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Zhang X, Wang J, Zhang Z, Ye K. Tau in neurodegenerative diseases: molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:40. [PMID: 39107835 PMCID: PMC11302116 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The deposition of abnormal tau protein is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a class of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. Physiologically, tau maintains an intrinsically disordered structure and plays diverse roles in neurons. Pathologically, tau undergoes abnormal post-translational modifications and forms oligomers or fibrous aggregates in tauopathies. In this review, we briefly introduce several tauopathies and discuss the mechanisms mediating tau aggregation and propagation. We also describe the toxicity of tau pathology. Finally, we explore the early diagnostic biomarkers and treatments targeting tau. Although some encouraging results have been achieved in animal experiments and preclinical studies, there is still no cure for tauopathies. More in-depth basic and clinical research on the pathogenesis of tauopathies is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiangyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430000, China.
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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2
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Cassel de Camps C, Rostami S, Xu V, Li C, Lépine P, Durcan TM, Moraes C. Microfabricated dynamic brain organoid cocultures to assess the effects of surface geometry on assembloid formation. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400070. [PMID: 39167558 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Organoids have emerged as valuable tools for the study of development and disease. Assembloids are formed by integrating multiple organoid types to create more complex models. However, the process by which organoids integrate to form assembloids remains unclear and may play an important role in the resulting organoid structure. Here, a microfluidic platform is developed that allows separate culture of distinct organoid types and provides the capacity to partially control the geometry of the resulting organoid surfaces. Removal of a microfabricated barrier then allows the shaped and positioned organoids to interact and form an assembloid. When midbrain and unguided brain organoids were allowed to assemble with a defined spacing between them, axonal projections from midbrain organoids and cell migration out of unguided organoids were observed and quantitatively measured as the two types of organoids fused together. Axonal projection directions were statistically biased toward other midbrain organoids, and unguided organoid surface geometry was found to affect cell invasion. This platform provides a tool to observe cellular interactions between organoid surfaces that are spaced apart in a controlled manner, and may ultimately have value in exploring neuronal migration, axon targeting, and assembloid formation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabra Rostami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Paula Lépine
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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3
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Lester E, Parker R. Tau, RNA, and RNA-Binding Proteins: Complex Interactions in Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neuroscientist 2024; 30:458-472. [PMID: 36892034 DOI: 10.1177/10738584231154551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The tau protein is a key contributor to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. The pathology of tau is thought to be related to tau's propensity to form self-templating fibrillar structures that allow tau fibers to propagate in the brain by prion-like mechanisms. Unresolved issues with respect to tau pathology are how the normal function of tau and its misregulation contribute to disease, how cofactors and cellular organelles influence the initiation and propagation of tau fibers, and determining the mechanism of tau toxicity. Herein, we review the connection between tau and degenerative diseases, the basis for tau fibrilization, and how that process interacts with cellular molecules and organelles. One emerging theme is that tau interacts with RNA and RNA-binding proteins, normally and in pathologic aggregates, which may provide insight into alterations in RNA regulation observed in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Lester
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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4
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Islam M, Shen F, Regmi D, Petersen K, Karim MRU, Du D. Tau liquid-liquid phase separation: At the crossroads of tau physiology and tauopathy. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e30853. [PMID: 35980344 PMCID: PMC9938090 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal deposition of tau in neurons is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders. In the past decades, extensive efforts have been made to explore the mechanistic pathways underlying the development of tauopathies. Recently, the discovery of tau droplet formation by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has received a great deal of attention. It has been reported that tau condensates have a biological role in promoting and stabilizing microtubule (MT) assembly. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the transition of phase-separated tau droplets to a gel-like state and then to fibrils is associated with the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we outline LLPS, the structural disorder that facilitates tau droplet formation, the effects of posttranslational modification of tau on condensate formation, the physiological function of tau droplets, the pathways from droplet to toxic fibrils, and the therapeutic strategies for tauopathies that might evolve from toxic droplets. We expect a deeper understanding of tau LLPS will provide additional insights into tau physiology and tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majedul Islam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Fengyun Shen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Deepika Regmi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Katherine Petersen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Md Raza Ul Karim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
| | - Deguo Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States
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5
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Ellis MJ, Lekka C, Holden KL, Tulmin H, Seedat F, O'Brien DP, Dhayal S, Zeissler ML, Knudsen JG, Kessler BM, Morgan NG, Todd JA, Richardson SJ, Stefana MI. Identification of high-performing antibodies for the reliable detection of Tau proteoforms by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:87. [PMID: 38761203 PMCID: PMC11102361 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02729-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Antibodies are essential research tools whose performance directly impacts research conclusions and reproducibility. Owing to its central role in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, hundreds of distinct antibody clones have been developed against the microtubule-associated protein Tau and its multiple proteoforms. Despite this breadth of offer, limited understanding of their performance and poor antibody selectivity have hindered research progress. Here, we validate a large panel of Tau antibodies by Western blot (79 reagents) and immunohistochemistry (35 reagents). We address the reagents' ability to detect the target proteoform, selectivity, the impact of protein phosphorylation on antibody binding and performance in human brain samples. While most antibodies detected Tau at high levels, many failed to detect it at lower, endogenous levels. By WB, non-selective binding to other proteins affected over half of the antibodies tested, with several cross-reacting with the related MAP2 protein, whereas the "oligomeric Tau" T22 antibody reacted with monomeric Tau by WB, thus calling into question its specificity to Tau oligomers. Despite the presumption that "total" Tau antibodies are agnostic to post-translational modifications, we found that phosphorylation partially inhibits binding for many such antibodies, including the popular Tau-5 clone. We further combine high-sensitivity reagents, mass-spectrometry proteomics and cDNA sequencing to demonstrate that presumptive Tau "knockout" human cells continue to express residual protein arising through exon skipping, providing evidence of previously unappreciated gene plasticity. Finally, probing of human brain samples with a large panel of antibodies revealed the presence of C-term-truncated versions of all main Tau brain isoforms in both control and tauopathy donors. Ultimately, we identify a validated panel of Tau antibodies that can be employed in Western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry to reliably detect even low levels of Tau expression with high selectivity. This work represents an extensive resource that will enable the re-interpretation of published data, improve reproducibility in Tau research, and overall accelerate scientific progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Ellis
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Christiana Lekka
- Islet Biology Group, Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes (EXCEED), University of Exeter, RILD Building, Exeter, UK
| | - Katie L Holden
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Hanna Tulmin
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Faheem Seedat
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Level 3, Oxford, UK
| | - Darragh P O'Brien
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Shalinee Dhayal
- Islet Biology Group, Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes (EXCEED), University of Exeter, RILD Building, Exeter, UK
| | - Marie-Louise Zeissler
- Islet Biology Group, Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes (EXCEED), University of Exeter, RILD Building, Exeter, UK
| | - Jakob G Knudsen
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Radcliffe, UK
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benedikt M Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Noel G Morgan
- Islet Biology Group, Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes (EXCEED), University of Exeter, RILD Building, Exeter, UK
| | - John A Todd
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah J Richardson
- Islet Biology Group, Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes (EXCEED), University of Exeter, RILD Building, Exeter, UK
| | - M Irina Stefana
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
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Vicente M, Addo-Osafo K, Vossel K. Latest advances in mechanisms of epileptic activity in Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1277613. [PMID: 38390593 PMCID: PMC10882721 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1277613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) stand as the prevailing sources of neurodegenerative dementia, impacting over 55 million individuals across the globe. Patients with AD and DLB exhibit a higher prevalence of epileptic activity compared to those with other forms of dementia. Seizures can accompany AD and DLB in early stages, and the associated epileptic activity can contribute to cognitive symptoms and exacerbate cognitive decline. Aberrant neuronal activity in AD and DLB may be caused by several mechanisms that are not yet understood. Hyperexcitability could be a biomarker for early detection of AD or DLB before the onset of dementia. In this review, we compare and contrast mechanisms of network hyperexcitability in AD and DLB. We examine the contributions of genetic risk factors, Ca2+ dysregulation, glutamate, AMPA and NMDA receptors, mTOR, pathological amyloid beta, tau and α-synuclein, altered microglial and astrocytic activity, and impaired inhibitory interneuron function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause neuronal hyperexcitability, we might uncover therapeutic approaches to effectively ease symptoms and slow down the advancement of AD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Vicente
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kwaku Addo-Osafo
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith Vossel
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Kanaan NM. Tau here, tau there, tau almost everywhere: Clarifying the distribution of tau in the adult CNS. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:107-115. [PMID: 38102924 PMCID: PMC10851165 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau has gained significant attention over the last several decades primarily due to its apparent role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease. While the field has focused largely on tau's potential contributions to disease mechanisms, comparably less work has focused on normal tau physiology. Moreover, as the field has grown, some misconceptions and dogmas regarding normal tau physiology have become engrained in the traditional narrative. Here, one of the most common misconceptions regarding tau, namely its normal cellular/subcellular distribution in the CNS, is discussed. The literature describing the presence of tau in neuronal somata, dendrites, axons and synapses, as well as in glial cells is described. The origins for the erroneous description of tau as an "axon-specific," "axon-enriched" and/or "neuron-specific" protein are discussed as well. The goal of this work is to help address these specific dogmatic misconceptions and provide a concise description of tau's normal cellular/subcellular localization in the adult CNS. This information can help refine our collective understanding of- and hypotheses about tau biology and pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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8
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Vlegels N, Gonzalez-Ortiz F, Knuth NL, Khalifeh N, Gesierich B, Müller F, Müller P, Klein M, Dimitriadis K, Franzmeier N, Liebig T, Duering M, Reidler P, Dichgans M, Karikari TK, Blennow K, Tiedt S. Brain-derived Tau for Monitoring Brain Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.18.23298728. [PMID: 38014197 PMCID: PMC10680879 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.18.23298728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of infarcts varies widely among patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) and influences treatment decisions. Neuroimaging is not applicable for frequent monitoring and there is no blood-based biomarker to track ongoing brain injury in acute IS. Here, we examined the utility of plasma brain-derived tau (BD-tau) as a biomarker for brain injury in acute IS. We conducted the prospective, observational Precision Medicine in Stroke [PROMISE] study with serial blood sampling upon hospital admission and at days 2, 3, and 7 in patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) and for comparison, in patients with stroke mimics (SM). We determined the temporal course of plasma BD-tau, its relation to infarct size and admission imaging-based metrics of brain injury, and its value to predict functional outcome. Upon admission (median time-from-onset, 4.4h), BD-tau levels in IS patients correlated with ASPECTS (ρ=-0.21, P<.0001) and were predictive of final infarct volume (ρ=0.26, P<.0001). In contrast to SM patients, BD-tau levels in IS patients increased from admission (median, 2.9 pg/ml [IQR, 1.8-4.8]) to day 2 (median time-from-onset, 22.7h; median BD-tau, 5.0 pg/ml [IQR, 2.6-10.3]; P<.0001). The rate of change of BD-tau from admission to day 2 was significantly associated with collateral supply (R2=0.10, P<.0001) and infarct progression (ρ=0.58, P<.0001). At day 2, BD-tau was predictive of final infarct volume (ρ=0.59, P<.0001) and showed superior value for predicting the 90-day mRS score compared with final infarct volume. In conclusion, in 502 patients with acute IS, plasma BD-tau was associated with imaging-based metrics of brain injury upon admission, increased within the first 24 hours in correlation with infarct progression, and at 24 hours was superior to final infarct volume in predicting 90-day functional outcome. Further research is needed to determine whether BD-tau assessments can inform decision-making in stroke care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Vlegels
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Fernando Gonzalez-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicoló Luca Knuth
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Nada Khalifeh
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Benno Gesierich
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
- Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC) and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Müller
- Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Müller
- Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Klein
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | | | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Liebig
- Institute of Neuroradiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Duering
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
- Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC) and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Reidler
- Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich), Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK, Munich), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Steffen Tiedt
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
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Benskey MJ, Panoushek S, Saito T, Saido TC, Grabinski T, Kanaan NM. Behavioral and neuropathological characterization over the adult lifespan of the human tau knock-in mouse. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1265151. [PMID: 37842124 PMCID: PMC10576558 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1265151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein with a diverse functional repertoire linked to neurodegenerative disease. Recently, a human tau knock-in (MAPT KI) mouse was developed that may overcome many limitations associated with current animal models used to study tau. In MAPT KI mice, the entire murine Mapt gene was replaced with the human MAPT gene under control of the endogenous Mapt promoter. This model represents an ideal in vivo platform to study the function and dysfunction of human tau protein. Accordingly, a detailed understanding of the effects MAPT KI has on structure and function of the CNS is warranted. Here, we provide a detailed behavioral and neuropathological assessment of MAPT KI mice. We compared MAPT KI to wild-type (WT) C57BL/6j mice in behavioral assessments of anxiety, attention, working memory, spatial memory, and motor performance from 6 to 24 months (m) of age. Using immunohistological and biochemical assays, we quantified markers of glia (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), synaptic integrity, neuronal integrity and the cytoskeleton. Finally, we quantified levels of total tau, tau isoforms, tau phosphorylation, and tau conformations. MAPT KI mice show normal cognitive and locomotor behavior at all ages, and resilience to mild age-associated locomotor deficits observed in WT mice. Markers of neuronal and synaptic integrity are unchanged in MAPT KI mice with advancing age. Glial markers are largely unchanged in MAPT KI mice, but glial fibrillary acidic protein is increased in the hippocampus of WT and MAPT KI mice at 24 m. MAPT KI mice express all 6 human tau isoforms and levels of tau remain stable throughout adulthood. Hippocampal tau in MAPT KI and WT mice is phosphorylated at serine 396/404 (PHF1) and murine tau in WT animals displays more PHF1 phosphorylation at 6 and 12 m. Lastly, we extended previous reports showing that MAPT KI mice do not display overt pathology. No evidence of other tau phosphorylation residues (AT8, pS422) or abnormal conformations (TNT2 or TOC1) associated with pathogenic tau were detected. The lack of overt pathological changes in MAPT KI mice make this an ideal platform for future investigations into the function and dysfunction of tau protein in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Benskey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Spencer Panoushek
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, Riken Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, Riken Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Tessa Grabinski
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Gambardella JC, Schoephoerster W, Bondarenko V, Yandell BS, Emborg ME. Expression of tau and phosphorylated tau in the brain of normal and hemiparkinsonian rhesus macaques. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:1198-1216. [PMID: 37098996 PMCID: PMC10247506 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal protein involved in microtubule stabilization and intracellular vesicle transport in axons. In neurodegenerative disorders termed "tauopathies," like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and forms intracellular inclusions. Rhesus macaques are widely used for studying ageing processes and modeling neurodegenerative disorders, yet little is known about endogenous tau expression in their brains. In this study, immunohistochemical methods were used to map and characterize total tau, 3R- and 4R-tau isoforms, and phosphorylated tau (pThr231-tau and pSer202/Thr205-tau/AT8) expression bilaterally in 16 brain regions of normal and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced hemiparkinsonian adult rhesus macaques. Tau-immunoreactivity (-ir), including both 3R and 4R isoforms, was observed throughout the brain, with varying regional intensities. The anterior cingulate cortex, entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus displayed the most robust tau-ir, while the subthalamic nucleus and white matter regions had minimal expression. Tau was present in neurons of gray matter regions; it was preferentially observed in fibers of the globus pallidus and substantia nigra and in cell bodies of the thalamus and subthalamic nucleus. In white matter regions, tau was abundantly present in oligodendrocytes. Additionally, neuronal pThr231-tau-ir was abundant in all brain regions, but not AT8-ir. Differences in regional and intracellular protein expression were not detected between control subjects and both brain hemispheres of MPTP-treated animals. Specifically, tau-ir in the substantia nigra of all subjects colocalized with GABAergic neurons. Overall, this report provides an in-depth characterization of tau expression in the rhesus macaque brain to facilitate future investigations for understanding and modeling tau pathology in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C. Gambardella
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Wyatt Schoephoerster
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Viktoriya Bondarenko
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | | | - Marina E. Emborg
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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11
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Huntingtin and Other Neurodegeneration-Associated Proteins in the Development of Intracellular Pathologies: Potential Target Search for Therapeutic Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415533. [PMID: 36555175 PMCID: PMC9779313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable. Numerous experimental data accumulated over the past fifty years have brought us closer to understanding the molecular and cell mechanisms responsible for their development. However, these data are not enough for a complete understanding of the genesis of these diseases, nor to suggest treatment methods. It turns out that many cellular pathologies developing during neurodegeneration coincide from disease to disease. These observations give hope to finding a common intracellular target(s) and to offering a universal method of treatment. In this review, we attempt to analyze data on similar cellular disorders among neurodegenerative diseases in general, and polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases in particular, focusing on the interaction of various proteins involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases with various cellular organelles. The main purposes of this review are: (1) to outline the spectrum of common intracellular pathologies and to answer the question of whether it is possible to find potential universal target(s) for therapeutic intervention; (2) to identify specific intracellular pathologies and to speculate about a possible general approach for their treatment.
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12
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Mahakud AK, Shaikh J, Rifa Iqbal VV, Gupta A, Tiwari A, Saleem M. Amyloids on Membrane Interfaces: Implications for Neurodegeneration. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:705-722. [PMID: 35670831 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00245-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Membrane interfaces are vital for various cellular processes, and their involvement in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease has taken precedence in recent years. The amyloidogenic proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases interact with the neuronal membrane through various means, which has implications for both the onset and progression of the disease. The parameters that regulate the interaction between the membrane and the amyloids remain poorly understood. The review focuses on the various aspects of membrane interactions of amyloids, particularly amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and Tau involved in Alzheimer's and α-synuclein involved in Parkinson's disease. The genetic, cell biological, biochemical, and biophysical studies that form the basis for our current understanding of the membrane interactions of Aβ peptides, Tau, and α-synuclein are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaresh Kumar Mahakud
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Jafarulla Shaikh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - V V Rifa Iqbal
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Abhinav Gupta
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Anuj Tiwari
- Department of Life Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Mohammed Saleem
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India.
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13
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Zhu Y, Gandy L, Zhang F, Liu J, Wang C, Blair LJ, Linhardt RJ, Wang L. Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Tauopathy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1792. [PMID: 36551220 PMCID: PMC9776397 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and are characterized by intraneuronal tau inclusion in the brain and the patient's cognitive decline with obscure pathogenesis. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a major type of extracellular matrix, have been believed to involve in tauopathies. The heparan sulfate proteoglycans co-deposit with tau in Alzheimer's patient brain, directly bind to tau and modulate tau secretion, internalization, and aggregation. This review summarizes the current understanding of the functions and the modulated molecular pathways of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in tauopathies, as well as the implication of dysregulated heparan sulfate proteoglycan expression in tau pathology and the potential of targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycan-tau interaction as a novel therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lauren Gandy
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Laura J. Blair
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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14
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Asadzadeh J, Ruchti E, Jiao W, Limoni G, MacLachlan C, Small SA, Knott G, Santa-Maria I, McCabe BD. Retromer deficiency in Tauopathy models enhances the truncation and toxicity of Tau. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5049. [PMID: 36030267 PMCID: PMC9420134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alteration of the levels, localization or post-translational processing of the microtubule associated protein Tau is associated with many neurodegenerative disorders. Here we develop adult-onset models for human Tau (hTau) toxicity in Drosophila that enable age-dependent quantitative measurement of central nervous system synapse loss and axonal degeneration, in addition to effects upon lifespan, to facilitate evaluation of factors that may contribute to Tau-dependent neurodegeneration. Using these models, we interrogate the interaction of hTau with the retromer complex, an evolutionarily conserved cargo-sorting protein assembly, whose reduced activity has been associated with both Parkinson’s and late onset Alzheimer’s disease. We reveal that reduction of retromer activity induces a potent enhancement of hTau toxicity upon synapse loss, axon retraction and lifespan through a specific increase in the production of a C-terminal truncated isoform of hTau. Our data establish a molecular and subcellular mechanism necessary and sufficient for the depletion of retromer activity to exacerbate Tau-dependent neurodegeneration. Tau and the Retromer complex are both linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Using Drosophila neurodegeneration models, this study finds that low retromer activity induces a specific increase of a highly toxic truncated form of human Tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Asadzadeh
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evelyne Ruchti
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wei Jiao
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Greta Limoni
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Catherine MacLachlan
- BioEM Facility, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Scott A Small
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Graham Knott
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,BioEM Facility, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ismael Santa-Maria
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Facultad Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brian D McCabe
- Brain Mind Institute, EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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15
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Antón-Fernández A, Vallés-Saiz L, Avila J, Hernández F. Neuronal nuclear tau and neurodegeneration. Neuroscience 2022; 518:178-184. [PMID: 35872252 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a well-known microtubule-associated protein related to its cytoplasmic localization in a neuronal cell. However, tau has been located at the cell nucleus where it could be a nucleic acid-associated protein by its preferential binding to DNA sequences present in the nucleolus and pericentromeric heterochromatin. This less well-known localization of tau could not be trivial, since during aging, an increase in the amount of nuclear tau takes place and it may be related to the described role of tau in the activation of transposons and further aging acceleration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Antón-Fernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Vallés-Saiz
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Avila
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Félix Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Tau as a Biomarker of Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137307. [PMID: 35806324 PMCID: PMC9266883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Less than 50 years since tau was first isolated from a porcine brain, its detection in femtolitre concentrations in biological fluids is revolutionizing the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights the molecular and technological advances that have catapulted tau from obscurity to the forefront of biomarker diagnostics. Comprehensive updates are provided describing the burgeoning clinical applications of tau as a biomarker of neurodegeneration. For the clinician, tau not only enhances diagnostic accuracy, but holds promise as a predictor of clinical progression, phenotype, and response to drug therapy. For patients living with neurodegenerative disorders, characterization of tau dysregulation could provide much-needed clarity to a notoriously murky diagnostic landscape.
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17
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Reassessment of Neuronal Tau Distribution in Adult Human Brain and Implications for Tau Pathobiology. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:94. [PMID: 35765058 PMCID: PMC9237980 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01394-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a predominantly neuronal, soluble and natively unfolded protein that can bind and stabilize microtubules in the central nervous system. Tau has been extensively studied over several decades, especially in the context of neurodegenerative diseases where it can aberrantly aggregate to form a spectrum of pathological inclusions. The presence of tau inclusions in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads and dystrophic neurites within senile plaques are essential and defining features of Alzheimer’s disease. The current dogma favors the notion that tau is predominantly an axonal protein, and that in Alzheimer’s disease there is a redistribution of tau towards the neuronal soma that is associated with the formation of pathological inclusions such as neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. Using novel as well as previously established highly specific tau antibodies, we demonstrate that contrary to this overwhelmingly accepted fact, as asserted in numerous articles and reviews, in adult human brain, tau is more abundant in cortical gray matter that is enriched in neuronal soma and dendrites compared to white matter that is predominantly rich in neuronal axons. Additionally, in Alzheimer’s disease tau pathology is significantly more abundant in the brain cortical gray matter of affected brain regions compared to the adjacent white matter regions. These findings have important implications for the biological function of tau as well as the mechanisms involved in the progressive spread of tau associated with the insidious nature of Alzheimer’s disease.
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18
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Riley KJ, Graner BD, Veronesi MC. The tauopathies: Neuroimaging characteristics and emerging experimental therapies. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:565-581. [PMID: 35470528 PMCID: PMC9545715 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tauopathies are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders in which the prevailing underlying disease process is intracellular deposition of abnormal misfolded tau protein. Diseases often categorized as tauopathies include progressive supranuclear palsy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, corticobasal degeneration, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Tauopathies can be classified through clinical assessment, imaging findings, histologic validation, or molecular biomarkers tied to the underlying disease mechanism. Many tauopathies vary in their clinical presentation and overlap substantially in presentation, making clinical diagnosis of a specific primary tauopathy difficult. Anatomic imaging findings are also rarely specific to a single tauopathy, and when present may not manifest until well after the point at which therapy may be most impactful. Molecular biomarkers hold the most promise for patient care and form a platform upon which emerging diagnostic and therapeutic applications could be developed. One of the most exciting developments utilizing these molecular biomarkers for assessment of tau deposition within the brain is tau‐PET imaging utilizing novel ligands that specifically target tau protein. This review will discuss the background, significance, and clinical presentation of each tauopathy with additional attention to the pathologic mechanisms at the protein level. The imaging characteristics will be outlined with select examples of emerging imaging techniques. Finally, current treatment options and emerging therapies will be discussed. This is by no means a comprehensive review of the literature but is instead intended for the practicing radiologist as an overview of a rapidly evolving topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalen J Riley
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Brian D Graner
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Michael C Veronesi
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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19
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Peña-Ortega F, Robles-Gómez ÁA, Xolalpa-Cueva L. Microtubules as Regulators of Neural Network Shape and Function: Focus on Excitability, Plasticity and Memory. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060923. [PMID: 35326374 PMCID: PMC8946818 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal microtubules (MTs) are complex cytoskeletal protein arrays that undergo activity-dependent changes in their structure and function as a response to physiological demands throughout the lifespan of neurons. Many factors shape the allostatic dynamics of MTs and tubulin dimers in the cytosolic microenvironment, such as protein–protein interactions and activity-dependent shifts in these interactions that are responsible for their plastic capabilities. Recently, several findings have reinforced the role of MTs in behavioral and cognitive processes in normal and pathological conditions. In this review, we summarize the bidirectional relationships between MTs dynamics, neuronal processes, and brain and behavioral states. The outcomes of manipulating the dynamicity of MTs by genetic or pharmacological approaches on neuronal morphology, intrinsic and synaptic excitability, the state of the network, and behaviors are heterogeneous. We discuss the critical position of MTs as responders and adaptative elements of basic neuronal function whose impact on brain function is not fully understood, and we highlight the dilemma of artificially modulating MT dynamics for therapeutic purposes.
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20
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Alali S, Riazi G, Ashrafi-Kooshk MR, Meknatkhah S, Ahmadian S, Hooshyari Ardakani M, Hosseinkhani B. Cannabidiol Inhibits Tau Aggregation In Vitro. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123521. [PMID: 34944028 PMCID: PMC8700709 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. Compelling evidence indicates that the presence of tau aggregates causes irreversible neuronal destruction, eventually leading to synaptic loss. So far, the inhibition of tau aggregation has been recognized as one of the most effective therapeutic strategies. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major component found in Cannabis sativa L., has antioxidant activities as well as numerous neuroprotective features. Therefore, we hypothesize that CBD may serve as a potent substance to hamper tau aggregation in AD. In this study, we aim to investigate the CBD effect on the aggregation of recombinant human tau protein 1N/4R isoform using biochemical methods in vitro and in silico. Using Thioflavin T (ThT) assay, circular dichroism (CD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we demonstrated that CBD can suppress tau fibrils formation. Moreover, by quenching assay, docking, and job’s plot, we further demonstrated that one molecule of CBD interacts with one molecule of tau protein through a spontaneous binding. Experiments performed by quenching assay, docking, and Thioflavin T assay further established that the main forces are hydrogen Van der Waals and some non-negligible hydrophobic forces, affecting the lag phase of tau protein kinetics. Taken together, this study provides new insights about a natural substance, CBD, for tau therapy which may offer new hope for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soha Alali
- Laboratory of Neuro-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran; (M.R.A.-K.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (G.R.)
| | - Gholamhossein Riazi
- Laboratory of Neuro-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran; (M.R.A.-K.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (G.R.)
| | - Mohammad Reza Ashrafi-Kooshk
- Laboratory of Neuro-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran; (M.R.A.-K.); (S.M.)
| | - Sogol Meknatkhah
- Laboratory of Neuro-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran; (M.R.A.-K.); (S.M.)
| | - Shahin Ahmadian
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Hooshyari Ardakani
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran 1983969411, Iran;
| | - Baharak Hosseinkhani
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium;
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21
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Amro Z, Yool AJ, Collins-Praino LE. The potential role of glial cells in driving the prion-like transcellular propagation of tau in tauopathies. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 14:100242. [PMID: 34589757 PMCID: PMC8474563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with tauopathies, a class of diseases defined by pathology associated with the microtubule-enriched protein, tau, as the major contributor. Although tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal dementia, are common amongst the ageing population, current effective treatment options are scarce, primarily due to the incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. The mechanisms via which aggregated forms of tau are able to propagate from one anatomical area to another to cause disease spread and progression is yet unknown. The prion-like hypothesis of tau propagation proposes that tau can propagate along neighbouring anatomical areas in a similar manner to prion proteins in prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. This hypothesis has been supported by a plethora of studies that note the ability of tau to be actively secreted by neurons, propagated and internalised by neighbouring neuronal cells, causing disease spread. Surfacing research suggests a role of reactive astrocytes and microglia in early pre-clinical stages of tauopathy through their inflammatory actions. Furthermore, both glial types are able to internalise and secrete tau from the extracellular space, suggesting a potential role in tau propagation; although understanding the physiological mechanisms by which this can occur remains poorly understood. This review will discuss the current literature around the prion-like propagation of tau, with particular emphasis on glial-mediated neuroinflammation and the contribution it may play in this propagation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zein Amro
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Andrea J Yool
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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22
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Discovery of Active Ingredients Targeted TREM2 by SPR Biosensor-UPLC/MS Recognition System, and Investigating the Mechanism of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity on the Lignin-Amides from Datura metel Seeds. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195946. [PMID: 34641490 PMCID: PMC8512677 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As a new target protein for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) was expressed on the surface of microglia, which was shown to regulate neuroinflammation, be associated with a variety of neuropathologic, and regarded as a potential indicator for monitoring AD. In this study, a novel recognition system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for the TREM2 target spot was established coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), in order to screen the active ingredients targeting TREM2 from Datura metel seeds. The results showed that four lignan-amides were discovered as candidate compounds by SPR biosensor-UPLC/MS recognition analysis. According to the guidance of the active ingredients discovered by the system, the lignin-amides from Datura metel seeds (LDS) were preliminarily identified as containing 27 lignan-amides, which were enriched compositions by the HP-20 of Datura metel seeds. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory activity of LDS was evaluated in BV2 microglia induced by LPS. Our experimental results demonstrated that LDS could reduce NO release in LPS-treated BV2 microglia cells and significantly reduce the expression of the proteins of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), microtubule-associated protein tau (Tau), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1). Accordingly, LDS might increase the expression of TREM2/DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) and suppress the Toll-like receptor SX4 (TLR4) pathway and Recombinant NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing Protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) inflammasome expression by LDS in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. Then, the inhibitory release of inflammatory factors Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inflammatory cytokines were detected to inhibit neuroinflammatory responses. The present results propose that LDS has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory agent against microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders.
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23
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Pan Q, Guo K, Xue M, Tu Q. Estradiol exerts a neuroprotective effect on SH-SY5Y cells through the miR-106b-5p/TXNIP axis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22861. [PMID: 34318539 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Thioredoxin and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) complexes help sustain cell oxidation/reduction balance. In the present study, we verified the neuroprotective role of estradiol against amyloid-beta 42 in SH-SY5Y cells through inhibiting TXNIP expression, promoting cell viability and DNA synthesis ability, inhibiting cell apoptosis, and affecting caspase and Bax/Bcl-2 apoptotic signaling. miR-106b-5p could bind to TXNIP 3'-untranslated region to inhibit the expression level of TXNIP. Within SH-SY5Y cells, miR-106b-5p inhibition repressed cell viability and DNA synthesis ability and promoted cell apoptosis through caspase and Bax/Bcl-2 apoptotic signaling, while miR-106b-5p overexpression or TXNIP knockdown exerted the opposite effects on SH-SY5Y cells; TXNIP knockdown remarkably attenuated the roles of miR-106b-5p inhibition. In conclusion, estradiol treatment on SH-SY5Y cells downregulates TXNIP expression and upregulates miR-106b-5p expression. miR-106b-5p exerts a neuroprotective effect on SH-SY5Y cells by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting cell apoptosis through targeting TXNIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ke Guo
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiuyun Tu
- Department of Geriatric, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, China
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24
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Kanaan NM, Grabinski T. Neuronal and Glial Distribution of Tau Protein in the Adult Rat and Monkey. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:607303. [PMID: 33986642 PMCID: PMC8112591 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.607303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein for which the physiological functions remain a topic of vigorous investigation. Additionally, tau is a central player in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and several frontotemporal dementias. A critical variable to understanding tau in physiological and disease contexts is its normal localization within cells of the adult CNS. Tau is often described as an axon-specific (or enriched) and neuron-specific protein with little to no expression in glial cells, all of which are untrue. Understanding normal tau distribution also impacts interpretation of experimental results and hypotheses regarding its role in disease. Thus, we set out to help clarify the normal localization of tau in the adult CNS of middle-aged rats and rhesus macaque using the hippocampus as a representative brain structure. The physiological concentration of tau in the rat hippocampus was 6.6 μM and in white matter was 3.6 μM as determined by quantitative sandwich ELISAs. We evaluated the cellular localization of tau using multiple tau-specific antibodies with epitopes to different regions, including Tau1, Tau5, Tau7, R1, and two novel primate-specific antibodies NT9 and NT15. In the rat and monkey, tau was localized within the somatodendritic and axonal compartments, as well as a subset of neuronal nuclei. Semi-quantitative fluorescence intensity measurements revealed that depending on the specific reagent used the somatodendritic tau is relatively equal to, higher than, or lower than axonal tau, highlighting differential labeling of tau with various antibodies despite its distribution throughout the neuron. Tau was strongly expressed in mature oligodendrocytes and displayed little to no expression in oligodendrocyte precursor cells, astrocytes or microglia. Collectively, the data indicate tau is ∼3 - 7 μM under physiological conditions, is not specifically enriched in axons, and is normally found in both neurons and mature oligodendrocytes in the adult CNS. The full landscape of tau distribution is not revealed by all antibodies suggesting availability of the epitopes is different within specific neuronal compartments. These findings set the stage for better understanding normal tau distributions and interpreting data regarding the presence of tau in different compartments or cell types within disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Tessa Grabinski
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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Mueller RL, Combs B, Alhadidy MM, Brady ST, Morfini GA, Kanaan NM. Tau: A Signaling Hub Protein. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:647054. [PMID: 33815057 PMCID: PMC8017207 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.647054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over four decades ago, in vitro experiments showed that tau protein interacts with and stabilizes microtubules in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. This observation fueled the widespread hypotheses that these properties extend to living neurons and that reduced stability of microtubules represents a major disease-driving event induced by pathological forms of tau in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Accordingly, most research efforts to date have addressed this protein as a substrate, focusing on evaluating how specific mutations, phosphorylation, and other post-translational modifications impact its microtubule-binding and stabilizing properties. In contrast, fewer efforts were made to illuminate potential mechanisms linking physiological and disease-related forms of tau to the normal and pathological regulation of kinases and phosphatases. Here, we discuss published work indicating that, through interactions with various kinases and phosphatases, tau may normally act as a scaffolding protein to regulate phosphorylation-based signaling pathways. Expanding on this concept, we also review experimental evidence linking disease-related tau species to the misregulation of these pathways. Collectively, the available evidence supports the participation of tau in multiple cellular processes sustaining neuronal and glial function through various mechanisms involving the scaffolding and regulation of selected kinases and phosphatases at discrete subcellular compartments. The notion that the repertoire of tau functions includes a role as a signaling hub should widen our interpretation of experimental results and increase our understanding of tau biology in normal and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Mueller
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Mohammed M Alhadidy
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Scott T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Gerardo A Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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26
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Wu R, Gu J, Zhou D, Tung YC, Jin N, Chu D, Hu W, Wegiel J, Gong CX, Iqbal K, Liu F. Seeding-Competent Tau in Gray Matter Versus White Matter of Alzheimer's Disease Brain. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1647-1659. [PMID: 33459649 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibrillary pathology of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau spreads along neuroanatomical connections, underlying the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The propagation of tau pathology to axonally connected brain regions inevitably involves trafficking of seeding-competent tau within the axonal compartment of the neuron. OBJECTIVE To determine the seeding activity of tau in cerebral gray and white matters of AD. METHODS Levels of total tau, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and SDS- and β-mercaptoethanol-resistant high molecular weight tau (HMW-tau) in crude extracts from gray and white matters of AD frontal lobes were analyzed by immuno-blots. Tau seeding activity was quantitatively assessed by measuring RIPA buffer-insoluble tau in HEK-293FT/tau151-391 cells treated with brain extracts. RESULTS We found a comparable level of soluble tau in gray matter versus white matter of control brains, but a higher level of soluble tau in gray matter than white matter of AD brains. In AD brains, tau is hyperphosphorylated in both gray and white matters, with a higher level in the former. The extracts of both gray and white matters of AD brains seeded tau aggregation in HEK-293FT/tau151-391 cells but the white matter showed less potency. Seeding activity of tau in brain extracts was positively correlated with the levels of tau hyperphosphorylation and HMW-tau. RIPA-insoluble tau, but not RIPA-soluble tau, was hyperphosphorylated tau at multiple sites. CONCLUSION Both gray and white matters of AD brain contain seeding-competent tau that can template aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau, but the seeding potency is markedly higher in gray matter than in white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruozhen Wu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianlan Gu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dingwei Zhou
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunn Chyn Tung
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Nana Jin
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dandan Chu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Jerzy Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Cheng-Xin Gong
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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27
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In vitro amplification of pathogenic tau conserves disease-specific bioactive characteristics. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:193-215. [PMID: 33385254 PMCID: PMC7847465 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02253-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau (tau) forms hyperphosphorylated aggregates in the brains of tauopathy patients that can be pathologically and biochemically defined as distinct tau strains. Recent studies show that these tau strains exhibit strain-specific biological activities, also referred to as pathogenicities, in the tau spreading models. Currently, the specific pathogenicity of human-derived tau strains cannot be fully recapitulated by synthetic tau preformed fibrils (pffs), which are generated from recombinant tau protein. Reproducing disease-relevant tau pathology in cell and animal models necessitates the use of human brain-derived tau seeds. However, the availability of human-derived tau is extremely limited. Generation of tau variants that can mimic the pathogenicity of human-derived tau seeds would significantly extend the scale of experimental design within the field of tauopathy research. Previous studies have demonstrated that in vitro seeding reactions can amplify the beta-sheet structure of tau protein from a minute quantity of human-derived tau. However, whether the strain-specific pathogenicities of the original, human-derived tau seeds are conserved in the amplified tau strains has yet to be experimentally validated. Here, we used biochemically enriched brain-derived tau seeds from Alzheimer's disease (AD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patient brains with a modified seeding protocol to template the recruitment of recombinant 2N4R (T40) tau in vitro. We quantitatively interrogated efficacy of the amplification reactions and the pathogenic fidelity of the amplified material to the original tau seeds using recently developed sporadic tau spreading models. Our data suggest that different tau strains can be faithfully amplified in vitro from tau isolated from different tauopathy brains and that the amplified tau variants retain their strain-dependent pathogenic characteristics.
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28
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Morris SL, Tsai MY, Aloe S, Bechberger K, König S, Morfini G, Brady ST. Defined Tau Phosphospecies Differentially Inhibit Fast Axonal Transport Through Activation of Two Independent Signaling Pathways. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:610037. [PMID: 33568975 PMCID: PMC7868336 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.610037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is subject to phosphorylation by multiple kinases at more than 80 different sites. Some of these sites are associated with tau pathology and neurodegeneration, but other sites are modified in normal tau as well as in pathological tau. Although phosphorylation of tau at residues in the microtubule-binding repeats is thought to reduce tau association with microtubules, the functional consequences of other sites are poorly understood. The AT8 antibody recognizes a complex phosphoepitope site on tau that is detectable in a healthy brain but significantly increased in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Previous studies showed that phosphorylation of tau at the AT8 site leads to exposure of an N-terminal sequence that promotes activation of a protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)/glycogen synthase 3 (GSK3) signaling pathway, which inhibits kinesin-1-based anterograde fast axonal transport (FAT). This finding suggests that phosphorylation may control tau conformation and function. However, the AT8 includes three distinct phosphorylated amino acids that may be differentially phosphorylated in normal and disease conditions. To evaluate the effects of specific phosphorylation sites in the AT8 epitope, recombinant, pseudophosphorylated tau proteins were perfused into the isolated squid axoplasm preparation to determine their effects on axonal signaling pathways and FAT. Results from these studies suggest a mechanism where specific phosphorylation events differentially impact tau conformation, promoting activation of independent signaling pathways that differentially affect FAT. Implications of findings here to our understanding of tau function in health and disease conditions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Morris
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Ming-Ying Tsai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sarah Aloe
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | | | - Svenja König
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Scott T. Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
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29
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Maxwell SP, Cash MK, Rockwood K, Fisk JD, Darvesh S. Clinical and neuropathological variability in the rare IVS10 + 14 tau mutation. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 101:298.e1-298.e10. [PMID: 33612310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau gene are known to cause progressive neurodegenerative disorders with variable clinical and neuropathological phenotypes, including the intronic 10 + 14 (IVS10 + 14) splice site mutation. Three families have been reported with the IVS10 + 14 microtubule-associated protein tau mutation. Here, we describe the clinical and neuropathological data from an additional family. Neuropathological data were available for 2 of the 3 cases, III-4, and III-5. While III-5 had widespread tau deposition and atrophy, III-4 exhibited more mild neuropathological changes except for the substantia nigra. The previously reported families that express the IVS10 + 14 mutation exhibited significant interfamilial heterogeneity, with symptoms including amyotrophy, dementia, disinhibition, parkinsonism, and breathing problems. In addition to expressing many of these symptoms, members of this fourth family experienced profound sensory abnormalities and sleep disturbance. Although there were probable clinicopathological correlates for the symptoms expressed by the earlier families and III-5 from our cohort, pathology in III-4 did not appear sufficient to explain symptom severity. This indicates the need to explore alternate mechanisms of tau-induced brain dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena P Maxwell
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Meghan K Cash
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kenneth Rockwood
- Department of Medicine (Division of Geriatric Medicine), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medicine (Division of Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - John D Fisk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Geriatric Medicine), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sultan Darvesh
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medicine (Division of Geriatric Medicine), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medicine (Division of Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Physics, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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30
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Isoform-selective decrease of glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β) reduces synaptic tau phosphorylation, transcellular spreading, and aggregation. iScience 2021; 24:102058. [PMID: 33554064 PMCID: PMC7848608 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that aberrant activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β) can trigger abnormal tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation, which ultimately leads to neuronal/synaptic damage and impaired cognition in Alzheimer disease (AD). We examined if isoform-selective partial reduction of GSK-3β can decrease pathological tau changes, including hyperphosphorylation, aggregation, and spreading, in mice with localized human wild-type tau (hTau) expression in the brain. We used adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to express hTau locally in the entorhinal cortex of wild-type and GSK-3β hemi-knockout (GSK-3β-HK) mice. GSK-3β-HK mice had significantly less accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in synapses and showed a significant decrease of tau protein spread between neurons. In primary neuronal cultures from GSK-3β-HK mice, the aggregation of exogenous FTD-mutant tau was also significantly reduced. These results show that a partial decrease of GSK-3β significantly represses tau-initiated neurodegenerative changes in the brain, and therefore is a promising therapeutic target for AD and other tauopathies. Genetic reduction of GSK-3β decreases synaptic accrual of GSK-3β and p-Tau in mice Reduction of GSK-3β lowers the trans-cellular spread of tau in vivo and in vitro Reduction of GSK-3β diminishes the formation of tau aggregates in vitro
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31
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Gu JL, Liu F. Tau in Alzheimer's Disease: Pathological Alterations and an Attractive Therapeutic Target. Curr Med Sci 2021; 40:1009-1021. [PMID: 33428128 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-020-2282-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease with two major hallmarks: extracellular amyloid plaques made of amyloid-β (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau. The number of NFTs correlates positively with the severity of dementia in AD patients. However, there is still no efficient therapy available for AD treatment and prevention so far. A deeper understanding of AD pathogenesis has identified novel strategies for the generation of specific therapies over the past few decades. Several studies have suggested that the prion-like seeding and spreading of tau pathology in the brain may be a key driver of AD. Tau protein is considered as a promising candidate target for the development of therapeutic interventions due to its considerable pathological role in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Abnormal tau hyperphosphorylation plays a detrimental pathological role, eventually leading to neurodegeneration. In the present review, we describe the recent research progresses in the pathological mechanisms of tau protein in AD and briefly discuss tau-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Lan Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China. .,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration and Ministry of Education of Jiangsu, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
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32
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Tau at the interface between neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Genes Immun 2020; 21:288-300. [PMID: 33011744 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-020-00113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tau is an evolutionary conserved protein that promotes the assembly and stabilization of microtubules in neuronal axons. Complex patterns of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) dynamically regulate tau biochemical properties and consequently its functions. An imbalance in tau PTMs has been connected with a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions which are collectively known as tauopathies and include Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) among others. The hallmark of these neurological disorders is the presence in the brain of fibrillary tangles constituted of misfolded species of hyper-phosphorylated tau. The pathological events leading to tau aggregation are still largely unknown but increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in tangle formation. Moreover, tau aggregation itself could enhance inflammation through feed-forward mechanisms, amplifying the initial neurotoxic insults. Protective effects of tau against neuroinflammation have been also documented, adding another layer of complexity to this phenomenon. Here, we will review the current knowledge on tau regulation and function in health and disease. In particular, we will address its emerging role in connecting neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory processes.
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Tau and Alpha Synuclein Synergistic Effect in Neurodegenerative Diseases: When the Periphery Is the Core. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145030. [PMID: 32708732 PMCID: PMC7404325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In neuronal cells, tau is a microtubule-associated protein placed in axons and alpha synuclein is enriched at presynaptic terminals. They display a propensity to form pathologic aggregates, which are considered the underlying cause of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Their functional impairment induces loss of axonal transport, synaptic and mitochondrial disarray, leading to a "dying back" pattern of degeneration, which starts at the periphery of cells. In addition, pathologic spreading of alpha-synuclein from the peripheral nervous system to the brain through anatomical connectivity has been demonstrated for Parkinson's disease. Thus, examination of the extent and types of tau and alpha-synuclein in peripheral tissues and their relation to brain neurodegenerative diseases is of relevance since it may provide insights into patterns of protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Moreover, peripheral nervous tissues are easily accessible in-vivo and can play a relevant role in the early diagnosis of these conditions. Up-to-date investigations of tau species in peripheral tissues are scant and have mainly been restricted to rodents, whereas, more evidence is available on alpha synuclein in peripheral tissues. Here we aim to review the literature on the functional role of tau and alpha synuclein in physiological conditions and disease at the axonal level, their distribution in peripheral tissues, and discuss possible commonalities/diversities as well as their interaction in proteinopathies.
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Kaniyappan S, Tepper K, Biernat J, Chandupatla RR, Hübschmann S, Irsen S, Bicher S, Klatt C, Mandelkow EM, Mandelkow E. FRET-based Tau seeding assay does not represent prion-like templated assembly of Tau filaments. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:39. [PMID: 32677995 PMCID: PMC7364478 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau aggregation into amyloid fibers based on the cross-beta structure is a hallmark of several Tauopathies, including Alzheimer Disease (AD). Trans-cellular propagation of Tau with pathological conformation has been suggested as a key disease mechanism. This is thought to cause the spreading of Tau pathology in AD by templated conversion of naive Tau in recipient cells into a pathological state, followed by assembly of pathological Tau fibers, similar to the mechanism of nucleated polymerization proposed for prion pathogenesis. In cell cultures, the process is often monitored by a FRET assay where the recipient cell expresses the Tau repeat domain (TauRD) with a pro-aggregant mutation, fused to GFP-based FRET pairs. Since the size of the reporter GFP (barrel of ~ 3 nm × 4 nm) is ~ 7 times larger than the β-strand distance (0.47 nm), this points to a potential steric clash. Hence, we investigated the influence of the GFP tag on TauFL or TauRD aggregation. Using biophysical methods (light scattering, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning-transmission electron microscopy (STEM)), we found that the assembly of TauRD-GFP was severely inhibited and incompatible with that of Alzheimer filaments. These observations argue against the hypothesis that the propagation of Tau pathology in AD is caused by the prion-like templated aggregation of Tau protein, transmitted via cell-to-cell spreading of Tau. Thus, even though the observed local increase of FRET in recipient cells may be a valid hallmark of a pathological reaction, our data argue that it is caused by a process distinct from assembly of TauRD filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilvelrajan Kaniyappan
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany. .,Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Katharina Tepper
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jacek Biernat
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany.,CAESAR Research Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany. .,CAESAR Research Center, Bonn, Germany.
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35
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Guo T, Zhang D, Zeng Y, Huang TY, Xu H, Zhao Y. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:40. [PMID: 32677986 PMCID: PMC7364557 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00391-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 431] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder seen in age-dependent dementia. There is currently no effective treatment for AD, which may be attributed in part to lack of a clear underlying mechanism. Studies within the last few decades provide growing evidence for a central role of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, as well as glial contributions to various molecular and cellular pathways in AD pathogenesis. Herein, we review recent progress with respect to Aβ- and tau-associated mechanisms, and discuss glial dysfunction in AD with emphasis on neuronal and glial receptors that mediate Aβ-induced toxicity. We also discuss other critical factors that may affect AD pathogenesis, including genetics, aging, variables related to environment, lifestyle habits, and describe the potential role of apolipoprotein E (APOE), viral and bacterial infection, sleep, and microbiota. Although we have gained much towards understanding various aspects underlying this devastating neurodegenerative disorder, greater commitment towards research in molecular mechanism, diagnostics and treatment will be needed in future AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Guo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Denghong Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuzhe Zeng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Timothy Y Huang
- Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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Koren SA, Galvis-Escobar S, Abisambra JF. Tau-mediated dysregulation of RNA: Evidence for a common molecular mechanism of toxicity in frontotemporal dementia and other tauopathies. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104939. [PMID: 32413399 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementias (FTDs) encompass several disorders commonly characterized by progressive frontotemporal lobar degeneration and dementia. Pathologically, TDP-43, FUS, dipeptide repeats, and tau constitute the protein aggregates in FTD, which in turn coincide with heterogeneity in clinical variants. The underlying molecular etiology explaining the formation of each type of protein aggregate remains unclear; however, dysregulated RNA metabolism rises as a common pathogenic factor. Alongside with TDP-43 and FUS, which bind to and regulate RNA dynamics, emerging data suggest that tau may also regulate RNA metabolism and translation. The complex mechanisms that drive translational selectivity in turn regulate the broad clinical presentation of FTDs. Here, we focus on the enigmatic relationship between tau and RNA and review the mechanisms of tau-mediated dysregulation of RNA in tauopathies such as FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shon A Koren
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, BOX 100159, 1275 Center Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Sara Galvis-Escobar
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, BOX 100159, 1275 Center Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Jose F Abisambra
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, BOX 100159, 1275 Center Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America.
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Sung K, Jimenez-Sanchez M. Autophagy in Astrocytes and its Implications in Neurodegeneration. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2605-2621. [PMID: 31931011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a major degradation pathway where double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes deliver cytoplasmic content to the lysosome. Increasing evidence suggests that autophagy dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, misfolded proteins that accumulate in these diseases and constitute a common pathological hallmark are substrates for autophagic degradation. Astrocytes, a major type of glial cells, are emerging as a critical component in most neurodegenerative diseases. This review will summarize the recent efforts to investigate the role that autophagy plays in astrocytes in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. While the field has mostly focused on the implications of autophagy in neurons, autophagy may also be involved in the clearance of disease-related proteins in astrocytes as well as in maintaining astrocyte function, which could impact the cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous contribution of astrocytes to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Sung
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Maria Jimenez-Sanchez
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK.
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Montalbano M, McAllen S, Sengupta U, Puangmalai N, Bhatt N, Ellsworth A, Kayed R. Tau oligomers mediate aggregation of RNA-binding proteins Musashi1 and Musashi2 inducing Lamin alteration. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e13035. [PMID: 31532069 PMCID: PMC6826126 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The exact mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies are not yet entirely understood. However, it is known that several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) form toxic aggregates and also interact with tau in such granules in tauopathies, including AD. The Musashi (MSI) family of RBPs, consisting of two homologues: Musashi1 and Musashi2, have not been extensively investigated in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, using a tau inducible HEK (iHEK) model we investigate whether MSI proteins contribute to the aggregation of toxic tau oligomers (TauO). Wild-type and mutant P301L tau iHEK cells are used to study the effect of different tau variants on the cellular localization of MSI proteins. Interestingly, we observe that tau co-localizes with MSI in the cytoplasm and nuclei, altering the nuclear transport of MSI. Furthermore, incremental changes in the size and density of nuclear MSI/tau foci are observed. We also report here that TauO interact with MSI to cause the formation of distinct nuclear aggregates. Moreover, tau/MSI aggregates induce structural changes to LaminB1, leading to nuclear instability. These results illustrate a possible mechanism of neurodegeneration mediated by the aggregation of MSI proteins and TauO, suggesting that MSI plays a critical role in cellular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
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Craven KM, Kochen WR, Hernandez CM, Flinn JM. Zinc Exacerbates Tau Pathology in a Tau Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 64:617-630. [PMID: 29914030 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylated tau protein is a key pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Parkinson's disease. The essential trace element zinc exacerbates tauopathy in vitro as well as in a Drosophila model of AD. However, the interaction has never been assessed behaviorally or biochemically in mammals. Zinc supplementation is prevalent in society, finding use as a treatment for macular degeneration and cataracts, and is also taken as an immune system booster with high levels appearing in multivitamins marketed toward the elderly. Using a transgenic mouse model that contains the human gene for tau protein (P301L), we assessed the effects of excess chronic zinc supplementation on tau pathology. Behavioral tests included nest building, circadian rhythm, Morris Water Maze, fear conditioning, and open field. Biochemically, total tau and Ser396 phosphorylation were assessed using western blot. Number of tangles were assessed by Thioflavin-S and free zinc levels were assessed by Zinpyr-1. Tau mice demonstrated behavioral deficits compared to control mice. Zinc supplementation exacerbated tauopathic deficits in circadian rhythm, nesting behavior, and Morris Water Maze. Biochemically, zinc-supplemented tau mice showed increased phosphorylation at pSer396. Zinc supplementation in tau mice also increased tangle numbers in the hippocampus while decreasing free-zinc levels, demonstrating that tangles were sequestering zinc. These results show that zinc intensified the deficits in behavior and biochemistry caused by tau.
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Sato C, Barthélemy NR, Mawuenyega KG, Patterson BW, Gordon BA, Jockel-Balsarotti J, Sullivan M, Crisp MJ, Kasten T, Kirmess KM, Kanaan NM, Yarasheski KE, Baker-Nigh A, Benzinger TLS, Miller TM, Karch CM, Bateman RJ. Tau Kinetics in Neurons and the Human Central Nervous System. Neuron 2019; 97:1284-1298.e7. [PMID: 29566794 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We developed stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry approaches to measure the kinetics of multiple isoforms and fragments of tau in the human central nervous system (CNS) and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. Newly synthesized tau is truncated and released from human neurons in 3 days. Although most tau proteins have similar turnover, 4R tau isoforms and phosphorylated forms of tau exhibit faster turnover rates, suggesting unique processing of these forms that may have independent biological activities. The half-life of tau in control human iPSC-derived neurons is 6.74 ± 0.45 days and in human CNS is 23 ± 6.4 days. In cognitively normal and Alzheimer's disease participants, the production rate of tau positively correlates with the amount of amyloid plaques, indicating a biological link between amyloid plaques and tau physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Nicolas R Barthélemy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kwasi G Mawuenyega
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bruce W Patterson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brian A Gordon
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Melissa Sullivan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Matthew J Crisp
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tom Kasten
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kristopher M Kirmess
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kevin E Yarasheski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alaina Baker-Nigh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tammie L S Benzinger
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Timothy M Miller
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Dávila-Bouziguet E, Targa-Fabra G, Ávila J, Soriano E, Pascual M. Differential accumulation of Tau phosphorylated at residues Thr231, Ser262 and Thr205 in hippocampal interneurons and its modulation by Tau mutations (VLW) and amyloid-β peptide. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 125:232-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Panza F, Imbimbo BP, Lozupone M, Greco A, Seripa D, Logroscino G, Daniele A, Colosimo C. Disease-modifying therapies for tauopathies: agents in the pipeline. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:397-408. [PMID: 30973276 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1606715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tauopathies are heterogeneous clinicopathological entities characterized by abnormal neuronal and/or glial inclusions of the microtubule-binding protein tau. Primary tauopathies considered to be diseases correspond to a major class of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) neuropathology (FTLD-Tau), including several forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) clinical syndromes. Little progress has been made in the past 20 years in developing effective disease-modifying drugs for primary tauopathies and available symptomatic treatments have limited efficacy. Areas covered: Potential disease-modifying drugs in clinical development to slow neuropathological progression of primary tauopathies. Expert opinion: Since the underlying pathology of primary tauopathies consists of abnormal tau protein aggregates, treatments are being developed to interfere with the aggregation process or to promote the clearance of this protein. Unfortunately, disease-modifying treatments remain years away as demonstrated by the recent negative Phase III findings of a tau aggregation inhibitor (LMTM) for treating the behavioral variant of FTD. Further evidence will come from ongoing Phase I/II trials on novel drugs and immunotherapeutics with various targets - prevention of deposition or removal of tau aggregates, inhibition of tau phosphorylation/acetylation, modulation of O-GlcNAcylation, activation of autophagy or ubiquitin-proteasome system pathways, and rescue of selected tau loss of function or suppression of tau gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Panza
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs , University of Bari "Aldo Moro" , Bari , Italy.,b Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain , University of Bari "Aldo Moro", "Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico" , Lecce , Italy.,c Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS , "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" , Foggia , Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- d Department of Research and Development , Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma , Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs , University of Bari "Aldo Moro" , Bari , Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- c Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS , "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" , Foggia , Italy
| | - Davide Seripa
- c Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS , "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" , Foggia , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs , University of Bari "Aldo Moro" , Bari , Italy.,b Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain , University of Bari "Aldo Moro", "Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico" , Lecce , Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- e Institute of Neurology , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy.,f Institute of Neurology , Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Carlo Colosimo
- g Department of Neurological Sciences , Santa Maria University Hospital , Terni , Italy
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Bjørklund G, Aaseth J, Dadar M, Chirumbolo S. Molecular Targets in Alzheimer’s Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7032-7044. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1563-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Koren SA, Hamm MJ, Meier SE, Weiss BE, Nation GK, Chishti EA, Arango JP, Chen J, Zhu H, Blalock EM, Abisambra JF. Tau drives translational selectivity by interacting with ribosomal proteins. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:571-583. [PMID: 30759285 PMCID: PMC6426815 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-01970-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is a fundamental gap in understanding the consequences of tau-ribosome interactions. Tau oligomers and filaments hinder protein synthesis in vitro, and they associate strongly with ribosomes in vivo. Here, we investigated the consequences of tau interactions with ribosomes in transgenic mice, in cells, and in human brain tissues to identify tau as a direct modulator of ribosomal selectivity. First, we performed microarrays and nascent proteomics to measure changes in protein synthesis. Using regulatable rTg4510 tau transgenic mice, we determined that tau expression differentially shifts both the transcriptome and the nascent proteome, and that the synthesis of ribosomal proteins is reversibly dependent on tau levels. We further extended these results to human brains and found that tau pathologically interacts with ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6 or S6), a crucial regulator of translation. Consequently, protein synthesis under translational control of rpS6 was reduced under tauopathic conditions in Alzheimer's disease brains. Our data establish tau as a driver of RNA translation selectivity. Moreover, since regulation of protein synthesis is critical for learning and memory, aberrant tau-ribosome interactions in disease could explain the linkage between tauopathies and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shon A Koren
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BOX 100159, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Matthew J Hamm
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BOX 100159, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Shelby E Meier
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Blaine E Weiss
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Grant K Nation
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Emad A Chishti
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Juan Pablo Arango
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Haining Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Eric M Blalock
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA
| | - Jose F Abisambra
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BOX 100159, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Epilepsy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40513, USA.
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Castellani RJ, Perry G. Tau Biology, Tauopathy, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Diagnostic Challenges. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 67:447-467. [PMID: 30584140 PMCID: PMC6398540 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the pathobiology of tau protein, given its potential role in neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Tau is an important microtubule associated protein, required for the assembly of tubulin into microtubules and maintaining structural integrity of axons. Tau has other diverse cellular functions involving signal transduction, cellular proliferation, developmental neurobiology, neuroplasticity, and synaptic activity. Alternative splicing results in tau isoforms with differing microtubule binding affinity, differing representation in pathological inclusions in certain disease states, and differing roles in developmental biology and homeostasis. Tau haplotypes confer differing susceptibility to neurodegeneration. Tau phosphorylation is a normal metabolic process, critical in controlling tau's binding to microtubules, and is ongoing within the brain at all times. Tau may be hyperphosphorylated, and may aggregate as detectable fibrillar deposits in tissues, in both aging and neurodegenerative disease. The hypothesis that p-tau is neurotoxic has prompted constructs related to isomers, low-n assembly intermediates or oligomers, and the "tau prion". Human postmortem studies have elucidated broad patterns of tauopathy, with tendencies for those patterns to differ as a function of disease phenotype. However, there is extensive overlap, not only between genuine neurodegenerative diseases, but also between aging and disease. Recent studies highlight uniqueness to pathological patterns, including a pattern attributed to repetitive head trauma, although clinical correlations have been elusive. The diagnostic process for tauopathies and neurodegenerative diseases in general is challenging in many respects, and may be particularly problematic for postmortem evaluation of former athletes and military service members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy J. Castellani
- Departments of Pathology and Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Tau Interacting Proteins: Gaining Insight into the Roles of Tau in Health and Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1184:145-166. [PMID: 32096036 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tau is most intensely studied in relation to its executive role in Tauopathies, a family of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of Tau aggregates [15, 21, 38, 75, 89, 111, 121, 135, 175, 176, 192]. Tau aggregation in the different Tauopathies differs in the affected cell type, the structure of aggregates and Tau isoform composition. However, in all Tauopathies, accumulation of pathological Tau in well-characterized and well-defined brain regions, correlates strongly with symptoms associated with the dysfunction of this brain region. Hence, symptoms of neurodegenerative Tauopathies can range from motoric to cognitive and behavioral symptoms, even extending to deterioration of vital functions when the disease progresses, or combinations of different symptoms governed by the affected brain regions. The most common Tauopathies are corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and frontotemporal dementias with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). However a growing number of diseases are characterized by Tau aggregation amounting to a large family of more than 20 disorders [176]. Most Tauopathies are sporadic, and are hence linked to a combination of environmental and genetic risk factors. However, mutations in MAPT have been identified which are autosomal dominantly linked to Tauopathies, including FTDP, PSP and CBD [94, 163, 185] (Alzforum, https://www.alzforum.org/mutations/mapt ). More than 80 mutations have been identified in MAPT, both in intronic and exonic regions of the human MAPT. These mutations can be classified as missense mutations or splicing mutations. Most missense mutations cluster in or near the microtubule binding site of Tau, while most splicing mutations affect the splicing of exon 10 (encoding the R2 domain), and hence affect the 3R/4R ratio. While Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the most prevalent Tauopathy, no mutations in MAPT associated with AD have been identified. Brains of AD patients are pathologically characterized by the combined presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles [171]. Familial forms of AD, termed early onset familial AD (EOFAD) with clinical mutations in APP or PS1/2, have an early onset, and are invariably characterized by the combined presence of amyloid and Tau pathology [24, 80, 170]. These EOFAD cases, identify a causal link between APP/PS1 misprocessing and the development of Tau pathology and neurodegeneration [80, 170]. Furthermore, combined genetic, pathological, biomarker and in vivo modelling data, indicate that amyloid pathology precedes Tau pathology, and support a role for Aβ as initiator and Tau as executor in the pathogenetic process of AD [80, 96, 97]. Hence, AD is often considered as a secondary Tauopathy (similar as for Down syndrome patients), in contrast to the primary Tauopathies described above. Tau aggregates in Tauopathies vary with respect to the ratio of different Tau isoforms (3R/4R), to the cell types displaying Tau aggregation and the structure of the aggregates. However, in all Tauopathies a strong correlation between progressive development of pathological Tau accumulation and the loss of the respective brain functions is observed.
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Chauderlier A, Gilles M, Spolcova A, Caillierez R, Chwastyniak M, Kress M, Drobecq H, Bonnefoy E, Pinet F, Weil D, Buée L, Galas MC, Lefebvre B. Tau/DDX6 interaction increases microRNA activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:762-772. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Seynnaeve D, Vecchio MD, Fruhmann G, Verelst J, Cools M, Beckers J, Mulvihill DP, Winderickx J, Franssens V. Recent Insights on Alzheimer's Disease Originating from Yeast Models. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1947. [PMID: 29970827 PMCID: PMC6073265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review article, yeast model-based research advances regarding the role of Amyloid-β (Aβ), Tau and frameshift Ubiquitin UBB+1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are discussed. Despite having limitations with regard to intercellular and cognitive AD aspects, these models have clearly shown their added value as complementary models for the study of the molecular aspects of these proteins, including their interplay with AD-related cellular processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteostasis. Moreover, these yeast models have also shown their importance in translational research, e.g., in compound screenings and for AD diagnostics development. In addition to well-established Saccharomyces cerevisiae models, new upcoming Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida glabrata and Kluyveromyces lactis yeast models for Aβ and Tau are briefly described. Finally, traditional and more innovative research methodologies, e.g., for studying protein oligomerization/aggregation, are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Seynnaeve
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Mara Del Vecchio
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Gernot Fruhmann
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joke Verelst
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Melody Cools
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Daniel P Mulvihill
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, Kent, UK.
| | - Joris Winderickx
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Vanessa Franssens
- Functional Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Sotiropoulos I, Galas MC, Silva JM, Skoulakis E, Wegmann S, Maina MB, Blum D, Sayas CL, Mandelkow EM, Mandelkow E, Spillantini MG, Sousa N, Avila J, Medina M, Mudher A, Buee L. Atypical, non-standard functions of the microtubule associated Tau protein. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:91. [PMID: 29187252 PMCID: PMC5707803 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) over 40 years ago, most studies have focused on Tau's role in microtubule stability and regulation, as well as on the neuropathological consequences of Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. In recent years, however, research efforts identified new interaction partners and different sub-cellular localizations for Tau suggesting additional roles beyond its standard function as microtubule regulating protein. Moreover, despite the increasing research focus on AD over the last decades, Tau was only recently considered as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of AD as well as for neurological pathologies beyond AD e.g. epilepsy, excitotoxicity, and environmental stress. This review will focus on atypical, non-standard roles of Tau on neuronal function and dysfunction in AD and other neurological pathologies providing novel insights about neuroplastic and neuropathological implications of Tau in both the central and the peripheral nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Medical School, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal.
| | | | - Joana M Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Medical School, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Efthimios Skoulakis
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Susanne Wegmann
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Mahmoud Bukar Maina
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - David Blum
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Carmen Laura Sayas
- Centre for Biomedical Research of the Canary Islands (CIBICAN), Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; CAESAR Research Institute, Bonn, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Köln, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; CAESAR Research Institute, Bonn, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Köln, Germany
| | | | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Medical School, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jesus Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valderrebollo 5, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" CSIC-UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Medina
- CIBERNED, Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Madrid, Spain
- CIEN Foundation, Queen Sofia Foundation Alzheimer Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amrit Mudher
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Campus, Center for Biological Sciences, Southampton, UK
| | - Luc Buee
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, 59000, Lille, France
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Kneynsberg A, Combs B, Christensen K, Morfini G, Kanaan NM. Axonal Degeneration in Tauopathies: Disease Relevance and Underlying Mechanisms. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:572. [PMID: 29089864 PMCID: PMC5651019 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a diverse group of diseases featuring progressive dying-back neurodegeneration of specific neuronal populations in association with accumulation of abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. It is well-established that the clinical symptoms characteristic of tauopathies correlate with deficits in synaptic function and neuritic connectivity early in the course of disease, but mechanisms underlying these critical pathogenic events are not fully understood. Biochemical in vitro evidence fueled the widespread notion that microtubule stabilization represents tau's primary biological role and that the marked atrophy of neurites observed in tauopathies results from loss of microtubule stability. However, this notion contrasts with the mild phenotype associated with tau deletion. Instead, an analysis of cellular hallmarks common to different tauopathies, including aberrant patterns of protein phosphorylation and early degeneration of axons, suggests that alterations in kinase-based signaling pathways and deficits in axonal transport (AT) associated with such alterations contribute to the loss of neuronal connectivity triggered by pathogenic forms of tau. Here, we review a body of literature providing evidence that axonal pathology represents an early and common pathogenic event among human tauopathies. Observations of axonal degeneration in animal models of specific tauopathies are discussed and similarities to human disease highlighted. Finally, we discuss potential mechanistic pathways other than microtubule destabilization by which disease-related forms of tau may promote axonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kneynsberg
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kyle Christensen
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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