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Peña-Díaz S, Olsen WP, Wang H, Otzen DE. Functional Amyloids: The Biomaterials of Tomorrow? Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2312823. [PMID: 38308110 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FAs), particularly the bacterial proteins CsgA and FapC, have many useful properties as biomaterials: high stability, efficient, and controllable formation of a single type of amyloid, easy availability as extracellular material in bacterial biofilm and flexible engineering to introduce new properties. CsgA in particular has already demonstrated its worth in hydrogels for stable gastrointestinal colonization and regenerative tissue engineering, cell-specific drug release, water-purification filters, and different biosensors. It also holds promise as catalytic amyloid; existing weak and unspecific activity can undoubtedly be improved by targeted engineering and benefit from the repetitive display of active sites on a surface. Unfortunately, FapC remains largely unexplored and no application is described so far. Since FapC shares many common features with CsgA, this opens the window to its development as a functional scaffold. The multiple imperfect repeats in CsgA and FapC form a platform to introduce novel properties, e.g., in connecting linkers of variable lengths. While exploitation of this potential is still at an early stage, particularly for FapC, a thorough understanding of their molecular properties will pave the way for multifunctional fibrils which can contribute toward solving many different societal challenges, ranging from CO2 fixation to hydrolysis of plastic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - William Pallisgaard Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - Huabing Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Clinical Laboratory Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 6, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
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2
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Santos J, Cuellar J, Pallarès I, Byrd EJ, Lends A, Moro F, Abdul-Shukkoor MB, Pujols J, Velasco-Carneros L, Sobott F, Otzen DE, Calabrese AN, Muga A, Pedersen JS, Loquet A, Valpuesta JM, Radford SE, Ventura S. A Targetable N-Terminal Motif Orchestrates α-Synuclein Oligomer-to-Fibril Conversion. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38683963 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Oligomeric species populated during α-synuclein aggregation are considered key drivers of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. However, the development of oligomer-targeting therapeutics is constrained by our limited knowledge of their structure and the molecular determinants driving their conversion to fibrils. Phenol-soluble modulin α3 (PSMα3) is a nanomolar peptide binder of α-synuclein oligomers that inhibits aggregation by blocking oligomer-to-fibril conversion. Here, we investigate the binding of PSMα3 to α-synuclein oligomers to discover the mechanistic basis of this protective activity. We find that PSMα3 selectively targets an α-synuclein N-terminal motif (residues 36-61) that populates a distinct conformation in the mono- and oligomeric states. This α-synuclein region plays a pivotal role in oligomer-to-fibril conversion as its absence renders the central NAC domain insufficient to prompt this structural transition. The hereditary mutation G51D, associated with early onset Parkinson's disease, causes a conformational fluctuation in this region, leading to delayed oligomer-to-fibril conversion and an accumulation of oligomers that are resistant to remodeling by molecular chaperones. Overall, our findings unveil a new targetable region in α-synuclein oligomers, advance our comprehension of oligomer-to-amyloid fibril conversion, and reveal a new facet of α-synuclein pathogenic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jorge Cuellar
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Emily J Byrd
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Alons Lends
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac 33600, France
| | - Fernando Moro
- Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | | | - Jordi Pujols
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Lorea Velasco-Carneros
- Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Frank Sobott
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Antonio N Calabrese
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Arturo Muga
- Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Antoine Loquet
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac 33600, France
| | - Jose María Valpuesta
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Sheena E Radford
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
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3
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Aliakbari F, Marzookian K, Parsafar S, Hourfar H, Nayeri Z, Fattahi A, Raeiji M, Boroujeni NN, Otzen DE, Morshedi D. The impact of hUC MSC-derived exosome-nanoliposome hybrids on α-synuclein fibrillation and neurotoxicity. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadl3406. [PMID: 38569030 PMCID: PMC10990263 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein (αSN) protein amplifies the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Consequently, blocking aggregation or redirecting self-assembly to less toxic aggregates could be therapeutic. Here, we improve brain-specific nanocarriers using a hybrid of exosomes (Ex) from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC MSCs) and nanoliposomes containing baicalein (Ex-NLP-Ba) and oleuropein (Ex-NLP-Ole). The hybrids contained both lipid membranes, Ex proteins, and baicalein or oleuropein. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis confirmed their proper integration. The hybrids reduced the extent of αSN fibrillation and interfered with secondary nucleation and disaggregation. They not only reduced αSN pathogenicity but also enhanced drug internalization into cells, surpassing the efficacy of NLP alone, and also crossed the blood-brain barrier in a cellular model. We conclude that Ex can be successfully extracted and efficiently merged with NLPs while retaining its original properties, demonstrating great potential as a theranostic drug delivery vehicle against NDs like PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhang Aliakbari
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kimia Marzookian
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soha Parsafar
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamdam Hourfar
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Nayeri
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arghavan Fattahi
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Raeiji
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Nasrollahi Boroujeni
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Otzen DE. Antibodies and α-synuclein: What to target against Parkinson's Disease? Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom 2024; 1872:140943. [PMID: 37783321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is strongly linked to the aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn), an intrinsically disordered protein. However, strategies to combat PD by targeting the aggregation of α-syn are challenged by the multiple types of aggregates formed both in vivo and in vitro, the potential influence of chemical modifications and the as yet unresolved question of which aggregate types (oligomeric or fibrillar) are most cytotoxic. Here I briefly review the social history of α-syn, the many efforts to raise antibodies against α-syn and the disappointing results of clinical trials based on such antibodies. Ultimately a thorough understanding of the molecular and mechanistic properties of mAbs towards aggregated species of α-syn is an essential prerequisite for any clinical trial, but this is missing in most cases. I highlight new microfluidic techniques which may address this need and call for a more concerted effort to standardize antibody studies as the basis to allow us to link molecular insights to clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK - 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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5
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Monti M, Milanetti E, Frans MT, Miotto M, Di Rienzo L, Baranov MV, Gosti G, Somavarapu AK, Nagaraj M, Golbek TW, Rossing E, Moons SJ, Boltje TJ, van den Bogaart G, Weidner T, Otzen DE, Tartaglia GG, Ruocco G, Roeters SJ. Two Receptor Binding Strategy of SARS-CoV-2 Is Mediated by Both the N-Terminal and Receptor-Binding Spike Domain. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:451-464. [PMID: 38190651 PMCID: PMC10801686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
It is not well understood why severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 spreads much faster than other β-coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV. In a previous publication, we predicted the binding of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike to sialic acids (SAs). Here, we experimentally validate this interaction and present simulations that reveal a second possible interaction between SAs and the spike protein via a binding site located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). The predictions from molecular-dynamics simulations and the previously-published 2D-Zernike binding-site recognition approach were validated through flow-induced dispersion analysis (FIDA)─which reveals the capability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to bind to SA-containing (glyco)lipid vesicles, and flow-cytometry measurements─which show that spike binding is strongly decreased upon inhibition of SA expression on the membranes of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)-expressing HEK cells. Our analyses reveal that the SA binding of the NTD and RBD strongly enhances the infection-inducing ACE2 binding. Altogether, our work provides in silico, in vitro, and cellular evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus utilizes a two-receptor (SA and ACE2) strategy. This allows the SARS-CoV-2 spike to use SA moieties on the cell membrane as a binding anchor, which increases the residence time of the virus on the cell surface and aids in the binding of the main receptor, ACE2, via 2D diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Monti
- RNA
Systems Biology, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Milanetti
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Myrthe T. Frans
- Molecular
Immunology—Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mattia Miotto
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Rienzo
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maksim V. Baranov
- Molecular
Immunology—Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Giorgio Gosti
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- DHILab,
Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale, Sede di Roma, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Salaria km, 29300, 00010 Rome, Italy
| | - Arun Kumar Somavarapu
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thaddeus W. Golbek
- Department
of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Emiel Rossing
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sam J. Moons
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas J. Boltje
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Molecular
Immunology—Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department
of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- RNA
Systems Biology, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center
for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Steven J. Roeters
- Department
of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Amsterdam
UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Department of Anatomy
and Neurosciences, De
Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Nowak JS, Otzen DE. Helping proteins come in from the cold: 5 burning questions about cold-active enzymes. BBA Adv 2023; 5:100104. [PMID: 38162634 PMCID: PMC10755280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzymes from psychrophilic (cold-loving) organisms have attracted considerable interest over the past decades for their potential in various low-temperature industrial processes. However, we still lack large-scale commercialization of their activities. Here, we review their properties, limitations and potential. Our review is structured around answers to 5 central questions: 1. How do cold-active enzymes achieve high catalytic rates at low temperatures? 2. How is protein flexibility connected to cold-activity? 3. What are the sequence-based and structural determinants for cold-activity? 4. How does the thermodynamic stability of psychrophilic enzymes reflect their cold-active capabilities? 5. How do we effectively identify novel cold-active enzymes, and can we apply them in an industrial context? We conclude that emerging screening technologies combined with big-data handling and analysis make it reasonable to expect a bright future for our understanding and exploitation of cold-active enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Stanislaw Nowak
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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7
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Pathak GS, Hinge M, Otzen DE. Transdisciplinary pragmatic melioration for the plastic life cycle: Why the social, natural, and technical sciences should prioritize reducing harm. Sci Total Environ 2023; 895:165154. [PMID: 37385513 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastics underpin modern society but also threaten to choke it. Only 9 % of all plastic waste is recycled, usually with loss of quality ("downcycling"); the rest is landfilled or dumped (79 %) or incinerated (12 %). Put bluntly, the "plastic age" needs a "sustainable plastic culture." Consequently, we urgently need to develop a global and transdisciplinary approach not only to fully recycle plastics but also to manage the harms across their life cycle. The past decade has witnessed an explosion in research on new technologies and interventions that purport to help solve the plastic waste challenge; however, this work has, in most cases, been carried forward within single disciplines (for example, researching novel chemical and bio-based technologies for plastic degradation, engineering processing equipment innovations, and mapping recycling behaviours). In particular, although there has been vast progress within individual scientific fields, such work does not address the complexities of various plastic types and waste management systems. Meanwhile, research on the social contexts (and constraints) of plastic use and disposal is rarely in conversation with the sciences to drive innovation. In short, research on plastics typically lacks a transdisciplinary perspective. In this review, we urge the adoption of a transdisciplinary approach that focuses on pragmatic melioration; such an approach combines the natural and technical sciences with the social sciences to focus on the mitigation of harms across the plastic life cycle. To illustrate our case, we review the status of plastic recycling from these three scientific perspectives. Based on this, we advocate 1) foundational studies to identify sources of harm and 2) global/local interventions aimed at those plastics and aspects of the plastic life cycle that cause maximal harm, both in terms of planetary welfare and social justice. We believe this approach to plastic stewardship can be a showcase for tackling other environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri S Pathak
- Department of Global Studies, Aarhus University, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 7, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Mogens Hinge
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering - Process and Materials Engineering, Aarhus University, Aabogade 40, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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8
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Rusbjerg-Weberskov C, Johansen ML, Nowak JS, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS, Enghild JJ, Nielsen NS. Periostin C-Terminal Is Intrinsically Disordered and Interacts with 143 Proteins in an In Vitro Epidermal Model of Atopic Dermatitis. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2803-2815. [PMID: 37704583 PMCID: PMC10552548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Human periostin is a 78-91 kDa matricellular protein implicated in extracellular matrix remodeling, tumor development, metastasis, and inflammatory diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and asthma. The protein consists of six domains, including an N-terminal Cys-rich CROPT domain, four fasciclin-1 domains, and a C-terminal domain. The exons encoding the C-terminal domain may be alternatively spliced by shuffling four exons, generating ten variants of unknown function. Here, we investigate the structure and interactome of the full-length variant of the C-terminal domain with no exons spliced out. The structural analysis showed that the C-terminal domain lacked a tertiary structure and was intrinsically disordered. In addition, we show that the motif responsible for heparin-binding is in the conserved very C-terminal part of periostin. Pull-down confirmed three known interaction partners and identified an additional 140 proteins, among which nine previously have been implicated in atopic dermatitis. Based on our findings, we suggest that the C-terminal domain of periostin facilitates interactions between connective tissue components in concert with the four fasciclin domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mette Liere Johansen
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Aarhus
C 8000, Denmark
| | - Jan S. Nowak
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Aarhus
C 8000, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Aarhus
C 8000, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Department
of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Jan J. Enghild
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Aarhus
C 8000, Denmark
| | - Nadia Sukusu Nielsen
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Aarhus
C 8000, Denmark
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9
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Ali SA, Chung KHK, Forgham H, Olsen WP, Kakinen A, Balaji A, Otzen DE, Davis TP, Javed I. Alzheimer's Progenitor Amyloid-β Targets and Dissolves Microbial Amyloids and Impairs Biofilm Function. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2301423. [PMID: 37594661 PMCID: PMC10582422 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading form of dementia where the presence of extra-neuronal plaques of Amyloid-β (Aβ) is a pathological hallmark. However, Aβ peptide is also observed in the intestinal tissues of AD patients and animal models. In this study, it is reported that Aβ monomers can target and disintegrate microbial amyloids of FapC and CsgA formed by opportunistic gut pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, explaining a potential role of Aβ in the gut-brain axis. Employing a zebrafish-based transparent in vivo system and whole-mount live-imaging, Aβ is observed to diffuse into the vasculature and subsequently localize with FapC or CsgA fibrils that were injected into the tail muscles of the fish. FapC aggregates, produced after Aβ treatment (Faβ), present selective toxicity to SH-SY5Y neuronal cells while the intestinal Caco-2 cells are shown to phagocytose Faβ in a non-toxic cellular process. After remodeling by Aβ, microbial fibrils lose their native function of cell adhesion with intestinal Caco-2 cells and Aβ dissolves and detaches the microbial fibrils already attached to the cell membrane. Taken together, this study strongly indicates an anti-biofilm role for Aβ monomers that can help aid in the future development of selective anti-Alzheimer's and anti-infective medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Aoun Ali
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
| | - Ka Hang Karen Chung
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
| | - Helen Forgham
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
| | - William P. Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityGustav Wieds Vej 14Aarhus C8000Denmark
- Sino‐Danish Center (SDC)Eastern Yanqihu CampusUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences380 Huaibeizhuang, Huairou DistrictBeijing101400China
| | - Aleksandr Kakinen
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
- Institute of BiotechnologyHiLIFEUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinki00014Finland
| | - Arunpandian Balaji
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityGustav Wieds Vej 14Aarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Thomas Paul Davis
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
| | - Ibrahim Javed
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQld4072Australia
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10
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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11
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Rasmussen HØ, Nielsen J, de Poli A, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS. Tau Fibrillation Induced by Heparin or a Lysophospholipid Show Different Initial Oligomer Formation. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168194. [PMID: 37437877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The protein tau is involved in several neurogenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, where tau content and fibrillation have been linked to disease progression. Tau colocalizes with phospholipids and glycosaminoglycans in vivo. We investigated if and how tau fibrillation can be induced by two lysophospholipids, namely the zwitterionic 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LPC) and the anionic 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (LPG) as well as the glycosaminoglycan heparin. We used a range of biophysical techniques including small-angle X-ray scattering, Thioflavin T fluorescence, and SDS-PAGE, collecting data at various time points to obtain structural information on each phase of the fibrillation. We find that LPC does not induce fibrillation or interact with tau. Low concentrations of LPG induce fibrillation by formation of small hydrophobic clusters with monomeric tau. At higher LPG concentrations, a core-shell complex is formed where tau wraps around LPG micelles with regions extending away from the micelles. For heparin, loosely associated oligomers are formed rapidly with around ten tau molecules. Fibrils formed with either LPG or heparin show similar final cross-section dimensions. Furthermore, SDS-resistant oligomers are observed for both LPG and heparin. Our study demonstrates that tau fibrillation can be induced by two different biologically relevant cofactors leading to structurally different initial states but similar cross-sectional dimensions for the fibrils. Structural information about initial states prior to fibril formation is important both to gain a better understanding of the onset of fibrillation in vivo, and for the development of targeted drugs that can reduce or abolish tau fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Østergaard Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, 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
| | - Angela de Poli
- 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; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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12
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Andersen CB, Lausdahl AK, Nielsen J, Clausen MP, Mulder FAA, Otzen DE, Arnspang EC. 4-Oxo-2-nonenal-Induced α-Synuclein Oligomers Interact with Membranes in the Cell, Leading to Mitochondrial Fragmentation. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2417-2425. [PMID: 37487228 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and formation of cytotoxic oligomers by the natively unfolded protein α-synuclein (α-syn) are both connected to the development of Parkinson's disease. This effect has been linked to lipid peroxidation and membrane disruption, but the specific mechanisms behind these phenomena remain unclear. To address this, we have prepared α-syn oligomers (αSOs) in vitro in the presence of the lipid peroxidation product 4-oxo-2-nonenal and investigated their interaction with live cells using in-cell NMR as well as stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution and confocal microscopy. We find that the αSOs interact strongly with organellar components, leading to strong immobilization of the protein's otherwise flexible C-terminus. STED microscopy reveals that the oligomers localize to small circular structures inside the cell, while confocal microscopy shows mitochondrial fragmentation and association with both late endosome and retromer complex before the SOs interact with mitochondria. Our study provides direct evidence for close contact between cytotoxic α-syn aggregates and membraneous compartments in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla B Andersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Green Technology, SDU-Biotechnology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Astrid K Lausdahl
- Department of Green Technology, SDU-Biotechnology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mathias P Clausen
- Department of Green Technology, SDU-Biotechnology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Frans A A Mulder
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Eva C Arnspang
- Department of Green Technology, SDU-Biotechnology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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13
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Singh Y, Trautwein C, Romani J, Salker MS, Neckel PH, Fraccaroli I, Abeditashi M, Woerner N, Admard J, Dhariwal A, Dueholm MKD, Schäfer KH, Lang F, Otzen DE, Lashuel HA, Riess O, Casadei N. Overexpression of human alpha-Synuclein leads to dysregulated microbiome/metabolites with ageing in a rat model of Parkinson disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:44. [PMID: 37403161 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00628-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Braak's hypothesis states that sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) follows a specific progression of pathology from the peripheral to the central nervous system, and this progression can be monitored by detecting the accumulation of alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) protein. Consequently, there is growing interest in understanding how the gut (commensal) microbiome can regulate α-Syn accumulation, as this could potentially lead to PD. METHODS We used 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing to characterise microbial diversity. 1H-NMR was employed to understand the metabolite production and intestinal inflammation estimated using ELISA and RNA-sequencing from feces and the intestinal epithelial layer respectively. The Na+ channel current and gut permeability were measured using an Ussing chamber. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence imaging were applied to detect the α-Syn protein. LC-MS/MS was used for characterization of proteins from metabolite treated neuronal cells. Finally, Metascape and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) bioinformatics tools were used for identification of dysregulated pathways. RESULTS We studied a transgenic (TG) rat model overexpressing the human SNCA gene and found that a progressive gut microbial composition alteration characterized by the reduction of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio could be detected in the young TG rats. Interestingly, this ratio then increased with ageing. The dynamics of Lactobacillus and Alistipes were monitored and reduced Lactobacillus and increased Alistipes abundance was discerned in ageing TG rats. Additionally, the SNCA gene overexpression resulted in gut α-Syn protein expression and increased with advanced age. Further, older TG animals had increased intestinal inflammation, decreased Na+ current and a robust alteration in metabolite production characterized by the increase of succinate levels in feces and serum. Manipulation of the gut bacteria by short-term antibiotic cocktail treatment revealed a complete loss of short-chain fatty acids and a reduction in succinate levels. Although antibiotic cocktail treatment did not change α-Syn expression in the enteric nervous system of the colon, however, reduced α-Syn expression was detected in the olfactory bulbs (forebrain) of the TG rats. CONCLUSION Our data emphasize that the gut microbiome dysbiosis synchronous with ageing leads to a specific alteration of gut metabolites and can be modulated by antibiotics which may affect PD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Singh
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- NGS Competence Centre Tübingen (NCCT), University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Research Institute of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7/6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Werner Siemens Imaging Centre (WSIC), Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joan Romani
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), SV LMNN Station 19, 1015 CH, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Madhuri S Salker
- Research Institute of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7/6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter H Neckel
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Österbergstraße 3, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Fraccaroli
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mahkameh Abeditashi
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nils Woerner
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jakob Admard
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Achal Dhariwal
- Institute of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 10, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten K D Dueholm
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Karl-Herbert Schäfer
- Enteric Nervous System Working Group, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Zweibrücken Campus, Amerikastrasse 1, 66482, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Florian Lang
- Institute of Vegetative Physiology, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstaße 56, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Naonscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), SV LMNN Station 19, 1015 CH, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- NGS Competence Centre Tübingen (NCCT), University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- NGS Competence Centre Tübingen (NCCT), University of Tübingen, Calwerstaße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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14
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Evans DCS, Khamas AB, Marcussen L, Rasmussen KS, Klitgaard JK, Kallipolitis BH, Nielsen J, Otzen DE, Leake MC, Meyer RL. GFP fusions of Sec-routed extracellular proteins in Staphylococcus aureus reveal surface-associated coagulase in biofilms. Microb Cell 2023; 10:145-156. [PMID: 37395997 PMCID: PMC10311078 DOI: 10.15698/mic2023.07.800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that utilises many surface-associated and secreted proteins to form biofilms and cause disease. However, our understanding of these processes is limited by challenges of using fluorescent protein reporters in their native environment, because they must be exported and fold correctly to become fluorescent. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of using the monomeric superfolder GFP (msfGFP) exported from S. aureus. By fusing msfGFP to signal peptides for the Secretory (Sec) and Twin Arginine Translocation (Tat) pathways, the two major secretion pathways in S. aureus, we quantified msfGFP fluorescence in bacterial cultures and cell-free supernatant from the cultures. When fused to a Tat signal peptide, we detected msfGFP fluorescence inside but not outside bacterial cells, indicating a failure to export msfGFP. However, when fused to a Sec signal peptide, msfGFP fluorescence was present outside cells, indicating successful export of the msfGFP in the unfolded state, followed by extracellular folding and maturation to the photoactive state. We applied this strategy to study coagulase (Coa), a secreted protein and a major contributor to the formation of a fibrin network in S. aureus biofilms that protects bacteria from the host immune system and increases attachment to host surfaces. We confirmed that a genomically integrated C-terminal fusion of Coa to msfGFP does not impair the activity of Coa or its localisation within the biofilm matrix. Our findings demonstrate that msfGFP is a good candidate fluorescent reporter to consider when studying proteins secreted by the Sec pathway in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique C. S. Evans
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Physics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Amanda B. Khamas
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Marcussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian S. Rasmussen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Janne K. Klitgaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Birgitte H. Kallipolitis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mark C. Leake
- Department of Physics, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Rikke L. Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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15
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Sønderby TV, Louros NN, Khodaparast L, Khodaparast L, Madsen DJ, Olsen WP, Moonen N, Nagaraj M, Sereikaite V, Strømgaard K, Rousseau F, Schymkowitz J, Otzen DE. Sequence-targeted Peptides Divert Functional Bacterial Amyloid Towards Destabilized Aggregates and Reduce Biofilm Formation. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168039. [PMID: 37330291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Functional bacterial amyloid provides structural stability in biofilm, making it a promising target for anti-biofilm therapeutics. Fibrils formed by CsgA, the major amyloid component in E. coli are extremely robust and can withstand very harsh conditions. Like other functional amyloids, CsgA contains relatively short aggregation-prone regions (APR) which drive amyloid formation. Here, we demonstrate the use of aggregation-modulating peptides to knock down CsgA protein into aggregates with low stability and altered morphology. Remarkably, these CsgA-peptides also modulate fibrillation of the unrelated functional amyloid protein FapC from Pseudomonas, possibly through recognition of FapC segments with structural and sequence similarity with CsgA. The peptides also reduce the level of biofilm formation in E. coli and P. aeruginosa, demonstrating the potential for selective amyloid targeting to combat bacterial biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorbjørn V Sønderby
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center (SDC), Eastern Yanqihu Campus, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 380 Huaibeizhuang, Huairou District, Beijing, China. https://twitter.com/@tvs1212
| | - Nikolaos N Louros
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/LourosNikos
| | - Ladan Khodaparast
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@LadanKhodapara1
| | - Laleh Khodaparast
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@LalehKhodapara1
| | - Daniel J Madsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - William P Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center (SDC), Eastern Yanqihu Campus, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 380 Huaibeizhuang, Huairou District, Beijing, China
| | - Nele Moonen
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@vitasereikaite
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@stromgaardlab
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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16
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Somavarapu AK, Kleijwegt G, Nagaraj M, Alam P, Nielsen J, Otzen DE. Drug repurposing screens identify compounds that inhibit α-synuclein oligomers' membrane disruption and block antibody interactions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:3030-3047. [PMID: 36937574 PMCID: PMC10016340 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05534a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small soluble oligomers of the protein α-synuclein (αSO) have been linked to disruptions in neuronal homeostasis, contributing to the development of Parkinson's Disease (PD). While this makes αSO an obvious drug target, the development of effective therapeutics against αSO is challenged by its low abundance and structural and morphological complexity. Here, we employ two different approaches to neutralize toxic interactions made by αSOs with different cellular components. First, we use available data to identify four neuronal proteins as likely candidates for αSO interactions, namely Cfl1, Uchl1, Sirt2 and SerRS. However, despite promising results when immobilized, all 4 proteins only bind weakly to αSO in solution in microfluidic assays, making them inappropriate for screening. In contrast, the formation of stable contacts formed between αSO and vesicles consisting of anionic lipids not only mimics a likely biological role of αSO but also provided a platform to screen two small molecule libraries for disruptors of these contacts. Of the 7 best leads obtained in this way, 2 significantly impaired αSO contacts with other proteins in a sandwich ELISA assay using αSO-binding monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies. In addition, 5 of these leads suppressed α-synuclein amyloid formation. Thus, a repurposing screening that directly targets a key culprit in PD pathogenesis shows therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Somavarapu
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Giulia Kleijwegt
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Parvez Alam
- 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
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17
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Pirhaghi M, Najarzadeh Z, Moosavi-Movahedi F, Shafizadeh M, Mamashli F, Atarod D, Ghasemi A, Morshedi D, Meratan AA, Otzen DE, Saboury AA. The anti-platelet drug ticlopidine inhibits FapC fibrillation and biofilm production: Highlighting its antibiotic activity. Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom 2023; 1871:140883. [PMID: 36455808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance of bacteria and persistent infections related to biofilms, as well as the low availability of new antibacterial drugs, make it urgent to develop new antibiotics. Here, we evaluate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of ticlopidine (TP), an anti-platelet aggregation drug, TP showed antibacterial activity against both gram-positive (MRSA) and gram-negative (E. coli, and P. aeruginosa) bacteria over a long treatment period. TP significantly reduced the survival of gram-negative bacteria in human blood though impact on gram-positives was more limited. TP may cause death in MRSA by inhibiting staphyloxanthin pigment synthesis, leading to oxidative stress, while scanning electron microscopy imaging indicate a loss of membrane integrity, damage, and consequent death due to lysis in gram-negative bacteria. TP showed good anti-biofilm activity against P. aeruginosa and MRSA, and a stronger biofilm degradation activity on P. aeruginosa compared to MRSA. Measuring fluorescence of the amyloid-reporter Thioflavin T (ThT) in biofilm implicated inhibition of amyloid formation as part of TP activity. This was confirmed by assays on the purified protein in P. aeruginosa, FapC, whose fibrillation kinetics was inhibited by TP. TP prolonged the lag phase of aggregation and reduced the subsequent growth rate and prolonging the lag phase to very long times provides ample opportunity to exert TP's antibacterial effect. We conclude that TP shows activity as an antibiotic against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria thanks to a broad range of activities, targeting bacterial metabolic processes, cellular structures and the biofilm matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Mahshid Shafizadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mamashli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Deyhim Atarod
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Ghasemi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Meratan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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18
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Hadi Ali Janvand S, Ladefoged LK, Zubrienė A, Sakalauskas A, Christiansen G, Dudutienė V, Schiøtt B, Matulis D, Smirnovas V, Otzen DE. Inhibitory effects of fluorinated benzenesulfonamides on insulin fibrillation. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 227:590-600. [PMID: 36529223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are protein aggregates formed by protein assembly through cross β structures. Inhibition of amyloid fibril formation may contribute to therapy against amyloid-related disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes. Here we report that several fluorinated sulfonamide compounds, previously shown to inhibit human carbonic anhydrase, also inhibit the fibrillation of different proteins. Using a range of spectroscopic, microscopic and chromatographic techniques, we found that the two fluorinated sulfonamide compounds completely inhibit insulin fibrillation over a period of 16 h and moderately suppress α-synuclein and Aβ fibrillation. In addition, these compounds decreased cell toxicity of insulin incubated under fibrillation-inducing conditions. We ascribe these effects to their ability to maintain insulin in the native monomeric state. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that these compounds inhibit insulin self-association by interacting with residues at the dimer interface. This highlights the general anti-aggregative properties of aromatic sulfonamides and suggests that sulfonamide compounds which inhibit carbonic anhydrase activity may have potential as therapeutic agents against amyloid-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Hadi Ali Janvand
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lucy Kate Ladefoged
- iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Asta Zubrienė
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Andrius Sakalauskas
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 3b, DK-9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Virginija Dudutienė
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Birgit Schiøtt
- iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daumantas Matulis
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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19
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Rasmussen HØ, Kumar A, Shin B, Stylianou F, Sewell L, Xu Y, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS, Matthews SJ. FapA is an Intrinsically Disordered Chaperone for Pseudomonas Functional Amyloid FapC. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167878. [PMID: 36368411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial functional amyloids contribute to biofilm development by bacteria and provide protection from the immune system and prevent antibiotic treatment. Strategies to target amyloid formation and interrupt biofilm formation have attracted recent interest due to their antimicrobial potential. Functional amyloid in Pseudomonas (Fap) includes FapC as the major component of the fibril while FapB is a minor component suggested to function as a nucleator of FapC. The system also includes the small periplasmic protein FapA, which has been shown to regulate fibril composition and morphology. The interplay between these three components is central in Fap fibril biogenesis. Here we present a comprehensive biophysical and spectroscopy analysis of FapA, FapB and FapC and provide insight into their molecular interactions. We show that all three proteins are primarily disordered with some regions with structural propensities for α-helix and β-sheet. FapA inhibits FapC fibrillation by targeting the nucleation step, whereas for FapB the elongation step is modulated. Furthermore, FapA alters the morphology of FapC (more than FapB) fibrils. Complex formation is observed between FapA and FapC, but not between FapA and FapB, and likely involves the N-terminus of FapA. We conclude that FapA is an intrinsically disordered chaperone for FapC that guards against fibrillation within the periplasm. This new understanding of a natural protective mechanism of Pseudomonas against amyloid formations can serve as inspiration for strategies blocking biofilm formation in infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Ø Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Shin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fisentzos Stylianou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Sewell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingqi Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Steve J Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
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20
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He J, Steffen JH, Thulstrup PW, Pedersen JN, Sauerland MB, Otzen DE, Hawkins CL, Gourdon P, Davies MJ, Hägglund P. Anastellin impacts on the processing of extracellular matrix fibronectin and stimulates release of cytokines from coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22051. [PMID: 36543832 PMCID: PMC9772232 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26359-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Anastellin, a recombinant protein fragment from the first type III module of fibronectin, mimics a partially unfolded intermediate implicated in the assembly of fibronectin fibrils. Anastellin influences the structure of fibronectin and initiates in vitro fibrillation, yielding "superfibronectin", a polymer with enhanced cell-adhesive properties. This ability is absent in an anastellin double mutant, L37AY40A. Here we demonstrate that both wild-type and L37AY40A anastellin affect fibronectin processing within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of smooth muscle cells. Fibronectin fibrils are diminished in the ECM from cells treated with anastellin, but are partially rescued by supplementation with plasma fibronectin in cell media. Proteomic analyses reveal that anastellin also impacts on the processing of other ECM proteins, with increased collagen and decreased laminin detected in media from cells exposed to wild-type anastellin. Moreover, both anastellin forms stimulate release of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 6. At the molecular level, L37AY40A does not exhibit major perturbations of structural features relative to wild-type anastellin, though the mutant showed differences in heparin binding characteristics. These findings indicate that wild-type and L37AY40A anastellin share similar molecular features but elicit slightly different, but partially overlapping, responses in smooth muscle cells resulting in altered secretion of cytokines and proteins involved in ECM processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei He
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Hyld Steffen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Waaben Thulstrup
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.432104.0Present Address: Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S, Sønderupvej 26, 6920 Videbæk, Denmark
| | - Max B. Sauerland
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Clare L. Hawkins
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael J. Davies
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Hägglund
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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21
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Nayeri Z, Aliakbari F, Afzali F, Parsafar S, Gharib E, Otzen DE, Morshedi D. Characterization of exogenous αSN response genes and their relation to Parkinson’s disease using network analyses. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:966760. [PMID: 36249814 PMCID: PMC9563388 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.966760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of αSN in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology are still poorly understood. To address this, we used a microarray dataset to identify genes that are induced and differentially expressed after exposure to toxic αSN aggregates, which we call exogenous αSN response (EASR) genes. Using systems biology approaches, we then determined, at multiple levels of analysis, how these EASR genes could be related to PD pathology. A key result was the identification of functional connections between EASR genes and previously identified PD-related genes by employing the proteins’ interactions networks and 9 brain region-specific co-expression networks. In each brain region, co-expression modules of EASR genes were enriched for gene sets whose expression are altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to the hypothesis that EASR co-expression genes may explain the observed links between COVID-19 and PD. An examination of the expression pattern of EASR genes in different non-neurological healthy brain regions revealed that regions with lower mean expression of the upregulated EASR genes, such as substantia nigra, are more vulnerable to αSN aggregates and lose their neurological functions during PD progression. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of healthy and PD samples from substantia nigra revealed that a specific co-expression network, “TNF-α signaling via NF-κB”, is an upregulated pathway associated with the PD phenotype. Inhibitors of the “TNF-α signaling via NF-κB” pathway may, therefore, decrease the activity level of this pathway and thereby provide therapeutic benefits for PD patients. We virtually screened FDA-approved drugs against these upregulated genes (NR4A1, DUSP1, and FOS) using docking-based drug discovery and identified several promising drugs. Altogether, our study provides a better understanding of αSN toxicity mechanisms in PD and identifies potential therapeutic targets and small molecules for treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Nayeri
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhang Aliakbari
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Farzaneh Afzali
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Soha Parsafar
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Gharib
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University de Moncton, Moncton, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Dina Morshedi,
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22
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Otzen DE, Pedersen JN, Rasmussen HØ, Pedersen JS. How do surfactants unfold and refold proteins? Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 308:102754. [PMID: 36027673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Although the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, has been used for more than half a century as a versatile and efficient protein denaturant for protein separation and size estimation, there is still controversy about its mode of interaction with proteins. The term "rod-like" structures for the complexes that form between SDS and protein, originally introduced by Tanford, is not sufficiently descriptive and does not distinguish between the two current vying models, namely protein-decorated micelles a.k.a. the core-shell model (in which denatured protein covers the surface of micelles) versus beads-on-a-string model (where unfolded proteins are surrounded by surfactant micelles). Thanks to a combination of structural, kinetic and computational work particularly within the last 5-10 years, it is now possible to rule decisively in favor of the core-shell model. This is supported unambiguously by a combination of calorimetric and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques and confirmed by increasingly sophisticated molecular dynamics simulations. Depending on the SDS:protein ratio and the protein molecular mass, the formed structures can range from multiple partly unfolded protein molecules surrounding a single shared micelle to a single polypeptide chain decorating multiple micelles. We also have much new insight into how this species forms. It is preceded by the binding of small numbers of SDS molecules which subsequently grow by accretion. Time-resolved SAXS analysis reveals an asymmetric attack by SDS micelles followed by distribution of the increasingly unfolded protein around the micelle. The compactness of the protein chain continues to evolve at higher SDS concentrations according to single-molecule studies, though the protein remains completely denatured on the tertiary structural level. SDS denaturation can be reversed by addition of nonionic surfactants that absorb SDS forming mixed micelles, leaving the protein free to refold. Refolding can occur in parallel tracks if only a fraction of the protein is initially stripped of SDS. SDS unfolding is nearly always reversible unless carried out at low pH, where charge neutralization can lead to superclusters of protein-surfactant complexes. With the general mechanism of SDS denaturation now firmly established, it largely remains to explore how other ionic surfactants (including biosurfactants) may diverge from this path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Helena Østergaard Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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23
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Bisiak F, Chrenková A, Zhang SD, Pedersen JN, Otzen DE, Zhang YE, Brodersen DE. Structural variations between small alarmone hydrolase dimers support different modes of regulation of the stringent response. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102142. [PMID: 35714769 PMCID: PMC9293644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial stringent response involves wide-ranging metabolic reprogramming aimed at increasing long-term survivability during stress conditions. One of the hallmarks of the stringent response is the production of a set of modified nucleotides, known as alarmones, which affect a multitude of cellular pathways in diverse ways. Production and degradation of these molecules depend on the activity of enzymes from the RelA/SpoT homologous family, which come in both bifunctional (containing domains to both synthesize and hydrolyze alarmones) and monofunctional (consisting of only synthetase or hydrolase domain) variants, of which the structure, activity, and regulation of the bifunctional RelA/SpoT homologs have been studied most intensely. Despite playing an important role in guanosine nucleotide homeostasis in particular, mechanisms of regulation of the small alarmone hydrolases (SAHs) are still rather unclear. Here, we present crystal structures of SAH enzymes from Corynebacterium glutamicum (RelHCg) and Leptospira levettii (RelHLl) and show that while being highly similar, structural differences in substrate access and dimer conformations might be important for regulating their activity. We propose that a varied dimer form is a general property of the SAH family, based on current structural information as well as prediction models for this class of enzymes. Finally, subtle structural variations between monofunctional and bifunctional enzymes point to how these different classes of enzymes are regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bisiak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Adriana Chrenková
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sheng-Da Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Jannik N Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNano), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNano), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yong E Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 København N, Denmark
| | - Ditlev E Brodersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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24
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Alam P, Holst MR, Lauritsen L, Nielsen J, Nielsen SSE, Jensen PH, Brewer JR, Otzen DE, Nielsen MS. Polarized α-synuclein trafficking and transcytosis across brain endothelial cells via Rab7-decorated carriers. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:37. [PMID: 35637478 PMCID: PMC9150364 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00334-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractParkinson’s disease is mainly caused by aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. Exchange of α-syn between the brain and peripheral tissues could have important pathophysiological and therapeutic implications, but the trafficking mechanism of α-syn across the blood brain-barrier (BBB) remains unclear. In this study, we therefore investigated uptake and transport mechanisms of α-syn monomers and oligomers across an in vitro BBB model system. Both α-syn monomers and oligomers were internalized by primary brain endothelial cells, with increased restriction of oligomeric over monomeric transport. To enlighten the trafficking route of monomeric α-syn in brain endothelial cells, we investigated co-localization of α-syn and intracellular markers of vesicular transport. Here, we observed the highest colocalization with clathrin, Rab7 and VPS35, suggesting a clathrin-dependent internalization, preferentially followed by a late endosome retromer-connected trafficking pathway. Furthermore, STED microscopy revealed monomeric α-syn trafficking via Rab7-decorated carriers. Knockdown of Caveolin1, VPS35, and Rab7 using siRNA did not affect monomeric α-syn uptake into endothelial cells. However, it significantly reduced transcytosis of monomeric α-syn in the luminal-abluminal direction, suggesting a polarized regulation of monomeric α-syn vesicular transport. Our findings suggest a direct role for Rab7 in polarized trafficking of monomeric α-syn across BBB endothelium, and the potential of Rab7 directed trafficking to constitute a target pathway for new therapeutic strategies against Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies.
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25
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Mohammad-Beigi H, Zanganeh M, Scavenius C, Eskandari H, Farzadfard A, Shojaosadati SA, Enghild JJ, Otzen DE, Buell AK, Sutherland DS. A Protein Corona Modulates Interactions of α-Synuclein with Nanoparticles and Alters the Rates of the Microscopic Steps of Amyloid Formation. ACS Nano 2022; 16:1102-1118. [PMID: 34982538 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c08825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) can modulate protein aggregation and fibril formation in the context of amyloid diseases. Understanding the mechanism of this action remains a critical next step in developing nanomedicines for the treatment or prevention of Parkinson's disease. α-Synuclein (α-Syn) can undergo interactions of different strength with nanoparticles, and these interactions can be prevented by the presence of a protein corona (PC) acquired during the exposure of NPs to serum proteins. Here, we develop a method to attach the PC irreversibly to the NPs, which enables us to study in detail the interaction of α-Syn and polyethylenimine-coated carboxyl-modified polystyrene NPs (PsNPs-PEI) and the role of the dynamics of the interactions. Analysis of the kinetics of fibril formation reveals that the NPs surface promotes the primary nucleation step of amyloid fibril formation without significantly affecting the elongation and fragmentation steps or the final equilibrium. Furthermore, the results show that even though α-Syn can access the surface of NPs that are precoated with a PC, due to the dynamic nature of the PC proteins, the PC nevertheless reduces the acceleratoring effect of the NPs. This effect is likely to be caused by reducing the overall amount of weakly interacting α-Syn molecules on the NP surface and the access of further α-Syn required for fibril elongation. Our experimental approach provides microscopic insight into how serum proteins can modulate the complex interplay between NPs and amyloid proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Masumeh Zanganeh
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, 14115-143 Tehran, Iran
| | - Carsten Scavenius
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hoda Eskandari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Azad Farzadfard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Seyed Abbas Shojaosadati
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, 14115-143 Tehran, Iran
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Duncan S Sutherland
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- The Centre for Cellular Signal Patterns (CellPAT), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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26
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Rasmussen HØ, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS. Induction, inhibition, and incorporation: Different roles for anionic and zwitterionic lysolipids in the fibrillation of the functional amyloid FapC. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101569. [PMID: 35007533 PMCID: PMC8888460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid proteins are widespread in nature both as pathological species involved in several diseases and as functional entities that can provide protection and storage for the organism. Lipids have been found in amyloid deposits from various amyloid diseases and have been shown to strongly affect the formation and structure of both pathological and functional amyloid proteins. Here, we investigate how fibrillation of the functional amyloid FapC from Pseudomonas is affected by two lysolipids, the zwitterionic lipid 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and the anionic lipid 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) (LPG). Small-angle X-ray scattering, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, and thioflavin T fluorescence measurements were performed simultaneously on the same sample to ensure reproducibility and allow a multimethod integrated analysis. We found that LPG strongly induces fibrillation around its critical micelle concentration (cmc) by promoting formation of large structures, which mature via accumulation of intermediate fibril structures with a large cross section. At concentrations above its cmc, LPG strongly inhibits fibrillation by locking FapC in a core–shell complex. In contrast, lipid 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine induces fibrillation at concentrations above its cmc, not via strong interactions with FapC but by being incorporated during fibrillation and likely stabilizing the fibrillation nucleus to reduce the lag phase. Finally, we show that LPG is not incorporated into the fibril during assembly but rather can coat the final fibril. We conclude that lipids affect both the mechanism and outcome of fibrillation of functional amyloid, highlighting a role for lipid concentration and composition in the onset and mechanism of fibrillation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Østergaard Rasmussen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, 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; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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27
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Nagaraj M, Najarzadeh Z, Pansieri J, Biverstål H, Musteikyte G, Smirnovas V, Matthews S, Emanuelsson C, Johansson J, Buxbaum JN, Morozova-Roche L, Otzen DE. Chaperones mainly suppress primary nucleation during formation of functional amyloid required for bacterial biofilm formation. Chem Sci 2022; 13:536-553. [PMID: 35126986 PMCID: PMC8729806 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05790a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases, aggregation of functional amyloids involved in bacterial biofilm, e.g. CsgA (E. coli) and FapC (Pseudomonas), is carefully regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Pansieri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, S – 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Greta Musteikyte
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Steve Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Cecilia Emanuelsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, PO Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Janne Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, S – 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Joel N. Buxbaum
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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28
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Choong FX, Huzell S, Rosenberg M, Eckert JA, Nagaraj M, Zhang T, Melican K, Otzen DE, Richter-Dahlfors A. A semi high-throughput method for real-time monitoring of curli producing Salmonella biofilms on air-solid interfaces. Biofilm 2021; 3:100060. [PMID: 34841245 PMCID: PMC8605384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms enable bacteria to colonize numerous ecological niches. Bacteria within a biofilm are protected by the extracellular matrix (ECM), of which the fibril-forming amyloid protein curli and polysaccharide cellulose are major components in members of Salmonella, Eschericha and Mycobacterium genus. A shortage of real-time detection methods has limited our understanding of how ECM production contributes to biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Here we present optotracing as a new semi-high throughput method for dynamic monitoring of Salmonella biofilm growth on air-solid interfaces. We show how an optotracer with binding-induced fluorescence acts as a dynamic fluorescent reporter of curli expression during biofilm formation on agar. Using spectrophotometry and microscopic imaging of fluorescence, we analyse in real-time the development of the curli architecture in relation to bacterial cells. With exceptional spatial and temporal precision, this revealed a well-structured, non-uniform distribution of curli organised in distally projecting radial channel patterns. Dynamic monitoring of the biofilm also showed defined regions undergoing different growth phases. ECM structures were found to assemble in regions of late exponential growth phase, suggesting that ECM forms on site after bacteria colonize the surface. As the optotracer biofilm method expedites screening of curli production, providing exceptional spatial-temporal understanding of the surface-associated biofilm lifestyle, this method adds a new technique to further our understanding of bacterial biofilms. Design and evaluation of a method for real-time biofilm experimentation. Optotracing enables real-time monitoring of biofilm formation on solid supports. Definitive biofilm monitoring by selective tracking of ECM components. A method reducing the inherent biases of morphotyping. A semi-high throughput method increasing the ease and efficiency of biofilm detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand X Choong
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Smilla Huzell
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ming Rosenberg
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes A Eckert
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tianqi Zhang
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Keira Melican
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agneta Richter-Dahlfors
- AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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29
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Rahimi Aqdam S, Otzen DE, Mahmoodi NM, Morshedi D. Adsorption of azo dyes by a novel bio-nanocomposite based on whey protein nanofibrils and nano-clay: Equilibrium isotherm and kinetic modeling. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 602:490-503. [PMID: 34139542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.05.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Excessive discharge of synthetic azo dyes into the aquatic ecosystem is a global concern. Here, we develop a green approach to remediate dye pollutants by fabricating an easily separable bio-nanocomposite, based on nanofibrils from whey protein concentrate together with montmorillonite. The nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and surface area analysis. Nanofibrils lead to a uniform dispersion of montmorillonite in the matrix and also reinforce the nanocomposite. The adsorption efficacy was monitored using cationic (Chrysoidine-G, Bismarck brown-R), reactive (reactive black-5, reactive orange-16), acidic (acid red-88, acid red-114) and direct (direct violet-51, Congo red) dyes. The nanocomposite adsorbed different dyes with different kinetics, cationic dyes quicker and reactive dyes slower. Greater than 93% of Chrysoidine-G was adsorbed over a wide range of dye concentration and pH. Acidic pH and higher temperature are more favorable for the process. Equilibrium adsorption data were reasonably fitted with a linear (Nernst) isotherm model indicating the existence of an unlimited number of adsorption sites which is consistent with the high experimental uptake of 731 mg/g. Kinetic data were well-described by pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models. We conclude that this environmentally friendly nanocomposite has good potential for use in wastewater treatment and related purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabboo Rahimi Aqdam
- Bioprocess Engineering Research Group, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Niyaz Mohammad Mahmoodi
- Department of Environmental Research, Institute for Color Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Bioprocess Engineering Research Group, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
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30
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Haikal C, Ortigosa-Pascual L, Najarzadeh Z, Bernfur K, Svanbergsson A, Otzen DE, Linse S, Li JY. The Bacterial Amyloids Phenol Soluble Modulins from Staphylococcus aureus Catalyze Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11594. [PMID: 34769023 PMCID: PMC8584152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) is the main constituent of Lewy bodies, which are a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Environmental factors are thought to be potential triggers capable of initiating the aggregation of the otherwise monomeric α-syn. Braak's seminal work redirected attention to the intestine and recent reports of dysbiosis have highlighted the potential causative role of the microbiome in the initiation of pathology of PD. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium carried by 30-70% of the general population. It has been shown to produce functional amyloids, called phenol soluble modulins (PSMαs). Here, we studied the kinetics of α-syn aggregation under quiescent conditions in the presence or absence of four different PSMα peptides and observed a remarkable shortening of the lag phase in their presence. Whereas pure α-syn monomer did not aggregate up to 450 h after initiation of the experiment in neither neutral nor mildly acidic buffer, the addition of different PSMα peptides resulted in an almost immediate increase in the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. Despite similar peptide sequences, the different PSMα peptides displayed distinct effects on the kinetics of α-syn aggregation. Kinetic analyses of the data suggest that all four peptides catalyze α-syn aggregation through heterogeneous primary nucleation. The immunogold electron microscopic analyses showed that the aggregates were fibrillar and composed of α-syn. In addition of the co-aggregated materials to a cell model expressing the A53T α-syn variant fused to GFP was found to catalyze α-syn aggregation and phosphorylation in the cells. Our results provide evidence of a potential trigger of synucleinopathies and could have implications for the prevention of the diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Haikal
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (C.H.); (A.S.)
| | - Lei Ortigosa-Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden; (L.O.-P.); (K.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (Z.N.); (D.E.O.)
| | - Katja Bernfur
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden; (L.O.-P.); (K.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Alexander Svanbergsson
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (C.H.); (A.S.)
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (Z.N.); (D.E.O.)
| | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden; (L.O.-P.); (K.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Jia-Yi Li
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (C.H.); (A.S.)
- Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang 110112, China
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31
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Otzen DE, Pedersen JN, Somavarapu AK, Clement A, Ji M, Petersen EH, Pedersen JS, Urban S, Schafer NP. Cys-labeling kinetics of membrane protein GlpG: a role for specific SDS binding and micelle changes? Biophys J 2021; 120:4115-4128. [PMID: 34370995 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Empirically, α-helical membrane protein folding stability in surfactant micelles can be tuned by varying the mole fraction MFSDS of anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) relative to nonionic (e.g., dodecyl maltoside (DDM)) surfactant, but we lack a satisfying physical explanation of this phenomenon. Cysteine labeling (CL) has thus far only been used to study the topology of membrane proteins, not their stability or folding behavior. Here, we use CL to investigate membrane protein folding in mixed DDM-SDS micelles. Labeling kinetics of the intramembrane protease GlpG are consistent with simple two-state unfolding-and-exchange rates for seven single-Cys GlpG variants over most of the explored MFSDS range, along with exchange from the native state at low MFSDS (which inconveniently precludes measurement of unfolding kinetics under native conditions). However, for two mutants, labeling rates decline with MFSDS at 0-0.2 MFSDS (i.e., native conditions). Thus, an increase in MFSDS seems to be a protective factor for these two positions, but not for the five others. We propose different scenarios to explain this and find the most plausible ones to involve preferential binding of SDS monomers to the site of CL (based on computational simulations) along with changes in size and shape of the mixed micelle with changing MFSDS (based on SAXS studies). These nonlinear impacts on protein stability highlights a multifaceted role for SDS in membrane protein denaturation, involving both direct interactions of monomeric SDS and changes in micelle size and shape along with the general effects on protein stability of changes in micelle composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Arun Kumar Somavarapu
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anders Clement
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ming Ji
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Emil Hartvig Petersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sinisa Urban
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicholas P Schafer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus C, Denmark
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32
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Najarzadeh Z, Zaman M, Sereikaite V, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Otzen DE. Heparin promotes fibrillation of most phenol-soluble modulin virulence peptides from Staphylococcus aureus. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100953. [PMID: 34270957 PMCID: PMC8363829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), such as α-PSMs, β-PSMs, and δ-toxin, are virulence peptides secreted by different Staphylococcus aureus strains. PSMs are able to form amyloid fibrils, which may strengthen the biofilm matrix that promotes bacterial colonization of and extended growth on surfaces (e.g., cell tissue) and increases antibiotic resistance. Many components contribute to biofilm formation, including the human-produced highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan heparin. Although heparin promotes S. aureus infection, the molecular basis for this is unclear. Given that heparin is known to induce fibrillation of a wide range of proteins, we hypothesized that heparin aids bacterial colonization by promoting PSM fibrillation. Here, we address this hypothesis using a combination of thioflavin T-fluorescence kinetic studies, CD, FTIR, electron microscopy, and peptide microarrays to investigate the mechanism of aggregation, the structure of the fibrils, and identify possible binding regions. We found that heparin accelerates fibrillation of all α-PSMs (except PSMα2) and δ-toxin but inhibits β-PSM fibrillation by blocking nucleation or reducing fibrillation levels. Given that S. aureus secretes higher levels of α-PSM than β-PSM peptides, heparin is therefore likely to promote fibrillation overall. Heparin binding is driven by multiple positively charged lysine residues in α-PSMs and δ-toxins, the removal of which strongly reduced binding affinity. Binding of heparin did not affect the structure of the resulting fibrils, that is, the outcome of the aggregation process. Rather, heparin provided a scaffold to catalyze or inhibit fibrillation. Based on our findings, we speculate that heparin may strengthen the bacterial biofilm and therefore enhance colonization via increased PSM fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Masihuz Zaman
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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33
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Ferreira N, Gram H, Sorrentino ZA, Gregersen E, Schmidt SI, Reimer L, Betzer C, Perez-Gozalbo C, Beltoja M, Nagaraj M, Wang J, Nowak JS, Dong M, Willén K, Cholak E, Bjerregaard-Andersen K, Mendez N, Rabadia P, Shahnawaz M, Soto C, Otzen DE, Akbey Ü, Meyer M, Giasson BI, Romero-Ramos M, Jensen PH. Multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α stimulates formation of novel α-synuclein strain with enhanced neurodegenerative potential. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:87-115. [PMID: 33978813 PMCID: PMC8217051 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02316-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pathology consisting of intracellular aggregates of alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) spread through the nervous system in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. The discovery of structurally distinct α-Syn polymorphs, so-called strains, supports a hypothesis where strain-specific structures are templated into aggregates formed by native α-Syn. These distinct strains are hypothesised to dictate the spreading of pathology in the tissue and the cellular impact of the aggregates, thereby contributing to the variety of clinical phenotypes. Here, we present evidence of a novel α-Syn strain induced by the multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α. Using an array of biophysical, biochemical, cellular, and in vivo analyses, we demonstrate that compared to α-Syn alone, a substoichiometric concentration of p25α redirects α-Syn aggregation into a unique α-Syn/p25α strain with a different structure and enhanced in vivo prodegenerative properties. The α-Syn/p25α strain induced larger inclusions in human dopaminergic neurons. In vivo, intramuscular injection of preformed fibrils (PFF) of the α-Syn/p25α strain compared to α-Syn PFF resulted in a shortened life span and a distinct anatomical distribution of inclusion pathology in the brain of a human A53T transgenic (line M83) mouse. Investigation of α-Syn aggregates in brain stem extracts of end-stage mice demonstrated that the more aggressive phenotype of the α-Syn/p25α strain was associated with an increased load of α-Syn aggregates based on a Förster resonance energy transfer immunoassay and a reduced α-Syn aggregate seeding activity based on a protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay. When injected unilaterally into the striata of wild-type mice, the α-Syn/p25α strain resulted in a more-pronounced motoric phenotype than α-Syn PFF and exhibited a "tropism" for nigro-striatal neurons compared to α-Syn PFF. Overall, our data support a hypothesis whereby oligodendroglial p25α is responsible for generating a highly prodegenerative α-Syn strain in multiple system atrophy.
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34
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Christensen LFB, Alijanvand SH, Burdukiewicz M, Herbst FA, Kjeldal H, Dueholm MS, Otzen DE. Identification of amyloidogenic proteins in the microbiomes of a rat Parkinson's disease model and wild-type rats. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1854-1870. [PMID: 34075639 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cross seeding between amyloidogenic proteins in the gut is receiving increasing attention as a possible mechanism for initiation or acceleration of amyloid formation by aggregation-prone proteins such as αSN, which is central in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). This is particularly pertinent in view of the growing number of functional (i.e., benign and useful) amyloid proteins discovered in bacteria. Here we identify two amyloidogenic proteins, Pr12 and Pr17, in fecal matter from PD transgenic rats and their wild type counterparts, based on their stability against dissolution by formic acid (FA). Both proteins show robust aggregation into ThT-positive aggregates that contain higher-order β-sheets and have a fibrillar morphology, indicative of amyloid proteins. In addition, Pr17 aggregates formed in vitro showed significant resistance against FA, suggesting an ability to form highly stable amyloid. Treatment with proteinase K revealed a protected core of approx. 9 kDa. Neither Pr12 nor Pr17, however, affected αSN aggregation in vitro. Thus, amyloidogenicity does not per se lead to an ability to cross-seed fibrillation of αSN. Our results support the use of proteomics and FA to identify amyloidogenic protein in complex mixtures and suggests that there may be numerous functional amyloid proteins in microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Friis Bakmann Christensen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Saeid Hadi Alijanvand
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), Department of Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,Centre for Clinical Research, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Florian-Alexander Herbst
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Henrik Kjeldal
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Morten Simonsen Dueholm
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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35
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Milanetti E, Miotto M, Di Rienzo L, Nagaraj M, Monti M, Golbek TW, Gosti G, Roeters SJ, Weidner T, Otzen DE, Ruocco G. In-Silico Evidence for a Two Receptor Based Strategy of SARS-CoV-2. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:690655. [PMID: 34179095 PMCID: PMC8219949 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.690655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose a computational investigation on the interaction mechanisms between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and possible human cell receptors. In particular, we make use of our newly developed numerical method able to determine efficiently and effectively the relationship of complementarity between portions of protein surfaces. This innovative and general procedure, based on the representation of the molecular isoelectronic density surface in terms of 2D Zernike polynomials, allows the rapid and quantitative assessment of the geometrical shape complementarity between interacting proteins, which was unfeasible with previous methods. Our results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 uses a dual strategy: in addition to the known interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the viral spike protein can also interact with sialic-acid receptors of the cells in the upper airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Milanetti
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Miotto
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Rienzo
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy
| | - Madhu Nagaraj
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michele Monti
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- RNA System Biology Lab, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Gosti
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome, Italy
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36
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Walther R, Monge P, Pedersen AB, Benderoth A, Pedersen JN, Farzadfard A, Mandrup OA, Howard KA, Otzen DE, Zelikin AN. Per-glycosylation of the Surface-Accessible Lysines: One-Pot Aqueous Route to Stabilized Proteins with Native Activity. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2478-2485. [PMID: 33998129 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemical glycosylation of proteins is a powerful tool applied widely in biomedicine and biotechnology. However, it is a challenging undertaking and typically relies on recombinant proteins and site-specific conjugations. The scope and utility of this nature-inspired methodology would be broadened tremendously by the advent of facile, scalable techniques in glycosylation, which are currently missing. In this work, we investigated a one-pot aqueous protocol to achieve indiscriminate, surface-wide glycosylation of the surface accessible amines (lysines and/or N-terminus). We reveal that this approach afforded minimal if any change in the protein activity and recognition events in biochemical and cell culture assays, but at the same time provided a significant benefit of stabilizing proteins against aggregation and fibrillation - as demonstrated on serum proteins (albumins and immunoglobulin G, IgG), an enzyme (uricase), and proteins involved in neurodegenerative disease (α-synuclein) and diabetes (insulin). Most importantly, this highly advantageous result was achieved via a one-pot aqueous protocol performed on native proteins, bypassing the use of complex chemical methodologies and recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoul Walther
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Pere Monge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | | | - Anja Benderoth
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | | | - Azad Farzadfard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Ole A Mandrup
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Kenneth A Howard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Alexander N Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark.,Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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37
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Otzen DE, Dueholm MS, Najarzadeh Z, Knowles TPJ, Ruggeri FS. In situ Sub-Cellular Identification of Functional Amyloids in Bacteria and Archaea by Infrared Nanospectroscopy. Small Methods 2021; 5:e2001002. [PMID: 34927901 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Formation of amyloid structures is originally linked to human disease. However, amyloid materials are found extensively in the animal and bacterial world where they stabilize intra- and extra-cellular environments like biofilms or cell envelopes. To date, functional amyloids have largely been studied using optical microscopy techniques in vivo, or after removal from their biological context for higher-resolution studies in vitro. Furthermore, conventional microscopies only indirectly identify amyloids based on morphology or unspecific amyloid dyes. Here, the high chemical and spatial (≈20 nm) resolution of Infrared Nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to investigate functional amyloid from Escherichia coli (curli), Pseudomonas (Fap), and the Archaea Methanosaeta (MspA) in situ is exploited. It is demonstrated that AFM-IR identifies amyloid protein within single intact cells through their cross β-sheet secondary structure, which has a unique spectroscopic signature in the amide I band of protein. Using this approach, nanoscale-resolved chemical images and spectra of purified curli and Methanosaeta cell wall sheaths are provided. The results highlight significant differences in secondary structure between E. coli cells with and without curli. Taken together, these results suggest that AFM-IR is a new and powerful label-free tool for in situ investigations of the biophysical state of functional amyloid and biomolecules in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Morten S Dueholm
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, Aalborg, 9220, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB30HE, UK
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, WE 6703, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, WE 6703, the Netherlands
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38
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Abstract
Light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a fatal disorder wherein the immunoglobulin light chain misfolds and aggregates, leading to amyloid plaques in various organs. Patient-specific mutations in the light chain variable domain (VL) are tightly linked to amyloidosis, but how these mutations drive AL is unknown. In recent work, Rottenaicher et al. analyze five mutations found in the VL of a patient with cardiac AL. Their data suggest that decreased VL stability and increased flexibility in the core of the VL, caused by mutations outside of this core, could be key to aggregation and highlight the delicate balancing act required for antibody maturation to enable antigen recognition while not altering protein biophysics.
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39
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Andersen CB, Yoshimura Y, Nielsen J, Otzen DE, Mulder FAA. How epigallocatechin gallate binds and assembles oligomeric forms of human alpha-synuclein. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100788. [PMID: 34019875 PMCID: PMC8191297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered human protein α-synuclein (αSN) can self-associate into oligomers and amyloid fibrils. Several lines of evidence suggest that oligomeric αSN is cytotoxic, making it important to devise strategies to either prevent oligomer formation and/or inhibit the ensuing toxicity. (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has emerged as a molecular modulator of αSN self-assembly, as it reduces the flexibility of the C-terminal region of αSN in the oligomer and inhibits the oligomer's ability to perturb phospholipid membranes and induce cell death. However, a detailed structural and kinetic characterization of this interaction is still lacking. Here, we use liquid-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate how EGCG interacts with monomeric and oligomeric forms of αSN. We find that EGCG can bind to all parts of monomeric αSN but exhibits highest affinity for the N-terminal region. Monomeric αSN binds ∼54 molecules of EGCG in total during oligomerization. Furthermore, kinetic data suggest that EGCG dimerization is coupled with the αSN association reaction. In contrast, preformed oligomers only bind ∼7 EGCG molecules per protomer, in agreement with the more compact nature of the oligomer compared with the natively unfolded monomer. In previously conducted cell assays, as little as 0.36 EGCG per αSN reduce oligomer toxicity by 50%. Our study thus demonstrates that αSN cytotoxicity can be inhibited by small molecules at concentrations at least an order of magnitude below full binding capacity. We speculate this is due to cooperative binding of protein-stabilized EGCG dimers, which in turn implies synergy between protein association and EGCG dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla B Andersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yuichi Yoshimura
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Frans A A Mulder
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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40
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Otzen DE, Buell AK, Jensen H. Microfluidics and the quantification of biomolecular interactions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 70:8-15. [PMID: 33831785 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems under laminar flow conditions provide in-solution information about species size and binding affinities at very modest sample costs. Flow-induced dispersion analysis directly measures the spread of the analyte profile using Taylor dispersion analysis, whereas microfluidic diffusional sizing quantifies the transfer of analyte from one phase to another. Species of sizes between 0.5 and 1000 nm can be analyzed, and different populations resolved. Both techniques also allow analysis in complex media and medium throughput analysis. These properties make them valuable complements to existing approaches to measure biomolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK - 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads, DK - 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Henrik Jensen
- Fida Biosystems Aps, Fruebjergvej 3, DK - 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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41
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Otzen DE, Morshedi D, Mohammad-Beigi H, Aliakbari F. A Triple Role for a Bilayer: Using Nanoliposomes to Cross and Protect Cellular Membranes. J Membr Biol 2021; 254:29-39. [PMID: 33427941 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Thanks in large part to the seminal work of Steve White and his colleagues, we appreciate the "ordered complexity" of the lipid bilayer and how it impacts the incorporation of integral membrane proteins as well as more peripherally associated proteins. Steve's work also provides a vital foundation to tackle another challenge: cytotoxic oligomeric complexes which accumulate in various neurodegenerative diseases. These oligomers have a relatively fluid structure and interact with many different proteins in the cell, but their main target is thought to be the phospholipid membrane, either the plasma membrane or internal organelles such as the mitochondria. This fascinating encounter between two essentially fluid phases generates a more disordered membrane, and presumably promotes uncontrolled transport of small metal ions across the membrane barrier. Happily, this unwanted interaction may be suppressed by mobilizing the phospholipid bilayer into its own defense. Extruded nanolipoparticles (NLPs) consisting of DPPC lipids, cholesterol and PEG2000 are excellent vehicles to take up small "oligomer-bashing" hydrophobic molecules such as baicalein and transport them with increased half-life in the plasma and with markedly more efficient crossing of the blood-brain barrier. Thus the bilayer has a triple role in this account: a safe space for a reactive hydrophobic small molecule, a barrier to cross to deliver a drug payload and a target to protect against oligomer attacks. NLPs containing small hydrophobic molecules show great promise in combating neurodegenerative diseases in animal models and may serve as an example of the White approach: applying robust physical-chemical principles to deal with biological problems involving phospholipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Farhang Aliakbari
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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42
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Martins PM, Navarro S, Silva A, Pinto MF, Sárkány Z, Figueiredo F, Pereira PJB, Pinheiro F, Bednarikova Z, Burdukiewicz M, Galzitskaya OV, Gazova Z, Gomes CM, Pastore A, Serpell LC, Skrabana R, Smirnovas V, Ziaunys M, Otzen DE, Ventura S, Macedo-Ribeiro S. MIRRAGGE - Minimum Information Required for Reproducible AGGregation Experiments. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:582488. [PMID: 33328883 PMCID: PMC7729192 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.582488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reports on phase separation and amyloid formation for multiple proteins and aggregation-prone peptides are recurrently used to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with several human diseases. The information conveyed by these reports can be used directly in translational investigation, e.g., for the design of better drug screening strategies, or be compiled in databases for benchmarking novel aggregation-predicting algorithms. Given that minute protocol variations determine different outcomes of protein aggregation assays, there is a strong urge for standardized descriptions of the different types of aggregates and the detailed methods used in their production. In an attempt to address this need, we assembled the Minimum Information Required for Reproducible Aggregation Experiments (MIRRAGGE) guidelines, considering first-principles and the established literature on protein self-assembly and aggregation. This consensus information aims to cover the major and subtle determinants of experimental reproducibility while avoiding excessive technical details that are of limited practical interest for non-specialized users. The MIRRAGGE table (template available in Supplementary Information) is useful as a guide for the design of new studies and as a checklist during submission of experimental reports for publication. Full disclosure of relevant information also enables other researchers to reproduce results correctly and facilitates systematic data deposition into curated databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Martins
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susanna Navarro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina - Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alexandra Silva
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria F Pinto
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Zsuzsa Sárkány
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Figueiredo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory - Department of Atomic Structure - Composition of Materials, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro José Barbosa Pereira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca Pinheiro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina - Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Zuzana Bednarikova
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Oxana V Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia.,Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Zuzana Gazova
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Cláudio M Gomes
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- UK-DRI Centre at King's College London, the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Rostislav Skrabana
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mantas Ziaunys
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina - Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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43
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Larsen K, Bæk R, Sahin C, Kjær L, Christiansen G, Nielsen J, Farajzadeh L, Otzen DE. Molecular characteristics of porcine alpha-synuclein splicing variants. Biochimie 2020; 180:121-133. [PMID: 33152422 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a 140 amino acid, intrinsically disordered protein with a potential role in neurotransmitter vesicle release. The protein is natively unfolded under physiological conditions, and is expressed predominantly in neural tissue. α-syn is associated with neuropathological conditions in Parkinson's disease, where the protein misfolds into oligomers and fibrils resulting in aggregates in Lewy bodies. Here we report the molecular cloning of SNCA cDNA encoding porcine α-syn and transcript variants hereof. Six transcripts coding for porcine α-syn are presented in the report, of which three result from exon skipping, generating in-frame splicing of coding exons 3 and 5. The splicing pattern of these alternative spliced variants is conserved between human and pig. All the observed in-frame deletions yield significantly shorter α-syn proteins compared with the 140 amino acid full-length protein. Expression analysis performed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed a differential expression of the six transcript splicing variants in different pig organs and tissues. Common for all splicing variants, a very high transcript expression was detected in brain tissues and in spinal cord and very low or no expression outside the central nervous system. The porcine α-syn protein demonstrated markedly different biophysical characteristics compared with its human counterpart. No fibrillation of porcine α-syn was observed with the pig wild-type α-syn and A30P α-syn, and both variants show significantly reduced ability to bind to lipid vesicles. Overexpression of mutated porcine α-syn might recapitulate the human PD pathogenesis and lead to the identification of genetic modifiers of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knud Larsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Rikke Bæk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Urbansgade 32, DK-9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Lars Kjær
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Leila Farajzadeh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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44
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Eskandari H, Ghanadian M, Noleto-Dias C, Lomax C, Tawfike A, Christiansen G, Sutherland DS, Ward JL, Mohammad-Beigi H, Otzen DE. Inhibitors of α-Synuclein Fibrillation and Oligomer Toxicity in Rosa damascena: The All-Pervading Powers of Flavonoids and Phenolic Glycosides. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3161-3173. [PMID: 32886481 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an intense search for natural compounds that can inhibit the oligomerization and fibrillation of α-synuclein (α-Syn), whose aggregation is key to the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rosa damascena is a medicinal herb widely used in Middle Eastern food, ceremonies, and perfumes. The herb is known to contain many different polyphenols. Here we investigated the existence of α-Syn fibrillation inhibitors in R. damascena extract. Different HPLC fractions of the extract were assessed in α-Syn fibrillation and toxicity assays. The most active fractions led to the formation of more α-Syn oligomers but with less toxicity to SH-SY5Y cells, according to MTT and LDH assays. LC-MS analysis identified gallic acid, kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside, and quercetin which were subsequently shown to be strong α-Syn fibrillation inhibitors. Our results highlight the benefits of R. damascena extract to combat PD at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Eskandari
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK− 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mustafa Ghanadian
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Isfahan Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Clarice Noleto-Dias
- Computational and Analytical Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Charlotte Lomax
- Computational and Analytical Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Ahmed Tawfike
- Computational and Analytical Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Biomedicine-Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Duncan S. Sutherland
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK− 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jane L. Ward
- Computational and Analytical Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK− 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK− 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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45
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Javed I, Zhang Z, Adamcik J, Andrikopoulos N, Li Y, Otzen DE, Lin S, Mezzenga R, Davis TP, Ding F, Ke PC. Accelerated Amyloid Beta Pathogenesis by Bacterial Amyloid FapC. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2020; 7:2001299. [PMID: 32999841 PMCID: PMC7509637 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The gut-brain axis has attracted increasing attention in recent years, fueled by accumulating symptomatic, physiological, and pathological findings. In this study, the aggregation and toxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), the pathogenic peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), seeded by FapC amyloid fragments (FapCS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that colonizes the gut microbiome through infections are examined. FapCS display favorable binding with Aβ and a catalytic capacity in seeding the peptide amyloidosis. Upon seeding, twisted Aβ fibrils assume a much-shortened periodicity approximating that of FapC fibrils, accompanied by a 37% sharp rise in the fibrillar diameter, compared with the control. The robust seeding capacity for Aβ by FapCS and the biofilm fragments derived from P. aeruginosa entail abnormal behavior pathology and immunohistology, as well as impaired cognitive function of zebrafish. Together, the data offer the first concrete evidence of structural integration and inheritance in peptide cross-seeding, a crucial knowledge gap in understanding the pathological correlations between different amyloid diseases. The catalytic role of infectious bacteria in promoting Aβ amyloidosis may be exploited as a potential therapeutic target, while the altered mesoscopic signatures of Aβ fibrils may serve as a prototype for molecular assembly and a biomarker for screening bacterial infections in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Javed
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLD4072Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Department of Physics and AstronomyClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USA
| | - Jozef Adamcik
- Food & Soft MaterialsDepartment of Health Science & TechnologyETH ZurichSchmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO, E23Zurich8092Switzerland
| | - Nicholas Andrikopoulos
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
| | - Yuhuan Li
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)University of AarhusAarhus CAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Sijie Lin
- College of Environmental Science and EngineeringBiomedical Multidisciplinary Innovation Research InstituteShanghai East HospitalShanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological SecurityTongji University1239 Siping RoadShanghai200092China
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Food & Soft MaterialsDepartment of Health Science & TechnologyETH ZurichSchmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO, E23Zurich8092Switzerland
| | - Thomas P. Davis
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLD4072Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and AstronomyClemson UniversityClemsonSC29634USA
| | - Pu Chun Ke
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
- Zhongshan HospitalFudan University111 Yixueyuan Rd, Xuhui DistrictShanghai200032China
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46
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Krainer G, Hartmann A, Bogatyr V, Nielsen J, Schlierf M, Otzen DE. SDS-induced multi-stage unfolding of a small globular protein through different denatured states revealed by single-molecule fluorescence. Chem Sci 2020; 11:9141-9153. [PMID: 34123163 PMCID: PMC8163379 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc02100h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) unfold proteins in a much more diverse yet effective way than chemical denaturants such as guanidium chloride (GdmCl). But how these unfolding processes compare on a molecular level is poorly understood. Here, we address this question by scrutinising the unfolding pathway of the globular protein S6 in SDS and GdmCl with single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) spectroscopy. We show that the unfolding mechanism in SDS is strikingly different and convoluted in comparison to denaturation in GdmCl. In contrast to the reversible two-state unfolding behaviour in GdmCl characterised by kinetics on the timescale of seconds, SDS demonstrated not one, but four distinct regimes of interactions with S6, dependent on the surfactant concentration. At ≤1 mM SDS, S6 and surfactant molecules form quasi-micelles on a minute timescale; at millimolar [SDS], the protein denatures through an unfolded/denatured ensemble of highly heterogeneous states on a multi-second timescale; at tens of millimolar of SDS, the protein unfolds into a micelle-packed conformation on the second timescale; and >50 mM SDS, the protein unfolds with millisecond timescale dynamics. We propose a detailed model for multi-stage unfolding of S6 in SDS, which involves at least three different types of denatured states with different level of compactness and dynamics and a continually changing landscape of interactions between protein and surfactant. Our results highlight the great potential of single-molecule fluorescence as a direct probe of nanoscale protein structure and dynamics in chemically complex surfactant environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Krainer
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden Tatzberg 41 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Andreas Hartmann
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden Tatzberg 41 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Vadim Bogatyr
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden Tatzberg 41 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus Denmark
| | - Michael Schlierf
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden Tatzberg 41 01307 Dresden Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden 01062 Dresden Germany
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus Denmark
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47
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Marvian AT, Aliakbari F, Mohammad-Beigi H, Ahmadi ZA, Mehrpooyan S, Lermyte F, Nasouti M, Collingwood JF, Otzen DE, Morshedi D. The status of the terminal regions of α-synuclein in different forms of aggregates during fibrillization. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 155:543-550. [PMID: 32240735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The α-synuclein (αSN) amyloid fibrillization process is known to be a crucial phenomenon associated with neuronal loss in various neurodegenerative diseases, most famously Parkinson's disease. The process involves different aggregated species and ultimately leads to formation of β-sheet rich fibrillar structures. Despite the essential role of αSN aggregation in the pathoetiology of various neurological disorders, the characteristics of various assemblies are not fully understood. Here, we established a fluorescence-based model for studying the end-parts of αSN to decipher the structural aspects of aggregates during the fibrillization. Our model proved highly sensitive to the events at the early stage of the fibrillization process, which are hardly detectable with routine techniques. Combining fluorescent and PAGE analysis, we found different oligomeric aggregates in the nucleation phase of fibrillization with different sensitivity to SDS and different structures based on αSN termini. Moreover, we found that these oligomers are highly dynamic: after reaching peak levels during fibrillization, they decline and eventually disappear, suggesting their transformation into other αSN aggregated species. These findings shed light on the structural features of various αSN aggregates and their dynamics in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tayaranian Marvian
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Farhang Aliakbari
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zeinab Alsadat Ahmadi
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Mehrpooyan
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mahour Nasouti
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Bioprocess Engineering Department, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
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48
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Jensen GV, Pedersen JN, Otzen DE, Pedersen JS. Multi-Step Unfolding and Rearrangement of α-Lactalbumin by SDS Revealed by Stopped-Flow SAXS. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:125. [PMID: 32754613 PMCID: PMC7366515 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between proteins and surfactants are both of fundamental interest and relevant for applications in food, cosmetics and detergency. The anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denatures essentially all proteins. Denaturation typically involves a number of distinct steps where growing numbers of SDS molecules bind to the protein, as seen in multidisciplinary approaches combining several complementary techniques. We adopt this approach to study the SDS-induced unfolding of Ca2+-depleted α-lactalbumin (aLA), a protein particularly sensitive toward denaturation by surfactants. By combining stopped-flow mixing of protein and surfactant solutions with stopped-flow synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), circular dichroism (CD) and Trp fluorescence, together with information from previous calorimetric studies, we construct a detailed picture of the unfolding process at the level of both protein and surfactant. A protein-surfactant complex is formed within the dead time of mixing (2.5 ms). Initially a cluster of SDS molecules binds asymmetrically, i.e., to one side of the protein, after which aLA redistributes around the SDS cluster. This occurs in two kinetic steps where the complex grows in number of both SDS and protein molecules, concomitant with protein unfolding. During these steps, the core-shell complex undergoes changes in shell thickness as well as core shape and radius. The entire process is very sensitive to SDS concentration and completes within 10 s at an SDS:aLA ratio of 9, decreasing to 0.2 s at 60 SDS:aLA. The number of aLA molecules per SDS complex drops from 1.9 to 1.0 over this range of ratios. While both CD and Trp kinetics reveal a fast and a slow conformational transition, only the slow transition is observed by SAXS, indicating that the protein-SDS complex (which is monitored by SAXS) adjusts to the presence of the unfolded protein. We attribute the rapid unfolding of aLA to its predominantly α-helical structure, which persists in SDS (albeit as isolated helices), enabling aLA to unfold without undergoing major secondary structural changes unlike β-sheet rich proteins. Nevertheless, the overall unfolding steps are broadly similar to those of the more β-rich protein β-lactoglobulin, suggesting that this unfolding model is representative of the general process of SDS-unfolding of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grethe Vestergaard Jensen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Materials Division, Danish Technological Institute, Taastrup, Denmark
| | | | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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49
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Nielsen NS, Poulsen ET, Lukassen MV, Chao Shern C, Mogensen EH, Weberskov CE, DeDionisio L, Schauser L, Moore TC, Otzen DE, Hjortdal J, Enghild JJ. Biochemical mechanisms of aggregation in TGFBI-linked corneal dystrophies. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 77:100843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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50
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Jakob DS, Wang H, Zeng G, Otzen DE, Yan Y, Xu XG. Peak Force Infrared-Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:16083-16090. [PMID: 32463936 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Correlative scanning probe microscopy of chemical identity, surface potential, and mechanical properties provide insight into the structure-function relationships of nanomaterials. However, simultaneous measurement with comparable and high resolution is a challenge. We seamlessly integrated nanoscale photothermal infrared imaging with Coulomb force detection to form peak force infrared-Kelvin probe force microscopy (PFIR-KPFM), which enables simultaneous nanomapping of infrared absorption, surface potential, and mechanical properties with approximately 10 nm spatial resolution in a single-pass scan. MAPbBr3 perovskite crystals of different degradation pathways were studied in situ. Nanoscale charge accumulations were observed in MAPbBr3 near the boundary to PbBr2 . PFIR-KPFM also revealed correlations between residual charges and secondary conformation in amyloid fibrils. PFIR-KPFM is applicable to other heterogeneous materials at the nanoscale for correlative multimodal characterizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon S Jakob
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, 6 E Packer Ave., Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA
| | - Haomin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, 6 E Packer Ave., Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA
| | - Guanghong Zeng
- DFM A/S, Danish National Metrology Institute, Kogle Alle 5, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wields Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yong Yan
- Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Xiaoji G Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, 6 E Packer Ave., Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA
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