modelling and understanding of the pathogenesis of PD.
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29
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Shacham T, Patel C, Lederkremer GZ. PERK Pathway and Neurodegenerative Disease: To Inhibit or to Activate? Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030354. [PMID: 33652720 PMCID: PMC7996871 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With the extension of life span in recent decades, there is an increasing burden of late-onset neurodegenerative diseases, for which effective treatments are lacking. Neurodegenerative diseases include the widespread Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), the less frequent Huntington’s disease (HD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and also rare early-onset diseases linked to mutations that cause protein aggregation or loss of function in genes that maintain protein homeostasis. The difficulties in applying gene therapy approaches to tackle these diseases is drawing increasing attention to strategies that aim to inhibit cellular toxicity and restore homeostasis by intervening in cellular pathways. These include the unfolded protein response (UPR), activated in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a cellular affliction that is shared by these diseases. Special focus is turned to the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway of the UPR as a target for intervention. However, the complexity of the pathway and its ability to promote cell survival or death, depending on ER stress resolution, has led to some confusion in conflicting studies. Both inhibition and activation of the PERK pathway have been reported to be beneficial in disease models, although there are also some reports where they are counterproductive. Although with the current knowledge a definitive answer cannot be given on whether it is better to activate or to inhibit the pathway, the most encouraging strategies appear to rely on boosting some steps without compromising downstream recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talya Shacham
- Cell Biology Division, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (T.S.); (C.P.)
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chaitanya Patel
- Cell Biology Division, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (T.S.); (C.P.)
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Gerardo Z. Lederkremer
- Cell Biology Division, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (T.S.); (C.P.)
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-640-9239
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30
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Bozelli JC, Kamski-Hennekam E, Melacini G, Epand RM. α-Synuclein and neuronal membranes: Conformational flexibilities in health and disease. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 235:105034. [PMID: 33434528 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2020.105034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Currently, PD has no treatment. The neuronal protein α-synuclein (αS) plays an important role in PD. However, the molecular mechanisms governing its physiological and pathological roles are not fully understood. It is becoming widely acknowledged that the biological roles of αS involve interactions with biological membranes. In these biological processes there is a fine-tuned interplay between lipids affecting the properties of αS and αS affecting lipid metabolism, αS binding to membranes, and membrane damage. In this review, the intricate interactions between αS and membranes will be reviewed and a discussion of the relationship between αS and neuronal membrane structural plasticity in health and disease will be made. It is proposed that in healthy neurons the conformational flexibilities of αS and the neuronal membranes are coupled to assist the physiological roles of αS. However, in circumstances where their conformational flexibilities are decreased or uncoupled, there is a shift toward cell toxicity. Strategies to modulate toxic αS-membrane interactions are potential approaches for the development of new therapies for PD. Future work using specific αS molecular species as well as membranes with specific physicochemical properties should widen our understanding of the intricate biological roles of αS which, in turn, would propel the development of new strategies for the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Bozelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Evelyn Kamski-Hennekam
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4M1, Canada.
| | - Richard M Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
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31
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Musteikytė G, Jayaram AK, Xu CK, Vendruscolo M, Krainer G, Knowles TPJ. Interactions of α-synuclein oligomers with lipid membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1863:183536. [PMID: 33373595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is an increasingly prevalent and currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder. At the molecular level, this disease is characterized by the formation of aberrant intracellular protein deposits known as Lewy bodies. Oligomeric forms of the protein α-synuclein (αS), which are believed to be both intermediates and by-products of Lewy body formation, are considered to be the main pathogenic species. Interactions of such oligomers with lipid membranes are increasingly emerging as a major molecular pathway underpinning their toxicity. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of the interactions of αS oligomers with lipid membranes. We highlight key structural and biophysical features of αS oligomers, the effects of these features on αS oligomer membrane binding properties, and resultant implications for understanding the etiology of Parkinson's disease. We discuss mechanistic modes of αS oligomer-lipid membrane interactions and the effects of environmental factors to such modes. Finally, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the main molecular determinants of αS oligomer toxicity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Musteikytė
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Akhila K Jayaram
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine K Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Georg Krainer
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
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32
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Forloni G, La Vitola P, Cerovic M, Balducci C. Inflammation and Parkinson's disease pathogenesis: Mechanisms and therapeutic insight. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 177:175-202. [PMID: 33453941 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
After Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder. Although numerous treatments have been developed to control the disease symptomatology, with some successes, an efficacious therapy affecting the causes of PD is still a goal to pursue. The genetic evidence and the identification of α-synuclein as the main component of intracellular Lewy bodies, the neuropathological hallmark of PD and related disorders, have changed the approach to these disorders. More recently, the detrimental role of α-synuclein has been further extended to explain the wide spread of cerebral pathology through its oligomers. To emphasize the central pathogenic role of these soluble aggregates, we have defined synucleinopathies and other neurodegenerative disorders associated with protein misfolding as oligomeropathies. Another common element in the pathogenesis of oligomeropathies is the role played by inflammation, both at the peripheral and cerebral levels. In the brain parenchyma, inflammatory reaction has been considered an obvious consequence of neuronal degeneration, but recent observations indicate a direct contribution of glial alteration in the early phase of the disease. Furthermore, systemic inflammation also influences the development of neuronal dysfunction caused by specific elements, β amyloid, α-synuclein, tau or prion. However, each disorder has its own specific pathological process and within the same pathological condition, it is possible to find inter-individual differences. This heterogeneity might explain the difficulties developing efficacious therapeutic approaches, even though the possibility of intervention is supported by robust biological evidence. We have recently demonstrated that peripheral inflammation can amplify the neuronal dysfunction induced by α-synuclein oligomers and the neuropathological consequences observed in a Parkinson's disease model. In both cases, activation of microglia was incremented by the "double hit" process, compared to the single treatment. In contrast, astrocyte activation was attenuated and these cells appeared damaged when chronic inflammation was combined with α-synuclein exposure. This evidence might indicate a more specific anti-inflammatory strategy rather than the generic anti-inflammatory treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Forloni
- Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
| | - Pietro La Vitola
- Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Milica Cerovic
- Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Balducci
- Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
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33
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Du XY, Xie XX, Liu RT. The Role of α-Synuclein Oligomers in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228645. [PMID: 33212758 PMCID: PMC7697105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein (α-syn) is a protein associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common neurodegeneration disease with no effective treatment. However, how α-syn drives the pathology of PD remains elusive. Recent studies suggest that α-syn oligomers are the primary cause of neurotoxicity and play a critical role in PD. In this review, we discuss the process of α-syn oligomers formation and the current understanding of the structures of oligomers. We also describe seed and propagation effects of oligomeric forms of α-syn. Then, we summarize the mechanism by which α-syn oligomers exert neurotoxicity and promote neurodegeneration, including mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, proteostasis dysregulation, synaptic impairment, cell apoptosis and neuroinflammation. Finally, we investigate treatment regimens targeting α-syn oligomers at present. Further research is needed to understand the structure and toxicity mechanism of different types of oligomers, so as to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-yu Du
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China; (X.-y.D.); (X.-x.X.)
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi-xiu Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China; (X.-y.D.); (X.-x.X.)
| | - Rui-tian Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China; (X.-y.D.); (X.-x.X.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-82545017
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34
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Regensburger M, Stemick J, Masliah E, Kohl Z, Winner B. Intracellular A53T Mutant α-Synuclein Impairs Adult Hippocampal Newborn Neuron Integration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:561963. [PMID: 33262984 PMCID: PMC7686440 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.561963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic dysfunction is an early event in α-synuclein (α-syn) mediated neurodegeneration. Altered postsynaptic potential and loss of dendritic spines have been observed in different in vitro and in vivo models of synucleinopathies. The integration of newborn neurons into the hippocampus offers the possibility to study dendrite and spine formation in an adult environment. Specifically, survival of hippocampal adult newborn neurons is regulated by synaptic input and was reduced in a mouse model transgenic for human A53T mutant α-syn. We thus hypothesized that dendritic integration of newborn neurons is impaired in the adult hippocampus of A53T mice. We analyzed dendritic morphology of adult hippocampal neurons 1 month after retroviral labeling. Dendrite length was unchanged in the dentate gyrus of A53T transgenic mice. However, spine density and mushroom spine density of newborn neurons were severely decreased. In this mouse model, transgenic α-syn was expressed both within newborn neurons and within their environment. To specifically determine the cell autonomous effects, we analyzed cell-intrinsic overexpression of A53T α-syn using a retrovirus. Since A53T α-syn overexpressing newborn neurons exhibited decreased spine density 1 month after labeling, we conclude that cell-intrinsic A53T α-syn impairs postsynaptic integration of adult hippocampal newborn neurons. Our findings further support the role of postsynaptic degeneration as an early feature in synucleinopathies and provide a model system to study underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Regensburger
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Erlangen (ZSEER), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Stemick
- Department of Molecular Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Division of Neuroscience and Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zacharias Kohl
- Department of Molecular Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Beate Winner
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Erlangen (ZSEER), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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35
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Autophagy and Redox Homeostasis in Parkinson's: A Crucial Balancing Act. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:8865611. [PMID: 33224433 PMCID: PMC7671810 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8865611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are generated primarily from endogenous biochemical reactions in mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and peroxisomes. Typically, ROS/RNS correlate with oxidative damage and cell death; however, free radicals are also crucial for normal cellular functions, including supporting neuronal homeostasis. ROS/RNS levels influence and are influenced by antioxidant systems, including the catabolic autophagy pathways. Autophagy is an intracellular lysosomal degradation process by which invasive, damaged, or redundant cytoplasmic components, including microorganisms and defunct organelles, are removed to maintain cellular homeostasis. This process is particularly important in neurons that are required to cope with prolonged and sustained operational stress. Consequently, autophagy is a primary line of protection against neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson's is caused by the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDANs), resulting in progressive disruption of the nigrostriatal pathway, leading to motor, behavioural, and cognitive impairments. Mitochondrial dysfunction, with associated increases in oxidative stress, and declining proteostasis control, are key contributors during mDAN demise in Parkinson's. In this review, we analyse the crosstalk between autophagy and redoxtasis, including the molecular mechanisms involved and the detrimental effect of an imbalance in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's.
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36
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Single-molecule studies of amyloid proteins: from biophysical properties to diagnostic perspectives. Q Rev Biophys 2020; 53:e12. [PMID: 33148356 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583520000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In neurodegenerative diseases, a wide range of amyloid proteins or peptides such as amyloid-beta and α-synuclein fail to keep native functional conformations, followed by misfolding and self-assembling into a diverse array of aggregates. The aggregates further exert toxicity leading to the dysfunction, degeneration and loss of cells in the affected organs. Due to the disordered structure of the amyloid proteins, endogenous molecules, such as lipids, are prone to interact with amyloid proteins at a low concentration and influence amyloid cytotoxicity. The heterogeneity of amyloid proteinscomplicates the understanding of the amyloid cytotoxicity when relying only on conventional bulk and ensemble techniques. As complementary tools, single-molecule techniques (SMTs) provide novel insights into the different subpopulations of a heterogeneous amyloid mixture as well as the cytotoxicity, in particular as involved in lipid membranes. This review focuses on the recent advances of a series of SMTs, including single-molecule fluorescence imaging, single-molecule force spectroscopy and single-nanopore electrical recording, for the understanding of the amyloid molecular mechanism. The working principles, benefits and limitations of each technique are discussed and compared in amyloid protein related studies.. We also discuss why SMTs show great potential and are worthy of further investigation with feasibility studies as diagnostic tools of neurodegenerative diseases and which limitations are to be addressed.
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Transient transfection of WT-αS and A53T-αS brought about a mild apoptosis due to degradation of released cytochrome c through PARC. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 166:374-384. [PMID: 33122072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) aggregates plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies including Parkinson's Disease. The toxicity of αS aggregates has been broadly studied and variant defects have been reported through which these aggregates lead in cell death. Although cell death through apoptosis pathway has been proposed in many studies, the molecular details underlying in this pathway have not been uncovered. To shed a light on the relationships between αS aggregates and apoptotic cell death, changes in levels and behavior of molecular indicators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway was investigated in HEK-293T cells overexpressing wild-type α-synuclein and A53T-α-synuclein. Overexpression of both WT-αS and A53T-αS resulted in the increase of caspase-9 activity, and rise in Cytochrome c (Cyt c) and PARC content, concurrently. We assume that rising in PARC level may result in Cyt c degradation, and consequently suppressing/attenuating intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Besides, increasing of Casp-9 activity can be related to αS aggregates and subsequent degradation of Cyt c. To understand the mechanisms behind this using theoretical model, molecular dynamic simulation was also applied to investigate the possible interaction of Casp-9 with α-synuclein aggregates. The results showed that the interaction between Casp-9 with αS aggregates could activate Casp-9 by changing the conformation of some crucial residues.
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38
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Abstract
The gut microbiome is increasingly implicated in modifying susceptibility to and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). In this review, we discuss roles for the microbiome in aging and in NDs. In particular, we summarize findings from human studies on microbiome alterations in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. We assess animal studies of genetic and environmental models for NDs that investigate how manipulations of the microbiome causally impact the development of behavioral and neuropathological endophenotypes of disease. We additionally evaluate the likely immunological, neuronal, and metabolic mechanisms for how the gut microbiota may modulate risk for NDs. Finally, we speculate on cross-cutting features for microbial influences across multiple NDs and consider the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions for NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fang
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - S A Kazmi
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - K G Jameson
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - E Y Hsiao
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Alpha-Synuclein FRET Biosensors Reveal Early Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10080147. [PMID: 32796544 PMCID: PMC7460339 DOI: 10.3390/life10080147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction is important for alpha-synuclein (αS) acquired toxicity. When targeted to the ER in SH-SY5Y cells, transient or stable expression of αS resulted in the formation of compact αS-positive structures in a small subpopulation of cells, resembling αS inclusions. Thus, because of the limitations of immunofluorescence, we developed a set of αS FRET biosensors (AFBs) able to track αS conformation in cells. In native conditions, expression in i36, a stable cell line for ER αS, of intermolecular AFBs, reporters in which CFP or YFP has been fused with the C-terminal of αS (αS-CFP/αS-YFP), resulted in no Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), whereas expression of the intramolecular AFB, a probe obtained by fusing YFP and CFP with αS N- or C- termini (YFP-αS-CFP), showed a positive FRET signal. These data confirmed that αS has a predominantly globular, monomeric conformation in native conditions. Differently, under pro-aggregating conditions, the intermolecular AFB was able to sense significantly formation of αS oligomers, when AFB was expressed in the ER rather than ubiquitously, suggesting that the ER can favor changes in αS conformation when aggregation is stimulated. These results show the potential of AFBs as a new, valuable tool to track αS conformational changes in vivo.
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Single-vesicle imaging reveals lipid-selective and stepwise membrane disruption by monomeric α-synuclein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:14178-14186. [PMID: 32513706 PMCID: PMC7322013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914670117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are increasing among the world's population, but there are no cures. These disorders all involve proteins that assemble into amyloid fibers which results in brain cell death. Evidence suggests that association of these proteins with lipid membranes is crucial for both functional and pathological roles. In Parkinson's disease, the involved protein, α-synuclein, is thought to function in trafficking of lipid vesicles in the brain. In search of mechanistic origins, increasing focus is put on identifying neurotoxic reactions induced by membrane interactions. To contribute new clues to this question, we here employed a new surface-sensitive scattering microscopy technique. With this approach, we discovered that α-synuclein perturbs vesicles in a stepwise and lipid-dependent fashion already at very low protein coverage. The interaction of the neuronal protein α-synuclein with lipid membranes appears crucial in the context of Parkinson’s disease, but the underlying mechanistic details, including the roles of different lipids in pathogenic protein aggregation and membrane disruption, remain elusive. Here, we used single-vesicle resolution fluorescence and label-free scattering microscopy to investigate the interaction kinetics of monomeric α-synuclein with surface-tethered vesicles composed of different negatively charged lipids. Supported by a theoretical model to account for structural changes in scattering properties of surface-tethered lipid vesicles, the data demonstrate stepwise vesicle disruption and asymmetric membrane deformation upon α-synuclein binding to phosphatidylglycerol vesicles at protein concentrations down to 10 nM (∼100 proteins per vesicle). In contrast, phosphatidylserine vesicles were only marginally affected. These insights into structural consequences of α-synuclein interaction with lipid vesicles highlight the contrasting roles of different anionic lipids, which may be of mechanistic relevance for both normal protein function (e.g., synaptic vesicle binding) and dysfunction (e.g., mitochondrial membrane interaction).
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Lv YC, Gao AB, Yang J, Zhong LY, Jia B, Ouyang SH, Gui L, Peng TH, Sun S, Cayabyab FS. Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced sortilin expression promotes α-synuclein upregulation in dopaminergic neurons. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:712-723. [PMID: 31638096 PMCID: PMC6975149 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.266916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged activation of adenosine A1 receptor likely leads to damage of dopaminergic neurons and subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the pathogenesis underlying long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced neurodegeneration remains unclear. In this study, rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) for five weeks. The mobility of rats was evaluated by forced swimming test, while their cognitive capabilities were evaluated by Y-maze test. Expression of sortilin, α-synuclein, p-JUN, and c-JUN proteins in the substantia nigra were detected by western blot analysis. In addition, immunofluorescence staining of sortilin and α-synuclein was performed to detect expression in the substantia nigra. The results showed that, compared with adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (5 mg/kg) + CPA co-treated rats, motor and memory abilities were reduced, surface expression of sortin and α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons was reduced, and total sortilin and total α-synuclein were increased in CPA-treated rats. MN9D cells were incubated with 500 nM CPA alone or in combination with 10 μM SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) for 48 hours. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of sortilin and α-synuclein mRNA levels in MN9D cells revealed upregulated sortilin expression in MN9D cells cultured with CPA alone, but the combination of CPA and SP600125 could inhibit this expression. Predictions made using Jasper, PROMO, and Alibaba online databases identified a highly conserved sequence in the sortilin promoter that was predicted to bind JUN in both humans and rodents. A luciferase reporter assay of sortilin promoter plasmid-transfected HEK293T cells confirmed this prediction. After sortilin expression was inhibited by sh-SORT1, expression of p-JUN and c-JUN was detected by western blot analysis. Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation levels upregulated α-synuclein expression at the post-transcriptional level by affecting sortilin expression. The online tool Raptor-X-Binding and Discovery Studio 4.5 prediction software predicted that sortilin can bind to α-synuclein. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed an interaction between sortilin and α-synuclein in MN9D cells. Our findings indicate that suppression of prolonged adenosine A1 receptor activation potently inhibited sortilin expression and α-synuclein accumulation, and dramatically improved host cognition and kineticism. This study was approved by the University Committee of Animal Care and Supply at the University of Saskatchewan (approval No. AUP#20070090) in March 2007 and the Animals Ethics Committee of University of South China (approval No. LL0387-USC) in June 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Cheng Lv
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China; Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - An-Bo Gao
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College; Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Metabolism & Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Li-Yuan Zhong
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shu-Hui Ouyang
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Le Gui
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Tian-Hong Peng
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Sha Sun
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Francisco S Cayabyab
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Brás IC, Xylaki M, Outeiro TF. Mechanisms of alpha-synuclein toxicity: An update and outlook. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 252:91-129. [PMID: 32247376 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) was identified as the main component of inclusions that define synucleinopathies more than 20 years ago. Since then, aSyn has been extensively studied in an attempt to unravel its roles in both physiology and pathology. Today, studying the mechanisms of aSyn toxicity remains in the limelight, leading to the identification of novel pathways involved in pathogenesis. In this chapter, we address the molecular mechanisms involved in synucleinopathies, from aSyn misfolding and aggregation to the various cellular effects and pathologies associated. In particular, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the spreading of aSyn between different cells, from the periphery to the brain, and back. Finally, we also review recent studies on the contribution of inflammation and the gut microbiota to pathology in synucleinopathies. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, we still lack an integrated understanding of the pathways leading to neurodegeneration in PD and other synucleinopathies, compromising our ability to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Caldeira Brás
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mary Xylaki
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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43
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The Overcrowded Crossroads: Mitochondria, Alpha-Synuclein, and the Endo-Lysosomal System Interaction in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215312. [PMID: 31731450 PMCID: PMC6862467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, mainly affecting the elderly. The disease progresses gradually, with core motor presentations and a multitude of non-motor manifestations. There are two neuropathological hallmarks of PD, the dopaminergic neuronal loss and the alpha-synuclein-containing Lewy body inclusions in the substantia nigra. While the exact pathomechanisms of PD remain unclear, genetic investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of mitochondrial function, alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation, and the endo-lysosomal system, in disease pathogenesis. Due to the high energy demand of dopaminergic neurons, mitochondria are of special importance acting as the cellular powerhouse. Mitochondrial dynamic fusion and fission, and autophagy quality control keep the mitochondrial network in a healthy state. Should defects of the organelle occur, a variety of reactions would ensue at the cellular level, including disrupted mitochondrial respiratory network and perturbed calcium homeostasis, possibly resulting in cellular death. Meanwhile, α-syn is a presynaptic protein that helps regulate synaptic vesicle transportation and endocytosis. Its misfolding into oligomeric sheets and fibrillation is toxic to the mitochondria and neurons. Increased cellular oxidative stress leads to α-syn accumulation, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. The proteasome and endo-lysosomal systems function to regulate damage and unwanted waste management within the cell while facilitating the quality control of mitochondria and α-syn. This review will analyze the biological functions and interactions between mitochondria, α-syn, and the endo-lysosomal system in the pathogenesis of PD.
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44
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Pariary R, Bhattacharyya D, Bhunia A. Mitochondrial-membrane association of α-synuclein: Pros and cons in consequence of Parkinson's disease pathophysiology. GENE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2019.100423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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45
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Riederer P, Berg D, Casadei N, Cheng F, Classen J, Dresel C, Jost W, Krüger R, Müller T, Reichmann H, Rieß O, Storch A, Strobel S, van Eimeren T, Völker HU, Winkler J, Winklhofer KF, Wüllner U, Zunke F, Monoranu CM. α-Synuclein in Parkinson's disease: causal or bystander? J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:815-840. [PMID: 31240402 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02025-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) comprises a spectrum of disorders with differing subtypes, the vast majority of which share Lewy bodies (LB) as a characteristic pathological hallmark. The process(es) underlying LB generation and its causal trigger molecules are not yet fully understood. α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a major component of LB and SNCA gene missense mutations or duplications/triplications are causal for rare hereditary forms of PD. As typical sporadic PD is associated with LB pathology, a factor of major importance is the study of the α-syn protein and its pathology. α-Syn pathology is, however, also evident in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Lewy body disease (LBD), making it non-specific for PD. In addition, there is an overlap of these α-synucleinopathies with other protein-misfolding diseases. It has been proven that α-syn, phosphorylated tau protein (pτ), amyloid beta (Aβ) and other proteins show synergistic effects in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Multiple cell death mechanisms can induce pathological protein-cascades, but this can also be a reverse process. This holds true for the early phases of the disease process and especially for the progression of PD. In conclusion, while rare SNCA gene mutations are causal for a minority of familial PD patients, in sporadic PD (where common SNCA polymorphisms are the most consistent genetic risk factor across populations worldwide, accounting for 95% of PD patients) α-syn pathology is an important feature. Conversely, with regard to the etiopathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies PD, MSA and LBD, α-syn is rather a bystander contributing to multiple neurodegenerative processes, which overlap in their composition and individual strength. Therapeutic developments aiming to impact on α-syn pathology should take this fact into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Riederer
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of South Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Daniela Berg
- Department of Neurology, UKHS, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fubo Cheng
- NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Dresel
- Department of Neurology, Center for Movement Disorders, Neuroimaging Center Mainz, Clinical Neurophysiology, Forschungszentrum Translationale Neurowissenschaften (FTN), Rhein-Main-Neuronetz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Rejko Krüger
- Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, LCSB (Luxembourg Centre for Systems, Biomedicine), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette and Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg.,National Center for Excellence in Research, Parkinson's disease (NCER-PD), Parkinson Research Clinic, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Thomas Müller
- Department of Neurology, Alexianer St. Joseph Berlin-Weißensee, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinz Reichmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Olaf Rieß
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Storch
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sabrina Strobel
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thilo van Eimeren
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department Kopfkliniken, Molekulare Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Konstanze F Winklhofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ullrich Wüllner
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE Bonn), Bonn, Germany
| | - Friederike Zunke
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Camelia-Maria Monoranu
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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46
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Alza NP, Iglesias González PA, Conde MA, Uranga RM, Salvador GA. Lipids at the Crossroad of α-Synuclein Function and Dysfunction: Biological and Pathological Implications. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:175. [PMID: 31118888 PMCID: PMC6504812 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery, the study of the biological role of α-synuclein and its pathological implications has been the subject of increasing interest. The propensity to adopt different conformational states governing its aggregation and fibrillation makes this small 14-kDa cytosolic protein one of the main etiologic factors associated with degenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies. The structure, function, and toxicity of α-synuclein and the possibility of different therapeutic approaches to target the protein have been extensively investigated and reviewed. One intriguing characteristic of α-synuclein is the different ways in which it interacts with lipids. Though in-depth studies have been carried out in this field, the information they have produced is puzzling and the precise role of lipids in α-synuclein biology and pathology and vice versa is still largely unknown. Here we provide an overview and discussion of the main findings relating to α-synuclein/lipid interaction and its involvement in the modulation of lipid metabolism and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia P Alza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Iglesias González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Melisa A Conde
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Romina M Uranga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Gabriela A Salvador
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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Fitzgerald E, Murphy S, Martinson HA. Alpha-Synuclein Pathology and the Role of the Microbiota in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:369. [PMID: 31068777 PMCID: PMC6491838 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a principle in science, known as Occam’s razor, that says the correct solution is usually the one with the simplest explanation. The microbiota-gut-brain axis, an interdependent series of communication loops between the enteric nervous system (ENS), the microbiota, the gut, and the brain, offers important insight into how changes in our gut affect distant organs like our brains. The inherent complexity of this axis with the crosstalk between the immune system, inflammatory states, and the thousands of bacteria, viral, and fungal species that together make up the microbiota make studying the interactions that govern this axis difficult and far from parsimonious. It is becoming increasingly clear that the microbiota is integral to this axis. Disruption of the healthy flora, a phenomenon collectively referred to as dysbiosis, has been implicated as a driver for several diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Teasing apart these complex interactions as they pertain to PD is critical for our understanding of this debilitating disease, but more importantly, for the development of future treatments. So far, treatments have been unable to stop this neurodegenerative disease, succeeding only in briefly dampening symptoms and buying patients time before the inevitable loss of function ensues. Given that the 10 years prognosis for death or life-limiting disability with someone diagnosed with PD is upwards of 80%, there is a desperate need for curative treatments that go beyond symptom management. If PD does begin in the periphery with bidirectional communication between the microbiota and the immune system, as recent literature suggests, there is an exciting possibility that progression could be stopped before it reaches the brain. This systematic review assesses the current literature surrounding the role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of alpha-synucleinopathies and explores the hypothesis that alpha-synuclein folding is modulated by the microbiota. Furthermore, we discuss how changes in the gut environment can lead to pathology and outline the implications that advances in understanding the interactions between host and microbiota will have on future research and the development of potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Fitzgerald
- WWAMI School of Medical Education, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, United States.,School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sarah Murphy
- WWAMI School of Medical Education, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, United States
| | - Holly A Martinson
- WWAMI School of Medical Education, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, United States
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Wojtunik-Kulesza K, Oniszczuk A, Waksmundzka-Hajnos M. An attempt to elucidate the role of iron and zinc ions in development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 111:1277-1289. [PMID: 30841441 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are among the most studied issues both in medicine and pharmacy. Despite long and extensive research, there is no effective treatment prescribed for such diseases, including Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Available data exposes their multi-faceted character that requires a complex and multidirectional approach to treatment. In this case, the most important challenge is to understand the neurodegenerative mechanisms, which should permit the development of more elaborate and effective therapies. In the submitted review, iron and zinc are discussed as important and perfectly possible neurodegenerative factors behind Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It is commonly known that these elements are present in living organisms and are essential for the proper operation of the body. Still, their influence is positive only when their proper balance is maintained. Otherwise, when any imbalance occurs, this can eventuate in numerous disturbances, among them oxidative stress, accumulation of amyloid β and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, let alone the increase in α-synuclein concentration. At the same time, available research data reveals certain discrepancies in approaching metal ions as either impassive, helpful, or negative factors influencing the development of neurodegenerative changes. This review outlines selected neurodegenerative disorders, highlights the role of iron and zinc in the human body and discusses cases of their imbalance leading to neurodegenerative changes as shown in vitro and in vivo studies as well as through relevant mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Oniszczuk
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Monika Waksmundzka-Hajnos
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
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Beta2-Adrenoceptor Agonists in Parkinson’s Disease and Other Synucleinopathies. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 15:74-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s11481-018-09831-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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