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Medegan Fagla B, Buhimschi IA. Protein Misfolding in Pregnancy: Current Insights, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications for the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia. Molecules 2024; 29:610. [PMID: 38338354 PMCID: PMC10856193 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030610] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding disorders are a group of diseases characterized by supra-physiologic accumulation and aggregation of pathogenic proteoforms resulting from improper protein folding and/or insufficiency in clearance mechanisms. Although these processes have been historically linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, evidence linking protein misfolding to other pathologies continues to emerge. Indeed, the deposition of toxic protein aggregates in the form of oligomers or large amyloid fibrils has been linked to type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, and, in more recent years, to preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy-specific disorder. While extensive physiological mechanisms are in place to maintain proteostasis, processes, such as aging, genetic factors, or environmental stress in the form of hypoxia, nutrient deprivation or xenobiotic exposures can induce failure in these systems. As such, pregnancy, a natural physical state that already places the maternal body under significant physiological stress, creates an environment with a lower threshold for aberrant aggregation. In this review, we set out to discuss current evidence of protein misfolding in pregnancy and potential mechanisms supporting a key role for this process in preeclampsia pathogenesis. Improving our understanding of this emerging pathophysiological process in preeclampsia can lead to vital discoveries that can be harnessed to create better diagnoses and treatment modalities for the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina Alexandra Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
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2
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Petrlova J, Hartman E, Petruk G, Lim JCH, Adav SS, Kjellström S, Puthia M, Schmidtchen A. Selective protein aggregation confines and inhibits endotoxins in wounds: Linking host defense to amyloid formation. iScience 2023; 26:107951. [PMID: 37817942 PMCID: PMC10561040 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces rapid protein aggregation in human wound fluid. We aimed to characterize these LPS-induced aggregates and their functional implications using a combination of mass spectrometry analyses, biochemical assays, biological imaging, cell experiments, and animal models. The wound-fluid aggregates encompass diverse protein classes, including sequences from coagulation factors, annexins, histones, antimicrobial proteins/peptides, and apolipoproteins. We identified proteins and peptides with a high aggregation propensity and verified selected components through Western blot analysis. Thioflavin T and Amytracker staining revealed amyloid-like aggregates formed after exposure to LPS in vitro in human wound fluid and in vivo in porcine wound models. Using NF-κB-reporter mice and IVIS bioimaging, we demonstrate that such wound-fluid LPS aggregates induce a significant reduction in local inflammation compared with LPS in plasma. The results show that protein/peptide aggregation is a mechanism for confining LPS and reducing inflammation, further emphasizing the connection between host defense and amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Petrlova
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Hartman
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ganna Petruk
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeremy Chun Hwee Lim
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sunil Shankar Adav
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sven Kjellström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, BioMS, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Manoj Puthia
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Artur Schmidtchen
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
- Dermatology, Skane University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden
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Morfino P, Aimo A, Vergaro G, Sanguinetti C, Castiglione V, Franzini M, Perrone MA, Emdin M. Transthyretin Stabilizers and Seeding Inhibitors as Therapies for Amyloid Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041129. [PMID: 37111614 PMCID: PMC10143494 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a progressive and increasingly recognized cause of heart failure which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. ATTR-CM is characterized by the misfolding of TTR monomers and their deposition within the myocardium as amyloid fibrils. The standard of care for ATTR-CM consists of TTR-stabilizing ligands, such as tafamidis, which aim at maintaining the native structure of TTR tetramers, thus preventing amyloid aggregation. However, their efficacy in advanced-staged disease and after long-term treatment is still a source of concern, suggesting the existence of other pathogenetic factors. Indeed, pre-formed fibrils present in the tissue can further accelerate amyloid aggregation in a self-propagating process known as “amyloid seeding”. The inhibition of amyloidogenesis through TTR stabilizers combined with anti-seeding peptides may represent a novel strategy with additional benefits over current therapies. Finally, the role of stabilizing ligands needs to be reassessed in view of the promising results derived from trials which have evaluated alternative strategies, such as TTR silencers and immunological amyloid disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Morfino
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vergaro
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Sanguinetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Castiglione
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Franzini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Alfonso Perrone
- Division of Cardiology and CardioLab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Arghavani P, Badiei A, Ghadami SA, Habibi-Rezaei M, Moosavi-Movahedi F, Delphi L, Moosavi-Movahedi AA. Inhibiting mTTR Aggregation/Fibrillation by a Chaperone-like Hydrophobic Amino Acid-Conjugated SPION. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:1640-1654. [PMID: 35090112 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c08796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) aggregation via misfolding of a mutant or wild-type protein leads to systemic or partial amyloidosis (ATTR). Here, we utilized variable biophysical assays to characterize two distinct aggregation pathways for mTTR (a synthesized monomer TTR incapable of association into a tetramer) at pH 4.3 and also pH 7.4 with agitation, referred to as mTTR aggregation and fibrillation, respectively. The findings suggest that early-stage conformational changes termed monomer activation here determine the aggregation pathway, resulting in developing either amorphous aggregates or well-organized fibrils. Less packed partially unfolded monomers consisting of more non-regular secondary structures that were rapidly produced via a mildly acidic condition form amorphous aggregates. Meanwhile, more hydrophobic and packed monomers consisting of rearranged β sheets and increased helical content developed well-organized fibrils. Conjugating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with leucine and glutamine (L-SPIONs and G-SPIONs in order) via a trimethoxysilane linker provided the chance to study the effect of hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces on mTTR aggregation. The results indicated a powerful inhibitory effect of hydrophobic L-SPIONs on both mTTR aggregation and fibrillation. Monomer depletion was introduced as the governing mechanism for inhibiting mTTR aggregation, while a chaperone-like property of L-SPIONs by maintaining an mTTR native structure and adsorbing oligomers suppressed the progression of further fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam Arghavani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417466191, Iran
| | - Alireza Badiei
- School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Seyyed Abolghasem Ghadami
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran 1993893973, Iran
| | - Mehran Habibi-Rezaei
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | | | - Ladan Delphi
- Department of Animal Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
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Cotrina EY, Santos LM, Rivas J, Blasi D, Leite JP, Liz MA, Busquets MA, Planas A, Prohens R, Gimeno A, Jiménez-Barbero J, Gales L, Llop J, Quintana J, Cardoso I, Arsequell G. Targeting transthyretin in Alzheimer's disease: Drug discovery of small-molecule chaperones as disease-modifying drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113847. [PMID: 34555615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) has a well-established role in neuroprotection in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We have setup a drug discovery program of small-molecule compounds that act as chaperones enhancing TTR/Amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) interactions. A combination of computational drug repurposing approaches and in vitro biological assays have resulted in a set of molecules which were then screened with our in-house validated high-throughput screening ternary test. A prioritized list of chaperones was obtained and corroborated with ITC studies. Small-molecule chaperones have been discovered, among them our lead compound Iododiflunisal (IDIF), a molecule in the discovery phase; one investigational drug (luteolin); and 3 marketed drugs (sulindac, olsalazine and flufenamic), which could be directly repurposed or repositioned for clinical use. Not all TTR tetramer stabilizers behave as chaperones in vitro. These chemically diverse chaperones will be used for validating TTR as a target in vivo, and to select one repurposed drug as a candidate to enter clinical trials as AD disease-modifying drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Santos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Josep Rivas
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Blasi
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Pedro Leite
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Márcia A Liz
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Antònia Busquets
- Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, University of Barcelona, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Planas
- Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, E-08017, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Prohens
- Centres Científics i Tecnologics, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Gimeno
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, E-48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, E-48160, Derio, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luis Gales
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), E-20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Iakovleva I, Hall M, Oelker M, Sandblad L, Anan I, Sauer-Eriksson AE. Structural basis for transthyretin amyloid formation in vitreous body of the eye. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7141. [PMID: 34880242 PMCID: PMC8654999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27481-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of ATTR fibrils in multiple organs. However, the structure of ATTR fibrils from the eye is poorly understood. Here, we used cryo-EM to structurally characterize vitreous body ATTR fibrils. These structures were distinct from previously characterized heart fibrils, even though both have the same mutation and type A pathology. Differences were observed at several structural levels: in both the number and arrangement of protofilaments, and the conformation of the protein fibril in each layer of protofilaments. Thus, our results show that ATTR protein structure and its assembly into protofilaments in the type A fibrils can vary between patients carrying the same mutation. By analyzing and matching the interfaces between the amino acids in the ATTR fibril with those in the natively folded TTR, we are able to propose a mechanism for the structural conversion of TTR into a fibrillar form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Iakovleva
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Michael Hall
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Melanie Oelker
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Linda Sandblad
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Intissar Anan
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of SerpinA1 on the Modulation of Transthyretin Proteolysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179488. [PMID: 34502397 PMCID: PMC8430710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) proteolysis has been recognized as a complementary mechanism contributing to transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis). Accordingly, amyloid deposits can be composed mainly of full-length TTR or contain a mixture of both cleaved and full-length TTR, particularly in the heart. The fragmentation pattern at Lys48 suggests the involvement of a serine protease, such as plasmin. The most common TTR variant, TTR V30M, is susceptible to plasmin-mediated proteolysis, and the presence of TTR fragments facilitates TTR amyloidogenesis. Recent studies revealed that the serine protease inhibitor, SerpinA1, was differentially expressed in hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from ATTR patients. In this work, we evaluated the effects of SerpinA1 on in vitro and in vivo modulation of TTR V30M proteolysis, aggregation, and deposition. We found that plasmin-mediated TTR proteolysis and aggregation are partially inhibited by SerpinA1. Furthermore, in vivo downregulation of SerpinA1 increased TTR levels in mice plasma and deposition in the cardiac tissue of older animals. The presence of TTR fragments was observed in the heart of young and old mice but not in other tissues following SerpinA1 knockdown. Increased proteolytic activity, particularly plasmin activity, was detected in mice plasmas. Overall, our results indicate that SerpinA1 modulates TTR proteolysis and aggregation in vitro and in vivo.
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Gião T, Saavedra J, Vieira JR, Pinto MT, Arsequell G, Cardoso I. Neuroprotection in early stages of Alzheimer's disease is promoted by transthyretin angiogenic properties. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:143. [PMID: 34429155 PMCID: PMC8385857 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00883-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background While still controversial, it has been demonstrated that vascular defects can precede the onset of other AD hallmarks features, making it an important therapeutic target. Given that the protein transthyretin (TTR) has been established as neuroprotective in AD, here we investigated the influence of TTR in the vasculature. Methods We evaluated the thickness of the basement membrane and the length of brain microvessels, by immunohistochemistry, in AβPPswe/PS1A246E (AD) transgenic mice and non-transgenic mice (NT) bearing one (TTR+/−) or two (TTR+/+) copies of the TTR gene. The angiogenic potential of TTR was evaluated in vitro using the tube formation assay, and in vivo using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Results AD transgenic mice with TTR genetic reduction, AD/TTR+/−, exhibited a thicker BM in brain microvessels and decreased vessel length than animals with normal TTR levels, AD/TTR+/+. Further in vivo investigation, using the CAM assay, revealed that TTR is a pro-angiogenic molecule, and the neovessels formed are functional. Also, TTR increased the expression of key angiogenic molecules such as proteins interleukins 6 and 8, angiopoietin 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, by endothelial cells, in vitro, under tube formation conditions. We showed that while TTR reduction also leads to a thicker BM in NT mice, this effect is more pronounced in AD mice than in NT animals, strengthening the idea that TTR is a neuroprotective protein. We also studied the effect of TTR tetrameric stabilization on BM thickness, showing that AD mice treated with the TTR tetrameric stabilizer iododiflunisal (IDIF) displayed a significant reduction of BM thickness and increased vessel length, when compared to non-treated littermates. Conclusion Our in vivo results demonstrate the involvement of TTR in angiogenesis, particularly as a modulator of vascular alterations occurring in AD. Since TTR is decreased early in AD, its tetrameric stabilization can represent a therapeutic avenue for the early treatment of AD through the maintenance of the vascular structure. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-021-00883-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Gião
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Saavedra
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Ricardo Vieira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Teixeira Pinto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho,45-, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
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9
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Bezerra F, Saraiva MJ, Almeida MR. Modulation of the Mechanisms Driving Transthyretin Amyloidosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:592644. [PMID: 33362465 PMCID: PMC7759661 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.592644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidoses are systemic diseases associated with TTR aggregation and extracellular deposition in tissues as amyloid. The most frequent and severe forms of the disease are hereditary and associated with amino acid substitutions in the protein due to single point mutations in the TTR gene (ATTRv amyloidosis). However, the wild type TTR (TTR wt) has an intrinsic amyloidogenic potential that, in particular altered physiologic conditions and aging, leads to TTR aggregation in people over 80 years old being responsible for the non-hereditary ATTRwt amyloidosis. In normal physiologic conditions TTR wt occurs as a tetramer of identical subunits forming a central hydrophobic channel where small molecules can bind as is the case of the natural ligand thyroxine (T4). However, the TTR amyloidogenic variants present decreased stability, and in particular conditions, dissociate into partially misfolded monomers that aggregate and polymerize as amyloid fibrils. Therefore, therapeutic strategies for these amyloidoses may target different steps in the disease process such as decrease of variant TTR (TTRv) in plasma, stabilization of TTR, inhibition of TTR aggregation and polymerization or disruption of the preformed fibrils. While strategies aiming decrease of the mutated TTR involve mainly genetic approaches, either by liver transplant or the more recent technologies using specific oligonucleotides or silencing RNA, the other steps of the amyloidogenic cascade might be impaired by pharmacologic compounds, namely, TTR stabilizers, inhibitors of aggregation and amyloid disruptors. Modulation of different steps involved in the mechanism of ATTR amyloidosis and compounds proposed as pharmacologic agents to treat TTR amyloidosis will be reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Bezerra
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Molecular Biology, ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Saraiva
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Molecular Biology, ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Rosário Almeida
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Molecular Biology, ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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10
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Oligomerization Profile of Human Transthyretin Variants with Distinct Amyloidogenicity. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235698. [PMID: 33287192 PMCID: PMC7730986 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the molecular hallmarks of amyloidoses is ordered protein aggregation involving the initial formation of soluble protein oligomers that eventually grow into insoluble fibrils. The identification and characterization of molecular species critical for amyloid fibril formation and disease development have been the focus of intense analysis in the literature. Here, using photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins (PICUP), we studied the early stages of oligomerization of human transthyretin (TTR), a plasma protein involved in amyloid diseases (ATTR amyloidosis) with multiple clinical manifestations. Upon comparison, the oligomerization processes of wild-type TTR (TTRwt) and several TTR variants (TTRV30M, TTRL55P, and TTRT119M) clearly show distinct oligomerization kinetics for the amyloidogenic variants but a similar oligomerization mechanism. The oligomerization kinetics of the TTR amyloidogenic variants under analysis showed a good correlation with their amyloidogenic potential, with the most amyloidogenic variants aggregating faster (TTRL55P > TTRV30M > TTRwt). Moreover, the early stage oligomerization mechanism for these variants involves stepwise addition of monomeric units to the growing oligomer. A completely different behavior was observed for the nonamyloidogenic TTRT119M variant, which does not form oligomers in the same acidic conditions and even for longer incubation times. Thorough characterization of the initial steps of TTR oligomerization is critical for better understanding the origin of ATTR cytotoxicity and developing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis.
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11
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Dohrn MF, Auer-Grumbach M, Baron R, Birklein F, Escolano-Lozano F, Geber C, Grether N, Hagenacker T, Hund E, Sachau J, Schilling M, Schmidt J, Schulte-Mattler W, Sommer C, Weiler M, Wunderlich G, Hahn K. Chance or challenge, spoilt for choice? New recommendations on diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy: the German/Austrian position and review of the literature. J Neurol 2020; 268:3610-3625. [PMID: 32500375 PMCID: PMC8463516 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09962-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is caused by pathogenic variants (ATTRv) in the TTR gene. Alongside cardiac dysfunction, the disease typically manifests with a severely progressive sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy. Three different drugs, tafamidis, patisiran, and inotersen, are approved in several countries, including the European Union and the United States of America. By stabilizing the TTR protein or degrading its mRNA, all types of treatment aim at preventing amyloid deposition and stopping the otherwise fatal course. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to recognize both onset and progression of neuropathy as early as possible. To establish recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the follow-up of both pre-symptomatic mutation carriers and patients with manifest ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, German and Austrian experts elaborated a harmonized position. This paper is further based on a systematic review of the literature. Potential challenges in the early recognition of disease onset and progression are the clinical heterogeneity and the subjectivity of sensory and autonomic symptoms. Progression cannot be defined by a single test or score alone but has to be evaluated considering various disease aspects and their dynamics over time. The first-line therapy should be chosen based on individual symptom constellations and contra-indications. If symptoms worsen, this should promptly implicate to consider optimizing treatment. Due to the rareness and variability of ATTRv amyloidosis, the clinical course is most importantly directive in doubtful cases. Therefore, a systematic follow-up at an experienced center is crucial to identify progression and reassure patients and carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike F Dohrn
- Neuromuscular Outpatient Clinic, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Michaela Auer-Grumbach
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frank Birklein
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabiola Escolano-Lozano
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Geber
- Department of Neurology, Red Cross Pain Centre Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nicolai Grether
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ernst Hund
- Amyloidosis Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juliane Sachau
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Schilling
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital of Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Schulte-Mattler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Sommer
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Weiler
- Amyloidosis Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gilbert Wunderlich
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Department of Neurology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Rios X, Gómez-Vallejo V, Martín A, Cossío U, Morcillo MÁ, Alemi M, Cardoso I, Quintana J, Jiménez-Barbero J, Cotrina EY, Valencia G, Arsequell G, Llop J. Radiochemical examination of transthyretin (TTR) brain penetration assisted by iododiflunisal, a TTR tetramer stabilizer and a new candidate drug for AD. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13672. [PMID: 31541162 PMCID: PMC6754432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50071-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well settled that the amyloidogenic properties of the plasma protein transporter transthyretin (TTR) can be modulated by compounds that stabilize its native tetrameric conformation. TTR is also present in cerebrospinal fluid where it can bind to Aβ-peptides and prevent Aβ aggregation. We have previously shown that treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) model mice with iododiflunisal (IDIF), a TTR tetramer stabilizing compound, prevents AD pathologies. This evidence positioned IDIF as a new lead drug for AD. In dissecting the mechanism of action of IDIF, we disclose here different labeling strategies for the preparation of 131I-labeled IDIF and 131I- and 124I-labeled TTR, which have been further used for the preparation of IDIF-TTR complexes labeled either on the compound or the protein. The biodistribution of all labeled species after intravenous administration has been investigated in mice using ex vivo and in vivo techniques. Our results confirm the capacity of TTR to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and suggest that the formation of TTR-IDIF complexes enhances BBB permeability of both IDIF and TTR. The increased TTR and IDIF brain concentrations may result in higher Aβ-peptide sequestration capacity with the subsequent inhibition of AD symptoms as we have previously observed in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Rios
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group, CIC biomaGUNE, 20014, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Vanessa Gómez-Vallejo
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group, CIC biomaGUNE, 20014, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Abraham Martín
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940, Leioa, Spain.,Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Díaz de Haro 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Unai Cossío
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group, CIC biomaGUNE, 20014, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Morcillo
- Biomedical Applications of Radioisotopes and Pharmacokinetics Unit, CIEMAT, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mobina Alemi
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Díaz de Haro 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.,CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregorio Valencia
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Llop
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group, CIC biomaGUNE, 20014, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red- Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Delving into the amyloidogenic core of human leukocyte chemotactic factor 2. J Struct Biol 2019; 207:260-269. [PMID: 31170474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ALECT2 (leukocyte chemotactic factor 2) amyloidosis is one of the most recently identified amyloid-related diseases, with LECT2 amyloids commonly found in different types of tissues. Under physiological conditions, LECT2 is a 16 kDa multifunctional protein produced by the hepatocytes and secreted into circulation. The pathological mechanisms causing LECT2 transition into the amyloid state are still largely unknown. In the case of ALECT2 patients, there is no disease-causing mutation, yet almost all patients carry a common polymorphism that appears to be necessary but not sufficient to directly trigger amyloidogenesis. In this work, we followed a reductionist methodology in order to detect critical amyloidogenic "hot-spots" during the fibrillation of LECT2. By associating experimental and computational assays, this approach reveals the explicit amyloidogenic core of human LECT2 and pinpoints regions with distinct amyloidogenic properties. The fibrillar architecture of LECT2 polymers, based on our results, provides a wealth of detailed information about the amyloidogenic "hot-spot" interactions and represents a starting point for future peptide-driven intervention in ALECT2 amyloidosis.
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14
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Conservation of the Amyloid Interactome Across Diverse Fibrillar Structures. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3863. [PMID: 30846764 PMCID: PMC6405930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several human proteins cause disease by misfolding and aggregating into amyloid fibril deposits affecting the surrounding tissues. Multiple other proteins co-associate with the diseased deposits but little is known about how this association is influenced by the nature of the amyloid aggregate and the properties of the amyloid-forming protein. In this study, we investigated the co-aggregation of plasma and cerebrospinal proteins in the presence of pre-formed amyloid fibrils. We evaluated the fibril-associated proteome across multiple amyloid fibril types that differ in their amino acid sequences, ultrastructural morphologies, and recognition by amyloid-binding dyes. The fibril types included aggregates formed by Amyloid β, α-synuclein, and FAS4 that are associated with pathological disorders, and aggregates formed by the glucagon and C-36 peptides, currently not linked to any human disease. Our results highlighted a highly similar response to the amyloid fold within the body fluid of interest. Fibrils with diverse primary sequences and ultrastructural morphologies only differed slightly in the composition of the co-aggregated proteins but were clearly distinct from less fibrillar and amorphous aggregates. The type of body fluid greatly affected the resulting amyloid interactome, underlining the role of the in vivo environment. We conclude that protein fibrils lead to a specific response in protein co-aggregation and discuss the effects hereof in the context of amyloid deposition.
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15
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Huang D, Hudson BC, Gao Y, Roberts EK, Paravastu AK. Solid-State NMR Structural Characterization of Self-Assembled Peptides with Selective 13C and 15N Isotopic Labels. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1777:23-68. [PMID: 29744827 PMCID: PMC7490753 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7811-3_2] [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: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
For the structural characterization methods discussed here, information on molecular conformation and intermolecular organization within nanostructured peptide assemblies is discerned through analysis of solid-state NMR spectral features. This chapter reviews general NMR methodologies, requirements for sample preparation, and specific descriptions of key experiments. An attempt is made to explain choices of solid-state NMR experiments and interpretation of results in a way that is approachable to a nonspecialist. Measurements are designed to determine precise NMR peak positions and line widths, which are correlated with secondary structures, and probe nuclear spin-spin interactions that report on three-dimensional organization of atoms. The formulation of molecular structural models requires rationalization of data sets obtained from multiple NMR experiments on samples with carefully chosen 13C and 15N isotopic labels. The information content of solid-state NMR data has been illustrated mostly through the use of simulated data sets and references to recent structural work on amyloid fibril-forming peptides and designer self-assembling peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danting Huang
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin C Hudson
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Evan K Roberts
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anant K Paravastu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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16
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Kurouski D. Advances of Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) in bioanalytical chemistry. A review. Anal Chim Acta 2017; 990:54-66. [PMID: 29029743 PMCID: PMC10389559 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) is a unique and relatively new spectroscopic technique that is capable of determining an absolute configuration of chiral molecules. VCD can be also used to determine structure of large macromolecules. This review highlights the most recent advances of VCD in bioanalytical chemistry. It shows that VCD is capable of unraveling supramolecular organization of peptides, proteins, saccharides, glycerophospholipids, polypeptide microcrystals, as well as amyloid fibrils and DNA. This review also demonstrates how VCD can be utilized to explore molecule-molecule interactions that determine mechanisms of chiral separations in chromatography. It aims to attract attention of scientists from all different research areas demonstrating the strength and capability of this very powerful spectroscopic technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kurouski
- Department Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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17
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Saldaño TE, Zanotti G, Parisi G, Fernandez-Alberti S. Evaluating the effect of mutations and ligand binding on transthyretin homotetramer dynamics. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181019. [PMID: 28704493 PMCID: PMC5509292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Native transthyretin (TTR) homotetramer dissociation is the first step of the fibrils formation process in amyloid disease. A large number of specific point mutations that destabilize TTR quaternary structure have shown pro-amyloidogenic effects. Besides, several compounds have been proposed as drugs in the therapy of TTR amyloidosis due to their TTR tetramer binding affinities, and therefore, contribution to its integrity. In the present paper we have explored key positions sustaining TTR tetramer dynamical stability. We have identified positions whose mutations alter the most the TTR tetramer equilibrium dynamics based on normal mode analysis and their response to local perturbations. We have found that these positions are mostly localized at β-strands E and F and EF-loop. The monomer-monomer interface is pointed out as one of the most vulnerable regions to mutations that lead to significant changes in the TTR-tetramer equilibrium dynamics and, therefore, induces TTR amyloidosis. Besides, we have found that mutations on residues localized at the dimer-dimer interface and/or at the T4 hormone binding site destabilize the tetramer more than the average. Finally, we were able to compare several compounds according to their effect on vibrations associated to the ligand binding. Our ligand comparison is discussed and analyzed in terms of parameters and measurements associated to TTR-ligand binding affinities and the stabilization of its native state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Zanotti
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Gustavo Parisi
- Universidad Nacional de Quilmes/CONICET, Bernal, Argentina
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18
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Pires RH, Saraiva MJ, Damas AM, Kellermayer MSZ. Force spectroscopy reveals the presence of structurally modified dimers in transthyretin amyloid annular oligomers. J Mol Recognit 2016; 30. [PMID: 27808434 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxicity in amyloidogenic protein misfolding disorders is thought to involve intermediate states of aggregation associated with the formation of amyloid fibrils. Despite their relevance, the heterogeneity and transience of these oligomers have placed great barriers in our understanding of their structural properties. Among amyloid intermediates, annular oligomers or annular protofibrils have raised considerable interest because they may contribute to a mechanism of cellular toxicity via membrane permeation. Here we investigated, by using AFM force spectroscopy, the structural detail of amyloid annular oligomers from transthyretin (TTR), a protein involved in systemic and neurodegenerative amyloidogenic disorders. Manipulation was performed in situ, in the absence of molecular handles and using persistence length-fit values to select relevant curves. Force curves reveal the presence of dimers in TTR annular oligomers that unfold via a series of structural intermediates. This is in contrast with the manipulation of native TTR that was more often manipulated over length scales compatible with a TTR monomer and without unfolding intermediates. Imaging and force spectroscopy data suggest that dimers are formed by the assembly of monomers in a head-to-head orientation with a nonnative interface along their β-strands. Furthermore, these dimers stack through nonnative contacts that may enhance the stability of the misfolded structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo H Pires
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Saraiva
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M Damas
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miklós S Z Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-SE Molecular Biophysics Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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19
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pH Induced Conformational Transitions in the Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Protein (TGFβIp) Associated Corneal Dystrophy Mutants. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23836. [PMID: 27030015 PMCID: PMC4814907 DOI: 10.1038/srep23836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Most stromal corneal dystrophies are associated with aggregation and deposition of the mutated transforming growth factor-β induced protein (TGFβIp). The 4th_FAS1 domain of TGFβIp harbors ~80% of the mutations that forms amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic aggregates. To understand the mechanism of aggregation and the differences between the amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic phenotypes, we expressed the 4th_FAS1 domains of TGFβIp carrying the mutations R555W (non-amyloidogenic) and H572R (amyloidogenic) along with the wild-type (WT). R555W was more susceptible to acidic pH compared to H572R and displayed varying chemical stabilities with decreasing pH. Thermal denaturation studies at acidic pH showed that while WT did not undergo any conformational transition, the mutants exhibited a clear pH-dependent irreversible conversion from αβ conformation to β-sheet oligomers. The β-oligomers of both mutants were stable at physiological temperature and pH. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies showed that β-oligomers of H572R were larger compared to R555W. The β-oligomers of both mutants were cytotoxic to primary human corneal stromal fibroblast (pHCSF) cells. The β-oligomers of both mutants exhibit variations in their morphologies, sizes, thermal and chemical stabilities, aggregation patterns and cytotoxicities.
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20
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Leung A, Murphy GJ. Multisystemic Disease Modeling of Liver-Derived Protein Folding Disorders Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1353:261-270. [PMID: 25646614 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2014_194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Familial transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is an autosomal dominant protein-folding disorder caused by over 100 distinct mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. In ATTR, protein secreted from the liver aggregates and forms fibrils in target organs, chiefly the heart and peripheral nervous system, highlighting the need for a model capable of recapitulating the multisystem complexity of this clinically variable disease. Here, we describe detailed methodologies for the directed differentiation of protein folding disease-specific iPSCs into hepatocytes that produce mutant protein, and neural-lineage cells often targeted in disease. Methodologies are also described for the construction of multisystem models and drug screening using iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Leung
- School of Medicine and the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George J Murphy
- School of Medicine and the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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21
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Iakovleva I, Brännström K, Nilsson L, Gharibyan AL, Begum A, Anan I, Walfridsson M, Sauer-Eriksson AE, Olofsson A. Enthalpic Forces Correlate with the Selectivity of Transthyretin-Stabilizing Ligands in Human Plasma. J Med Chem 2015. [PMID: 26214366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) is linked to human amyloidosis. Dissociation of its native tetrameric assembly is a rate-limiting step in the conversion from a native structure into a pathological amyloidogenic fold. Binding of small molecule ligands within the thyroxine binding site of TTR can stabilize the tetrameric integrity and is a potential therapeutic approach. However, through the characterization of nine different tetramer-stabilizing ligands we found that unspecific binding to plasma components might significantly compromise ligand efficacy. Surprisingly the binding strength between a particular ligand and TTR does not correlate well with its selectivity in plasma. However, through analysis of the thermodynamic signature using isothermal titration calorimetry we discovered a better correlation between selectivity and the enthalpic component of the interaction. This is of specific interest in the quest for more efficient TTR stabilizers, but a high selectivity is an almost universally desired feature within drug design and the finding might have wide-ranging implications for drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Iakovleva
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kristoffer Brännström
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lina Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna L Gharibyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Afshan Begum
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Intissar Anan
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Malin Walfridsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Anders Olofsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University , 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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22
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Groenning M, Campos RI, Hirschberg D, Hammarström P, Vestergaard B. Considerably Unfolded Transthyretin Monomers Preceed and Exchange with Dynamically Structured Amyloid Protofibrils. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11443. [PMID: 26108284 PMCID: PMC4480009 DOI: 10.1038/srep11443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous studies, a detailed description of the transthyretin (TTR) self-assembly mechanism and fibril structure in TTR amyloidoses remains unresolved. Here, using a combination of primarily small -angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry (HXMS) analysis, we describe an unexpectedly dynamic TTR protofibril structure which exchanges protomers with highly unfolded monomers in solution. The protofibrils only grow to an approximate final size of 2,900 kDa and a length of 70 nm and a comparative HXMS analysis of native and aggregated samples revealed a much higher average solvent exposure of TTR upon fibrillation. With SAXS, we reveal the continuous presence of a considerably unfolded TTR monomer throughout the fibrillation process, and show that a considerable fraction of the fibrillating protein remains in solution even at a late maturation state. Together, these data reveal that the fibrillar state interchanges with the solution state. Accordingly, we suggest that TTR fibrillation proceeds via addition of considerably unfolded monomers, and the continuous presence of amyloidogenic structures near the protofibril surface offers a plausible explanation for secondary nucleation. We argue that the presence of such dynamic structural equilibria must impact future therapeutic development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Groenning
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- IFM – Department of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Raul I. Campos
- IFM – Department of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Hirschberg
- IFM – Department of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Hammarström
- IFM – Department of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Bente Vestergaard
- Department of Pharmacy and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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23
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Reynolds NP, Charnley M, Bongiovanni MN, Hartley PG, Gras SL. Biomimetic Topography and Chemistry Control Cell Attachment to Amyloid Fibrils. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:1556-65. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Reynolds
- Manufacturing
Flagship, CSIRO, Bayview Avenue, Clayton, Victoria 3169, Australia
| | | | - Marie N. Bongiovanni
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Hartley
- Energy
Flagship, CSIRO, Private Bag 10, Bayview Avenue, Clayton, Victoria 3169, Australia
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24
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Robinson LZ, Reixach N. Quantification of quaternary structure stability in aggregation-prone proteins under physiological conditions: the transthyretin case. Biochemistry 2014; 53:6496-510. [PMID: 25245430 PMCID: PMC4204887 DOI: 10.1021/bi500739q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The quaternary structure stability
of proteins is typically studied
under conditions that accelerate their aggregation/unfolding processes
on convenient laboratory time scales. Such conditions include high
temperature or pressure, chaotrope-mediated unfolding, or low or high
pH. These approaches have the limitation of being nonphysiological
and that the concentration of the protein in solution is changing
as the reactions proceed. We describe a methodology to define the
quaternary structure stability of the amyloidogenic homotetrameric
protein transthyretin (TTR) under physiological conditions. This methodology
expands from a described approach based on the measurement of the
rate of subunit exchange of TTR with a tandem flag-tagged (FT2) TTR counterpart. We demonstrate that subunit exchange of
TTR with FT2·TTR can be analyzed and quantified using
a semi-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. In addition,
we biophysically characterized two FT2·TTR variants
derived from wild-type and the amyloidogenic variant Val122Ile TTR,
both of which are associated with cardiac amyloid deposition late
in life. The FT2·TTR variants have similar amyloidogenic
potential and similar thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities compared
to those of their nontagged counterparts. We utilized the methodology
to study the potential of the small molecule SOM0226, a repurposed
drug under clinical development for the prevention and treatment of
the TTR amyloidoses, to stabilize TTR. The results enabled us to characterize
the binding energetics of SOM0226 to TTR. The described technique
is well-suited to study the quaternary structure of other human aggregation-prone
proteins under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Z Robinson
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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25
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Surface characterization of insulin protofilaments and fibril polymorphs using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). Biophys J 2014; 106:263-71. [PMID: 24411258 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are β-sheet-rich protein aggregates that are strongly associated with a variety of neurodegenerative maladies, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Even if the secondary structure of such fibrils is well characterized, a thorough understanding of their surface organization still remains elusive. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is one of a few techniques that allow the direct characterization of the amino acid composition and the protein secondary structure of the amyloid fibril surface. Herein, we investigated the surfaces of two insulin fibril polymorphs with flat (flat) and left-twisted (twisted) morphology. It was found that the two differ substantially in both amino acid composition and protein secondary structure. For example, the amounts of Tyr, Pro, and His differ, as does the number of carboxyl groups on the respective surfaces, whereas the amounts of Phe and of positively charged amino and imino groups remain similar. In addition, the surface of protofilaments, the precursors of the mature flat and twisted fibrils, was investigated using TERS. The results show substantial differences with respect to the mature fibrils. A correlation of amino acid frequencies and protein secondary structures on the surface of protofilaments and on flat and twisted fibrils allowed us to propose a hypothetical mechanism for the propagation to specific fibril polymorphs. This knowledge can shed a light on the toxicity of amyloids and define the key factors responsible for fibril polymorphism. Finally, this work demonstrates the potential of TERS for the surface characterization of amyloid fibril polymorphs.
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26
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Aso Y, Shiraki K, Takagi M. Systematic Analysis of Aggregates from 38 Kinds of Non Disease-Related Proteins: Identifying the Intrinsic Propensity of Polypeptides to Form Amyloid Fibrils. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 71:1313-21. [PMID: 17485839 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.60718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The ability to form amyloid fibrils from a wide range of proteins would open up the opportunity to augment studies of the molecular basis of amyloid fibril formation. We investigated 36 different conditions with respect to four model proteins to evaluate their ability to form amyloid fibrils. In a 5% ethanol solution at pH 2 at 57 degrees C, hen egg white lysozyme, bovine beta-lactoglobulin, and bovine trypsinogen formed mature-type fibrils, while only histone H2A formed immature-type fibrils. Under these conditions, 25 of the 38 proteins formed amyloid fibrils. In addition, three additional proteins formed fibrils in a solution containing 5% trifluoroethanol instead of 5% ethanol. In summary, a total 28 proteins formed amyloid fibrils. Under these extreme conditions, chemical fragmentation was observed. Destabilization of the native structure, strengthening of hydrogen bonds, and chemical fragmentation are thought to play important roles in the formation of amyloid fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikazu Aso
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
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27
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Yang DT, Lu X, Fan Y, Murphy RM. Evaluation of Nanoparticle Tracking for Characterization of Fibrillar Protein Aggregates. AIChE J 2014; 60:1236-1244. [PMID: 25843955 DOI: 10.1002/aic.14349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidogenesis is the process of formation of protein aggregates with fibrillar morphology. Because amyloidogenesis is linked to neurodegenerative disease, there is interest in understanding the mechanism of fibril growth. Kinetic models of amyloidogenesis require data on the number concentration and size distribution of aggregates, but this information is difficult to obtain using conventional methods. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) is a relatively new technique that may be uniquely suited for obtaining these data. In NTA, the two-dimensional (2-D) trajectory of individual particles is tracked, from which the diffusion coefficient, and, hence, hydrodynamic radius is obtained. Here we examine the validity of NTA in tracking number concentration and size of DNA, as a model of a fibrillar macromolecule. We use NTA to examine three amyloidogenic materials: beta-amyloid, transthyretin, and polyglutamine-containing peptides. Our results are instructive in demonstrating the advantages and some limitations of single-particle diffusion measurements for investigating aggregation in protein systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis T. Yang
- Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering; University of Wisconsin; Madison WI 53706
| | - Xiaomeng Lu
- Biophysics Program; University of Wisconsin; Madison WI 53706
| | - Yamin Fan
- Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou Zhejiang P.R. China
| | - Regina M. Murphy
- Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering; University of Wisconsin; Madison WI 53706
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28
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Bhushan B, Luo D, Schricker SR, Sigmund W, Zauscher S. Hierarchical Self-Assembled Peptide Nano-ensembles. HANDBOOK OF NANOMATERIALS PROPERTIES 2014. [PMCID: PMC7123264 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-31107-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A variety of peptides can be self-assembled, i.e. self-organized spontaneously, into large and complex hierarchical structures, reproducibly by regulating a range of parameters that can be environment driven, process driven, or peptide driven. These supramolecular peptide aggregates yield different shapes and structures like nanofibers, nanotubes, nanobelts, nanowires, nanotapes, and micelles. These peptide nanostructures represent a category of materials that bridge biotechnology and nanotechnology and are found suitable not only for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery but also in nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Bhushan
- Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology and Biomimetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York USA
| | - Scott R. Schricker
- Division of Restorative, Prosthetic and Primary Care, The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Wolfgang Sigmund
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA
| | - Stefan Zauscher
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina USA
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29
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Kurouski D, Lu X, Popova L, Wan W, Shanmugasundaram M, Stubbs G, Dukor RK, Lednev IK, Nafie LA. Is supramolecular filament chirality the underlying cause of major morphology differences in amyloid fibrils? J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:2302-12. [PMID: 24484302 PMCID: PMC3968177 DOI: 10.1021/ja407583r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The unique enhanced
sensitivity of vibrational circular dichroism
(VCD) to the formation and development of amyloid fibrils in solution
is extended to four additional fibril-forming proteins or peptides
where it is shown that the sign of the fibril VCD pattern correlates
with the sense of supramolecular filament chirality and, without exception,
to the dominant fibril morphology as observed in AFM or SEM images.
Previously for insulin, it has been demonstrated that the sign of
the VCD band pattern from filament chirality can be controlled by
adjusting the pH of the incubating solution, above pH 2 for “normal”
left-hand-helical filaments and below pH 2 for “reversed”
right-hand-helical filaments. From AFM or SEM images, left-helical
filaments form multifilament braids of left-twisted fibrils while
the right-helical filaments form parallel filament rows of fibrils
with a flat tape-like morphology, the two major classes of fibril
morphology that from deep UV resonance Raman scattering exhibit the
same cross-β-core secondary structure. Here we investigate whether
fibril supramolecular chirality is the underlying cause of the major
morphology differences in all amyloid fibrils by showing that the
morphology (twisted versus flat) of fibrils of lysozyme, apo-α-lactalbumin,
HET-s (218–289) prion, and a short polypeptide fragment of
transthyretin, TTR (105–115), directly correlates to their
supramolecular chirality as revealed by VCD. The result is strong
evidence that the chiral supramolecular organization of filaments
is the principal underlying cause of the morphological heterogeneity
of amyloid fibrils. Because fibril morphology is linked to cell toxicity,
the chirality of amyloid aggregates should be explored in the widely
used in vitro models of amyloid-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kurouski
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York , 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
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30
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Dohrn MF, Röcken C, De Bleecker JL, Martin JJ, Vorgerd M, Van den Bergh PY, Ferbert A, Hinderhofer K, Schröder JM, Weis J, Schulz JB, Claeys KG. Diagnostic hallmarks and pitfalls in late-onset progressive transthyretin-related amyloid-neuropathy. J Neurol 2013; 260:3093-108. [PMID: 24101130 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-013-7124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a progressive systemic autosomal dominant disease caused by pathogenic mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. We studied clinical, electrophysiological, histopathological, and genetic characteristics in 15 (13 late-onset and two early-onset) patients belonging to 14 families with polyneuropathy and mutations in TTR. In comparison, we analysed the features of nine unrelated patients with an idiopathic polyneuropathy, in whom TTR mutations have been excluded. Disease occurrence was familial in 36 % of the patients with TTR-associated polyneuropathy and the late-onset type was observed in 86 % (mean age at onset 65.5 years). Clinically, all late-onset TTR-mutant patients presented with distal weakness, pansensory loss, absence of deep tendon reflexes, and sensorimotor hand involvement. Afferent-ataxic gait was present in 92 % leading to wheelchair dependence in 60 % after a mean duration of 4.6 years. Autonomic involvement was observed in 60 %, and ankle edema in 92 %. The sensorimotor polyneuropathy was from an axonal type in 82 %, demyelinating or mixed type in 9 % each. Compared to the TTR-unmutated idiopathic polyneuropathy patients, we identified rapid progression, early ambulatory loss, and autonomic disturbances, associated with a severe polyneuropathy as red flags for TTR-FAP. In 18 % of the late-onset TTR-FAP patients, no amyloid was found in nerve biopsies. Further diagnostic pitfalls were unspecific electrophysiology, and coincident diabetes mellitus (23 %) or monoclonal gammopathy (7 %). We conclude that a rapid disease course, severely ataxic gait, hand involvement, and autonomic dysfunction are diagnostic hallmarks of late-onset TTR-FAP. Genetic analysis should be performed even when amyloid deposits are lacking or when polyneuropathy-causing comorbidities are concomitant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike F Dohrn
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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31
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Levels of supramolecular chirality of polyglutamine aggregates revealed by vibrational circular dichroism. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:1638-43. [PMID: 23583713 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (PolyQ) aggregates are a hallmark of several severe neurodegenerative diseases, expanded CAG-repeat diseases in which inheritance of an expanded polyQ sequence above a pathological threshold is associated with a high risk of disease. Application of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) reveals that these PolyQ fibril aggregates exhibit a chiral supramolecular organization that is distinct from the supramolecular organization of previously observed amyloid fibrils. PolyQ fibrils grown from monomers with Q repeats 35 and above (Q≥35) exhibit approximately 10-fold enhancement of the same VCD spectrum compared to the already enhanced VCD of fibrils formed from Q repeats 30 and below (Q≤30).
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32
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Pires RH, Karsai Á, Saraiva MJ, Damas AM, Kellermayer MSZ. Distinct annular oligomers captured along the assembly and disassembly pathways of transthyretin amyloid protofibrils. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44992. [PMID: 22984597 PMCID: PMC3440338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Defects in protein folding may lead to severe degenerative diseases characterized by the appearance of amyloid fibril deposits. Cytotoxicity in amyloidoses has been linked to poration of the cell membrane that may involve interactions with amyloid intermediates of annular shape. Although annular oligomers have been detected in many amyloidogenic systems, their universality, function and molecular mechanisms of appearance are debated. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated with high-resolution in situ atomic force microscopy the assembly and disassembly of transthyretin (TTR) amyloid protofibrils formed of the native protein by pH shift. Annular oligomers were the first morphologically distinct intermediates observed in the TTR aggregation pathway. Morphological analysis suggests that they can assemble into a double-stack of octameric rings with a 16±2 nm diameter, and displaying the tendency to form linear structures. According to light scattering data coupled to AFM imaging, annular oligomers appeared to undergo a collapse type of structural transition into spheroid oligomers containing 8–16 monomers. Disassembly of TTR amyloid protofibrils also resulted in the rapid appearance of annular oligomers but with a morphology quite distinct from that observed in the assembly pathway. Conclusions/Significance Our observations indicate that annular oligomers are key dynamic intermediates not only in the assembly but also in the disassembly of TTR protofibrils. The balance between annular and more compact forms of aggregation could be relevant for cytotoxicity in amyloidogenic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo H. Pires
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail: (RHP); (AMD); (MSZK)
| | - Árpád Karsai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Maria J. Saraiva
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Damas
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail: (RHP); (AMD); (MSZK)
| | - Miklós S. Z. Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail: (RHP); (AMD); (MSZK)
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33
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Ferreira N, Saraiva MJ, Almeida MR. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a potential therapeutic drug for TTR-related amyloidosis: "in vivo" evidence from FAP mice models. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29933. [PMID: 22253829 PMCID: PMC3254632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the extracellular deposition of mutant transthyretin (TTR), with special involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Currently, hepatic transplantation is considered the most efficient therapy to halt the progression of clinical symptoms in FAP since more than 95% of TTR is produced by the liver. However, less invasive and more reliable therapeutic approaches have been proposed for FAP therapy, namely based on drugs acting as inhibitors of amyloid formation or as amyloid disruptors. We have recently reported that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea, is able to inhibit TTR aggregation and fibril formation, "in vitro" and in a cellular system, and is also able to disrupt pre-formed amyloid fibrils "in vitro". METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study, we assessed the effect of EGCG subchronic administration on TTR amyloidogenesis "in vivo", using well characterized animal models for FAP. Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry (SQ-IHC) and Western blot analysis of mice tissues after treatment demonstrated that EGCG inhibits TTR toxic aggregates deposition in about 50% along the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Moreover EGCG treatment considerably lowered levels of several biomarkers associated with non-fibrillar TTR deposition, namely endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress, protein oxidation and apoptosis markers. Treatment of old FAP mice with EGCG resulted not only in the decrease of non-fibrillar TTR deposition but also in disaggregation of amyloid deposits. Consistently, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and serum amyloid P component (SAP), both markers of amyloid deposition, were also found reduced in treated old FAP mice. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE The dual effect of EGCG both as TTR aggregation inhibitor and amyloid fibril disruptor together with the high tolerability and low toxicity of EGCG in humans, point towards the potential use of this compound, or optimized derivatives, in the treatment of TTR-related amyloidoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Ferreira
- Grupo de Neurobiologia Molecular, IBMC – Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Saraiva
- Grupo de Neurobiologia Molecular, IBMC – Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Rosário Almeida
- Grupo de Neurobiologia Molecular, IBMC – Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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34
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Abstract
There has been much progress in our understanding of transthyretin (TTR)-related amyloidosis including familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), senile systemic amyloidosis and its related disorders from many clinical and experimental aspects. FAP is an inherited severe systemic amyloidosis caused by mutated TTR, and characterized by amyloid deposition mainly in the peripheral nervous system and the heart. Liver transplantation is the only available treatment for the disease. FAP is now recognized not to be a rare disease, and to have many variations based on genetical and biochemical variations of TTR. This chapter covers the recent advances in the clinical and pathological aspects of, and therapeutic approaches to FAP, and the trend as to the molecular pathogenesis of TTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamura Nagasaka
- Department of Neurology, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, 409-3898, Chuou-city, Yamanashi, Japan,
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35
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Clusterin Overexpression and Its Possible Protective Role in Transthyretin Deposition in Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2011; 70:1097-106. [DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e31823a44f4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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36
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Bateman DA, Tycko R, Wickner RB. Experimentally derived structural constraints for amyloid fibrils of wild-type transthyretin. Biophys J 2011; 101:2485-92. [PMID: 22098747 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Revised: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a largely β-sheet serum protein responsible for transporting thyroxine and vitamin A. TTR is found in amyloid deposits of patients with senile systemic amyloidosis. TTR mutants lead to familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and familial amyloid cardiomyopathy, with an earlier age of onset. Studies of amyloid fibrils of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy mutant TTR suggest a structure similar to the native state with only a simple opening of a β-strand-loop-strand region exposing the two main β-sheets of the protein for fibril elongation. However, we find that the wild-type TTR sequence forms amyloid fibrils that are considerably different from the previously suggested amyloid structure. Using protease digestion with mass spectrometry, we observe the amyloid core to be primarily composed of the C-terminal region, starting around residue 50. Solid-state NMR measurements prove that TTR differs from other pathological amyloids in not having an in-register parallel β-sheet architecture. We also find that the TTR amyloid is incapable of binding thyroxine as monitored by either isothermal calorimetry or 1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate competition. Taken together, our experiments are consistent with a significantly different configuration of the β-sheets compared to the previously suggested structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Bateman
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland, USA
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37
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Pires RH, Saraiva MJ, Damas AM, Kellermayer MSZ. Structure and assembly-disassembly properties of wild-type transthyretin amyloid protofibrils observed with atomic force microscopy. J Mol Recognit 2011; 24:467-76. [PMID: 21504025 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.1112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is an important human transport protein present in the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. Aggregation of TTR in the form of amyloid fibrils is associated with neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms of cytotoxicity are likely to stem from the presence of intermediate assembly states. Characterization of these intermediate species is therefore essential to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of TTR-related amyloidoses. In the present work we used atomic force microscopy to investigate the morphological features of wild-type (WT) TTR amyloid protofibrils that appear in the early stages of aggregation. TTR protofibrils obtained by mild acidification appeared as flexible filaments with variable length and were able to bind amyloid markers (thioflavin T and Congo red). Surface topology and contour-length distribution displayed a periodic pattern of ∼ 15 nm, suggesting that the protofibrils assemble via an end-binding oligomer fusion mechanism. The average height and periodic substructure found in protofibrils is compatible with the double-helical model of the TTR amyloid protofilament. Over time protofibrils aggregated into bundles and did not form mature amyloid-like fibrils. Unlike amyloid fibrils that are typically stable under physiological conditions, the bundles dissociated into component protofibrils with axially compacted and radially dilated structure when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline solution. Thus, WT TTR can form metastable filamentous aggregates that may represent an important transient state along the pathway towards the formation of cytotoxic TTR species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo H Pires
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, Budapest IX, H1094 Hungary.
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38
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Carvedilol treatment reduces transthyretin deposition in a familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy mouse model. Pharmacol Res 2010; 62:514-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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39
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Goldsbury C, Baxa U, Simon MN, Steven AC, Engel A, Wall JS, Aebi U, Müller SA. Amyloid structure and assembly: insights from scanning transmission electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2010; 173:1-13. [PMID: 20868754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2010.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are filamentous protein aggregates implicated in several common diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and type II diabetes. Similar structures are also the molecular principle of the infectious spongiform encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, scrapie in sheep, and of the so-called yeast prions, inherited non-chromosomal elements found in yeast and fungi. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is often used to delineate the assembly mechanism and structural properties of amyloid aggregates. In this review we consider specifically contributions and limitations of STEM for the investigation of amyloid assembly pathways, fibril polymorphisms and structural models of amyloid fibrils. This type of microscopy provides the only method to directly measure the mass-per-length (MPL) of individual filaments. Made on both in vitro assembled and ex vivo samples, STEM mass measurements have illuminated the hierarchical relationships between amyloid fibrils and revealed that polymorphic fibrils and various globular oligomers can assemble simultaneously from a single polypeptide. The MPLs also impose strong constraints on possible packing schemes, assisting in molecular model building when combined with high-resolution methods like solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Goldsbury
- The Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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40
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Magalhães J, Santos SD, Saraiva MJ. αB-crystallin (HspB5) in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Int J Exp Pathol 2010; 91:515-21. [PMID: 20804537 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2010.00735.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The small heat shock protein αB-crystallin (HspB5) is known to be overexpressed in several neurodegenerative disorders. In familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of mutated transthyretin (TTR), activation of heat shock factor 1 -HSF1- by extracellular TTR deposition has been shown as well as induction of the expression of heat shock proteins, HSP27 and HSP70. Here we investigate the expression of αB-crystallin in FAP. We first detected αB-crystallin in aggregates extracted from tissues of both FAP patients and transgenic mice for the human V30M mutant TTR; however, subsequent studies by confocal fluorescence microscopy did not confirm the association of αB-crystallin with TTR aggregates; thus the presence of αB-crystallin in aggregate extracts might derive from the extraction procedure. Increased levels of αB-crystallin were observed by immunohistochemistry in human FAP skin, as compared to normal skin. Furthermore, skin, stomach and dorsal root ganglia from V30M transgenic mice showed increased expression of αB-crystallin as compared to controls without deposition. A human neuroblastoma cell line incubated with TTR aggregates displayed increased expression of αB-crystallin. Overall, these results show that extracellular TTR deposits induce an intracellular response of αB-crystallin. This small heat shock protein (HSP), which is important for anti-apoptotic and chaperone properties, may have a protective role in FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Magalhães
- IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
Amyloidosis comprises a group of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrillar proteins. This mechanism generates different clinical syndromes depending on the site and extent of organ involvement. Amyloidosis is classified into categories of systemic and localized disease. Systemic amyloidosis is further subdivided into a hereditary familial form (for example, ATTR amyloidosis), a reactive form (AA amyloidosis), dialysis-related (Abeta(2)M) amyloidosis and immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Treatment can be symptomatic, directed at the affected organ, or can be directed at reducing the production of the abnormal proteins with different strategies. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis is still poor and depends on the underlying disease as well as the type and degree of dysfunction in involved organs. Early diagnosis is essential because patients with advanced disease are generally unable to undergo intensive therapy. Patients with systemic amyloidosis often present to a rheumatologist not only because the disease can include musculoskeletal and articular symptoms but also because it can be associated with chronic rheumatic diseases. This Review discusses the clinical features of amyloidosis and its rheumatic manifestations. The various types of amyloidosis, as well their prognosis and treatment, are also presented.
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l-Arginine reduces thioflavin T fluorescence but not fibrillation of bovine serum albumin. Amino Acids 2010; 39:821-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0536-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2009] [Accepted: 02/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Transthyretin: More than meets the eye. Prog Neurobiol 2009; 89:266-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2009.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Revised: 07/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Binding of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to transthyretin modulates its amyloidogenicity. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:3569-76. [PMID: 19861125 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
More than 100 transthyretin (TTR) variants are associated with hereditary amyloidosis. Approaches for TTR amyloidosis that interfere with any step of the cascade of events leading to fibril formation have therapeutic potential. In this study we tested (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin of green tea, as an inhibitor of TTR amyloid formation. We demonstrate that EGCG binds to TTR "in vitro" and "ex vivo" and that EGCG inhibits TTR aggregation "in vitro" and in a cell culture system. These findings together with the low toxicity of the compound raise the possibility of using EGCG in a therapeutic approach for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, the most frequent form of hereditary TTR amyloidosis.
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Liang Y, Jasbi SZ, Haftchenary S, Morin S, Wilson DJ. Binding interactions in early- and late-stage amyloid aggregates of TTR(105–115). Biophys Chem 2009; 144:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2009.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 05/13/2009] [Accepted: 05/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Pullakhandam R, Srinivas PNBS, Nair MK, Reddy GB. Binding and stabilization of transthyretin by curcumin. Arch Biochem Biophys 2009; 485:115-9. [PMID: 19268650 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2009.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2008] [Revised: 02/01/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Biophysical evidences suggest that transthyretin (TTR) tetramer dissociation to the monomeric intermediate and subsequent polymerization leads to amyloid fibril formation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA). Hence, inhibition of fibril formation is considered a potential therapeutic strategy. Here in we demonstrate that curcumin, a phenolic constituent of curry spice turmeric, binds to the active site of TTR through fluorescence quenching and ANS displacement studies. Binding of curcumin appears to inhibit the denaturant induced tertiary and quaternary structural changes in TTR as monitored by intrinsic emission fluorescence and glutaraldehyde cross-linking studies. However, curcumin did not bind to TTR at acidic pH. Protonation/ isomerization of the side chain oxygen atoms of curcumin at low pH might hamper the binding. These results suggest that curcumin binds to and stabilizes TTR thereby highlight the importance of the side chain conformations of the ligand in binding to TTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Pullakhandam
- National Institute of Nutrition, Jamai Osmania, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500604, India
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Lundberg E, Olofsson A, Westermark GT, Sauer-Eriksson AE. Stability and fibril formation properties of human and fish transthyretin, and of the Escherichia coli transthyretin-related protein. FEBS J 2009; 276:1999-2011. [PMID: 19250316 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.06936.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human transthyretin (hTTR) is one of several proteins known to cause amyloid disease. Conformational changes in its native structure result in aggregation of the protein, leading to insoluble amyloid fibrils. The transthyretin (TTR)-related proteins comprise a protein family of 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolases with structural similarity to TTR. In this study, we tested the amyloidogenic properties, if any, of sea bream TTR (sbTTR) and Escherichia coli transthyretin-related protein (ecTRP), which share 52% and 30% sequence identity, respectively, with hTTR. We obtained filamentous structures from all three proteins under various conditions, but, interestingly, different structures displayed different tinctorial properties. hTTR and sbTTR formed thin, curved fibrils at low pH (pH 2-3) that bound thioflavin-T (thioflavin-T-positive) but did not stain with Congo Red (CR) (CR-negative). Aggregates formed at the slightly higher pH of 4.0-5.5 had different morphology, displaying predominantly amorphous structures. CR-positive material of hTTR was found in this material, in agreement with previous results. ecTRP remained soluble at pH 2-12 at ambient temperatures. By raising of the temperature, fibril formation could be induced at neutral pH in all three proteins. Most of these temperature-induced fibrils were thicker and straighter than the in vitro fibrils seen at low pH. In other words, the temperature-induced fibrils were more similar to fibrils seen in vivo. The melting temperature of ecTRP was 66.7 degrees C. This is approximately 30 degrees C lower than the melting temperatures of sbTTR and hTTR. Information from the crystal structures was used to identify possible explanations for the reduced thermostability of ecTRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Lundberg
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Park JW, Park ES, Choi EN, Park HY, Jung SC. Altered brain gene expression profiles associated with the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria in a mouse model. Clin Chim Acta 2008; 401:90-9. [PMID: 19073163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2008.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Revised: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 11/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), which catalyzes the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine. The resultant hyperphenylalaninemia causes mental retardation, seizure, and abnormalities in behavior and movement. METHODS We analyzed gene expression profiles in brain tissues of Pah(enu2) mice to elucidate the mechanisms involved in phenylalanine-induced neurological damage. The altered gene expression was confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. To identify markers associated with neurological damage, we examined TTR expression in serum by Western blotting. RESULTS Gene expression profiling of brain tissue from a mouse model of PKU revealed overexpression of transthyretin (Ttr), sclerostin domain containing 1 (Sostdc1), alpha-Klotho (Kl), prolactin receptor (Prlr), and early growth response 2 (Egr2). In contrast to its overexpression in the brain, TTR expression was low in the sera of PKU mice offered unrestricted access to a diet containing phenylalanine. Expression of TTR decreased in a time-dependent manner in phenylalanine-treated HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that Ttr, Sostdc1, Kl, Prlr, and Egr2 can be involved in the pathogenesis of PKU and that phenylalanine might have a direct effect on the level of TTR in serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Won Park
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are elongated protein aggregates well known for their association with many human diseases. However, similar structures have also been found in other organisms and amyloid fibrils can also be formed in vitro by other proteins usually under non-physiological conditions. In all cases, these fibrils assemble in a nucleated polymerization reaction with a pronounced lag phase that can be eliminated by supplying pre-formed fibrils as seeds. Once formed, the fibrils are usually very stable, except for their tendency to break into smaller pieces forming more growing ends in the process. These properties give amyloid fibers a self-replicating character dependent only on a source of soluble protein. For some systems and under certain circumstances this can lead to infectious protein structures, so-called prions, that can be passed from one organism to another as in the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and in fungal prion systems. Structural details about these processes have emerged only recently, mostly on account of the inability of traditional high-resolution methods to deal with insoluble, filamentous specimens. In consequence, current models for amyloid fibrils are based on fewer constraints than common atomic-resolution structures. This review gives an overview of the constraints used for the development of amyloid models and the methods used to derive them. The principally possible structures will be introduced by discussing current models of amyloid fibrils from Alzheimer's beta-peptide, amylin and several fungal systems. The infectivity of some amyloids under specific conditions might not be due to a principal structural difference between infectious and non-infectious amyloids, but could result from an interplay of the rates for filament nucleation, growth, fragmentation, and clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Baxa
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Amyloidogenic properties of transthyretin-like protein (TLP) fromEscherichia coli. FEBS Lett 2008; 582:2893-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2008] [Revised: 07/08/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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