Compromised mitochondrial complex II in models of Machado-Joseph disease

The molecular mechanisms of spinocerebellar ataxias for DNA repeat expansion in disease

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a heterogenous group of neurodegenerative disorders which commonly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. They cause muscle incoordination due to degeneration of the cerebellum and other parts of nervous system. Out of all the characterized (>50) SCAs, 14 SCAs are caused due to microsatellite repeat expansion mutations. Repeat expansions can result in toxic protein gain-of-function, protein loss-of-function, and/or RNA gain-of-function effects. The location and the nature of mutation modulate the underlying disease pathophysiology resulting in varying disease manifestations. Potential toxic effects of these mutations likely affect key major cellular processes such as transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial functioning, ion channel dysfunction and synaptic transmission. Involvement of several common pathways suggests interlinked function of genes implicated in the disease pathogenesis. A better understanding of the shared and distinct molecular pathogenic mechanisms in these diseases is required to develop targeted therapeutic tools and interventions for disease management. The prime focus of this review is to elaborate on how expanded 'CAG' repeats contribute to the common modes of neurotoxicity and their possible therapeutic targets in management of such devastating disorders.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Decreased Cytochrome c in Cell and Animal Models of Machado-Joseph Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been described in many neurodegenerative disorders; however, there is less information regarding mitochondrial deficits in Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), a polyglutamine (polyQ) disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene. In the present study, we characterized the changes in mitochondrial function and biogenesis markers in two MJD models, CMVMJD135 (MJD135) transgenic mice at a fully established phenotype stage and tetracycline-regulated PC6-3 Q108 cell line expressing mutant ataxin-3 (mATXN3). We detected mATXN3 in the mitochondrial fractions of PC6-3 Q108 cells, suggesting the interaction of expanded ATXN3 with the organelle. Interestingly, in both the cerebella of the MJD135 mouse model and in PC6-3 Q108 cells, we found decreased mitochondrial respiration, ATP production and mitochondrial membrane potential, strongly suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction in MJD. Also, in PC6-3 Q108 cells, an additional enhanced glycolytic flux was observed. Supporting the functional deficits observed in MJD mitochondria, MJD135 mouse cerebellum and PC6-3 Q108 cells showed reduced cytochrome c mRNA and protein levels. Overall, our findings show compromised mitochondrial function associated with decreased cytochrome c levels in both cell and animal models of MJD.

The Josephin domain (JD) containing proteins are predicted to bind to the same interactors: Implications for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) studies using Drosophila melanogaster mutants

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, also known as Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/ MJD), is the most frequent polyglutamine (polyQ) neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by a pathogenic expansion of the polyQ tract, located at the C-terminal region of the protein encoded by the ATXN3 gene. This gene codes for a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that belongs to a gene family, that in humans is composed by three more genes (ATXN3L, JOSD1, and JOSD2), that define two gene lineages (the ATXN3 and the Josephins). These proteins have in common the N-terminal catalytic domain (Josephin domain, JD), that in Josephins is the only domain present. In ATXN3 knock-out mouse and nematode models, the SCA3 neurodegeneration phenotype is not, however, reproduced, suggesting that in the genome of these species there are other genes that are able to compensate for the lack of ATXN3. Moreover, in mutant Drosophila melanogaster, where the only JD protein is coded by a Josephin-like gene, expression of the expanded human ATXN3 gene reproduces multiple aspects of the SCA3 phenotype, in contrast with the results of the expression of the wild type human form. In order to explain these findings, phylogenetic, as well as, protein–protein docking inferences are here performed. Here we show multiple losses of JD containing genes across the animal kingdom, suggesting partial functional redundancy of these genes. Accordingly, we predict that the JD is essential for binding with ataxin-3 and proteins of the Josephin lineages, and that D. melanogaster mutants are a good model of SCA3 despite the absence of a gene from the ATXN3 lineage. The molecular recognition regions of the ataxin-3 binding and those predicted for the Josephins are, however, different. We also report different binding regions between the two ataxin-3 forms (wild-type (wt) and expanded (exp)). The interactors that show an increase in the interaction strength with exp ataxin-3, are enriched in extrinsic components of mitochondrial outer membrane and endoplasmatic reticulum membrane. On the other hand, the group of interactors that show a decrease in the interaction strength with exp ataxin-3 is significantly enriched in extrinsic component of cytoplasm.

KPNB1 modulates the Machado-Joseph disease protein ataxin-3 through activation of the mitochondrial protease CLPP

Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) is characterized by a pathological expansion of the polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within the ataxin-3 protein. Despite its primarily cytoplasmic localization, polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 accumulates in the nucleus and forms intranuclear aggregates in the affected neurons. Due to these histopathological hallmarks, the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery has garnered attention as an important disease relevant mechanism. Here, we report on MJD cell model-based analysis of the nuclear transport receptor karyopherin subunit beta-1 (KPNB1) and its implications in the molecular pathogenesis of MJD. Although directly interacting with both wild-type and polyQ-expanded ataxin-3, modulating KPNB1 did not alter the intracellular localization of ataxin-3. Instead, overexpression of KPNB1 reduced ataxin-3 protein levels and the aggregate load, thereby improving cell viability. On the other hand, its knockdown and inhibition resulted in the accumulation of soluble and insoluble ataxin-3. Interestingly, the reduction of ataxin-3 was apparently based on protein fragmentation independent of the classical MJD-associated proteolytic pathways. Label-free quantitative proteomics and knockdown experiments identified mitochondrial protease CLPP as a potential mediator of the ataxin-3-degrading effect induced by KPNB1. We confirmed reduction of KPNB1 protein levels in MJD by analyzing two MJD transgenic mouse models and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from MJD patients. Our results reveal a yet undescribed regulatory function of KPNB1 in controlling the turnover of ataxin-3, thereby highlighting a new potential target of therapeutic value for MJD.

Mitochondrial function and dynamics in neural stem cells and neurogenesis: Implications for neurodegenerative diseases

Mitochondria have been largely described as the powerhouse of the cell and recent findings demonstrate that this organelle is fundamental for neurogenesis. The mechanisms underlying neural stem cells (NSCs) maintenance and differentiation are highly regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Mitochondrial-mediated switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, accompanied by mitochondrial remodeling and dynamics are vital to NSCs fate. Deregulation of mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial DNA, function, fission/fusion and metabolism underly several neurodegenerative diseases; data show that these impairments are already present in early developmental stages and NSC fate decisions. However, little is known about mitochondrial role in neurogenesis. In this Review, we describe the recent evidence covering mitochondrial role in neurogenesis, its impact in selected neurodegenerative diseases, for which aging is the major risk factor, and the recent advances in stem cell-based therapies that may alleviate neurodegenerative disorders-related neuronal deregulation through improvement of mitochondrial function and dynamics.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Is Linked to VDAC1 Deubiquitination

Dysfunctional mitochondria are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. Metabolic defects, a symptom which can result from dysfunctional mitochondria, are also present in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado–Joseph disease, the most frequent, dominantly inherited neurodegenerative ataxia worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported for several neurodegenerative disorders and ataxin-3 is known to deubiquitinylate parkin, a key protein required for canonical mitophagy. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial function and mitophagy in a patient-derived SCA3 cell model. Human fibroblast lines isolated from SCA3 patients were immortalized and characterized. SCA3 patient fibroblasts revealed circular, ring-shaped mitochondria and featured reduced OXPHOS complexes, ATP production and cell viability. We show that wildtype ataxin-3 deubiquitinates VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel 1), a member of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and a parkin substrate. In SCA3 patients, VDAC1 deubiquitination and parkin recruitment to the depolarized mitochondria is inhibited. Increased p62-linked mitophagy, autophagosome formation and autophagy is observed under disease conditions, which is in line with mitochondrial fission. SCA3 fibroblast lines demonstrated a mitochondrial phenotype and dysregulation of parkin-VDAC1-mediated mitophagy, thereby promoting mitochondrial quality control via alternative pathways.

Polyglutamine Ataxias: Our Current Molecular Understanding and What the Future Holds for Antisense Therapies

Polyglutamine (polyQ) ataxias are a heterogenous group of neurological disorders all caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat located in the coding region of each unique causative gene. To date, polyQ ataxias encompass six disorders: spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17 and account for a larger group of disorders simply known as polyglutamine disorders, which also includes Huntington's disease. These diseases are typically characterised by progressive ataxia, speech and swallowing difficulties, lack of coordination and gait, and are unfortunately fatal in nature, with the exception of SCA6. All the polyQ spinocerebellar ataxias have a hallmark feature of neuronal aggregations and share many common pathogenic mechanisms, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired proteasomal function, and autophagy impairment. Currently, therapeutic options are limited, with no available treatments that slow or halt disease progression. Here, we discuss the common molecular and clinical presentations of polyQ spinocerebellar ataxias. We will also discuss the promising antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics being developed as treatments for these devastating diseases. With recent advancements and therapeutic approvals of various antisense therapies, it is envisioned that some of the studies reviewed may progress into clinical trials and beyond.

Stress granules, RNA-binding proteins and polyglutamine diseases: too much aggregation?

Stress granules (SGs) are membraneless cell compartments formed in response to different stress stimuli, wherein translation factors, mRNAs, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and other proteins coalesce together. SGs assembly is crucial for cell survival, since SGs are implicated in the regulation of translation, mRNA storage and stabilization and cell signalling, during stress. One defining feature of SGs is their dynamism, as they are quickly assembled upon stress and then rapidly dispersed after the stress source is no longer present. Recently, SGs dynamics, their components and their functions have begun to be studied in the context of human diseases. Interestingly, the regulated protein self-assembly that mediates SG formation contrasts with the pathological protein aggregation that is a feature of several neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, aberrant protein coalescence is a key feature of polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases, a group of nine disorders that are caused by an abnormal expansion of PolyQ tract-bearing proteins, which increases the propensity of those proteins to aggregate. Available data concerning the abnormal properties of the mutant PolyQ disease-causing proteins and their involvement in stress response dysregulation strongly suggests an important role for SGs in the pathogenesis of PolyQ disorders. This review aims at discussing the evidence supporting the existence of a link between SGs functionality and PolyQ disorders, by focusing on the biology of SGs and on the way it can be altered in a PolyQ disease context.

Dietary Antioxidants and the Mitochondrial Quality Control: Their Potential Roles in Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Advances in medicine and dietary standards over recent decades have remarkably increased human life expectancy. Unfortunately, the chance of developing age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), increases with increased life expectancy. High metabolic demands of neurons are met by mitochondria, damage of which is thought to contribute to the development of many NDDs including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mitochondrial damage is closely associated with the abnormal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are widely known to be toxic in various cellular environments, including NDD contexts. Thus, ways to prevent or slow mitochondrial dysfunction are needed for the treatment of these NDDs. In this review, we first detail how ROS are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and review the cellular mechanisms, such as the mitochondrial quality control (MQC) system, by which neurons defend against both abnormal production of ROS and the subsequent accumulation of damaged mitochondria. We next highlight previous studies that link mitochondrial dysfunction with PD and how dietary antioxidants might provide reinforcement of the MQC system. Finally, we discuss how aging plays a role in mitochondrial dysfunction and PD before considering how healthy aging through proper diet and exercise may be salutary.

Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias: emerging therapeutic targets

INTRODUCTION

Six of the most frequent dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) worldwide - SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA17 - are caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding proteins. While the identification of the causative mutation has advanced knowledge on the pathogenesis of polyQ SCAs, effective therapeutics able to mitigate the severe clinical manifestation of these highly incapacitating disorders are not yet available.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides a comprehensive and critical perspective on well-established and emerging therapeutic targets for polyQ SCAs; it aims to inspire prospective drug discovery efforts.

EXPERT OPINION

The landscape of polyQ SCAs therapeutic targets and strategies includes (1) the mutant genes and proteins themselves, (2) enhancement of endogenous protein quality control responses, (3) abnormal protein-protein interactions of the mutant proteins, (4) disturbed neuronal function, (5) mitochondrial function, energy availability and oxidative stress, and (6) glial dysfunction, growth factor or hormone imbalances. Challenges include gaining a clearer definition of therapeutic targets for the drugs in clinical development, the discovery of novel drug-like molecules for challenging key targets, and the attainment of a stronger translation of preclinical findings to the clinic.

Gray matter atrophy patterns within the cerebellum-neostriatum-cortical network in SCA3

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the spatial patterns and the probable sequences of gray matter atrophy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3).

METHODS

A total of 47 patients with SCA3 and 49 age- and sex-matched healthy controls participated in the study. High-resolution T1-weighted MRI were examined in all participants. We used the causal network of structural covariance (CasCN) to identify the sequence of gray matter atrophy patterns. This was achieved by applying Granger causality analysis to a gray matter atrophy staging scheme performed by voxel-based morphometry from the network level.

RESULTS

Participants in the premanifest stage of the disease showed the presence of focal gray matter atrophy in the vermis. As the disease duration increased, there was progressive gray matter atrophy in the cerebellar, neostriatum, frontal lobe, and parietal lobe. The patients with SCA3 also showed proximal and distal cortical atrophy sequences exerting from the vermis to the regions mainly located in the cerebellum-neostriatum-cortical network.

CONCLUSION

Our results, although preliminary in nature, indicate that the gray matter atrophy in SCA3 lies and extends to involve more regions according to distinct anatomical patterns, mainly in the cerebellum-neostriatum-cortical network. These findings advance our understanding on the natural history of structural damage in SCA3, while confirming known clinical features. This could provide unique insight into the ordered sequential process of regional brain atrophy that targets a particular network.

Oxidative Stress in DNA Repeat Expansion Disorders: A Focus on NRF2 Signaling Involvement

DNA repeat expansion disorders are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases that arise from the inheritance of long tracts of nucleotide repetitions, located in the regulatory region, introns, or inside the coding sequence of a gene. Although loss of protein expression and/or the gain of function of its transcribed mRNA or translated product represent the major pathogenic effect of these pathologies, mitochondrial dysfunction and imbalance in redox homeostasis are reported as common features in these disorders, deeply affecting their severity and progression. In this review, we examine the role that the redox imbalance plays in the pathological mechanisms of DNA expansion disorders and the recent advances on antioxidant treatments, particularly focusing on the expression and the activity of the transcription factor NRF2, the main cellular regulator of the antioxidant response.

Profiling of mitochondrial genomes in SCA3/MJD patients from mainland China

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, also known as Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD), is the most common type of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias. Few studies focused on the changes of the whole mitochondrial genomes of SCA3/MJD patients and its relationship with the pathogenesis of SCA3/MJD. We adapted one-step long-range PCR to amplify the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) followed by next-generation sequencing technology to investigate the information of whole mitochondrial genomes in 38 SCA3/MJD patients and 31 healthy controls from mainland China. Compared to the healthy control group, the mitochondrial variations in SCA3/MJD patients were more concentrated in the tRNA-transcribed genes which were further found to be potentially associated with the pathogenesis of SCA3/MJD by SKAT-O analysis. However, owning variations in tRNA-transcribed genes could not affect the age of onset (AO) of SCA3/MJD patients. We also noticed that the variant loads greater than 90% took up more in SCA3/MJD patients than in controls. Moreover, from our preliminary study, compared to the patients whose ages of onset were elder than 20, the mitochondrial genomes showed no difference in those AO less than 20. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of using the next-generation sequencing technology for mtDNA variant analysis of SCA3/MJD patients from mainland China. And this research enriches the genetic information of SCA3/MJD and provides a direction for further investigations about the mitochondrial genomes in SCA3/MJD.

Protective roles of carbonic anhydrase 8 in Machado-Joseph Disease

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that can lead to a regression of motor coordination and muscle control in the extremities. It is known that expansion of CAG repeats encodes abnormally long polyQ in mutant ataxin-3, the disease protein. It is also noted that mutant ataxin-3 interacts with 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) and induces abnormal Ca²⁺ release. Previously, we have shown a significant increase in the expression of carbonic anhydrase VIII (CA8) in SK-N-SH-MJD78 cells, which are human neuroblastoma cells overexpressing mutant ataxin-3 with 78 glutamine repeats. In the current study, we showed the presence of significantly increased CA8 expression in MJD mouse cerebellum in either early or late disease stage, with a gradual decrease in CA8 expression as the MJD mice naturally aged. By immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analysis, we also found that CA8 co-localized and interacted with mutant ataxin-3 in SK-N-SH-MJD78 cells harboring overexpressed CA8 (SK-MJD78-CA8). In addition, we found that SK-MJD78-CA8 cells, as well as cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) of MJD transgenic (Tg) mouse with overexpressed CA8, were more resistant to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress than the control cells. Importantly, overexpression of CA8 in SK-MJD78-CA8 cells and in MJD CGNs rescued abnormal Ca²⁺ release and caused an increase in cell survival. In summary, we demonstrate the protective function of CA8 in MJD disease models and speculate that the declining expression of CA8 following an initial increased expression may be related to the late onset phenomenon of MJD.

DNA repair deficiency in neuropathogenesis: when all roads lead to mitochondria

Mutations in DNA repair enzymes can cause two neurological clinical manifestations: a developmental impairment and a degenerative disease. Polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase (PNKP) is an enzyme that is actively involved in DNA repair in both single and double strand break repair systems. Mutations in this protein or others in the same pathway are responsible for a complex group of diseases with a broad clinical spectrum. Besides, mitochondrial dysfunction also has been consolidated as a hallmark of brain degeneration. Here we provide evidence that supports a shared role between mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA repair defects in the pathogenesis of the nervous system. As models, we analyze PNKP-related disorders, focusing on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and ataxia. A better understanding of the molecular dynamics of this relationship could provide improved diagnosis and treatment for neurological diseases.

Spinocerebellar ataxia

The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal dominantly inherited progressive disorders, the clinical hallmark of which is loss of balance and coordination accompanied by slurred speech; onset is most often in adult life. Genetically, SCAs are grouped as repeat expansion SCAs, such as SCA3/Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), and rare SCAs that are caused by non-repeat mutations, such as SCA5. Most SCA mutations cause prominent damage to cerebellar Purkinje neurons with consecutive cerebellar atrophy, although Purkinje neurons are only mildly affected in some SCAs. Furthermore, other parts of the nervous system, such as the spinal cord, basal ganglia and pontine nuclei in the brainstem, can be involved. As there is currently no treatment to slow or halt SCAs (many SCAs lead to premature death), the clinical care of patients with SCA focuses on managing the symptoms through physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Intense research has greatly expanded our understanding of the pathobiology of many SCAs, revealing that they occur via interrelated mechanisms (including proteotoxicity, RNA toxicity and ion channel dysfunction), and has led to the identification of new targets for treatment development. However, the development of effective therapies is hampered by the heterogeneity of the SCAs; specific therapeutic approaches may be required for each disease.

Mitochondrial Morphology, Function and Homeostasis Are Impaired by Expression of an N-terminal Calpain Cleavage Fragment of Ataxin-3

Alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease and Huntington disease. Metabolic defects, resulting from dysfunctional mitochondria, have been reported in patients and respective animal models of all those diseases. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3), another neurodegenerative disorder, also presents with metabolic defects and loss of body weight in early disease stages although the possible role of mitochondrial dysfunction in SCA3 pathology is still to be determined. Interestingly, the SCA3 disease protein ataxin-3, which is predominantly localized in cytoplasm and nucleus, has also been associated with mitochondria in both its mutant and wildtype form. This observation provides an interesting link to a potential mitochondrial involvement of mutant ataxin-3 in SCA3 pathogenesis. Furthermore, proteolytic cleavage of ataxin-3 has been shown to produce toxic fragments and even overexpression of artificially truncated forms of ataxin-3 resulted in mitochondria deficits. Therefore, we analyzed the repercussions of expressing a naturally occurring N-terminal cleavage fragment of ataxin-3 and the influence of an endogenous expression of the S256 cleavage fragment in vitro and in vivo. In our study, expression of a fragment derived from calpain cleavage induced mitochondrial fragmentation and cristae alterations leading to a significantly decreased capacity of mitochondrial respiration and contributing to an increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Furthermore, analyzing mitophagy revealed activation of autophagy in the early pathogenesis with reduced lysosomal activity. In conclusion, our findings indicate that cleavage of ataxin-3 by calpains results in fragments which interfere with mitochondrial function and mitochondrial degradation processes.

Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: lessons from disease pathogenesis and clues into therapy

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is an incurable disorder, widely regarded as the most common form of spinocerebellar ataxia in the world. MJD/SCA3 arises from mutation of the ATXN3 gene, but this simple monogenic cause contrasts with the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms that are currently admitted to underlie neuronal dysfunction and death. The aberrantly expanded protein product - ataxin-3 - is known to aggregate and generate toxic species that disrupt several cell systems, including autophagy, proteostasis, transcription, mitochondrial function and signalling. Over the years, research into putative therapeutic approaches has often been devoted to the development of strategies that counteract disease at different stages of cellular pathogenesis. Silencing the pathogenic protein, blocking aggregation, inhibiting toxic proteolytic processing and counteracting dysfunctions of the cellular systems affected have yielded promising ameliorating results in studies with cellular and animal models. The current review analyses the available studies dedicated to the investigation of MJD/SCA3 pathogenesis and the exploration of possible therapeutic strategies, focusing primarily on gene therapy and pharmacological approaches rooted on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease.

CRISPR/Cas9-Targeted Deletion of Polyglutamine in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is caused by an abnormal expansion of the cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) triplet in ATXN3, which translates into a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within ataxin-3 (ATXN3) protein. Although the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear, it is well established that expression of mutant forms of ATXN3 carrying an expanded polyQ domain are involved in SCA3 pathogenesis, and several strategies to suppress mutant ATXN3 have shown promising potential for SCA3 treatment. In this study, we described successful clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated deletion of the expanded polyQ-encoding region of ATXN3 in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a SCA3 patient, and these patient-specific iPSCs retained pluripotency and neural differentiation following expanded polyQ deletion. Furthermore, the ubiquitin-binding capacity of ATXN3 was retained in the neural cells differentiated from the corrected iPSCs. For the first time, this work provides preliminary data for gene editing by CRISPR/Cas9 in SCA3, and demonstrates the feasibility of using a single-guide RNA pair to delete the expanded polyQ-encoding region of ATXN3, suggesting the potential efficacy of this method for future therapeutic application.

Accumulation of Mitochondrial DNA Common Deletion Since The Preataxic Stage of Machado-Joseph Disease

Molecular alterations reflecting pathophysiologic changes thought to occur many years before the clinical onset of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a late-onset polyglutamine disorder, remain unidentified. The absence of molecular biomarkers hampers clinical trials, which lack sensitive measures of disease progression, preventing the identification of events occurring prior to clinical onset. Our aim was to analyse the mtDNA content and the amount of the common deletion (m.8482_13460del4977) in a cohort of 16 preataxic MJD mutation carriers, 85 MJD patients and 101 apparently healthy age-matched controls. Relative expression levels of RPPH1, MT-ND1 and MT-ND4 genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. The mtDNA content was calculated as the difference between the expression levels of a mitochondrial gene (MT-ND1) and a nuclear gene (RPPH1); the amount of mtDNA common deletion was calculated as the difference between expression levels of a deleted (MT-ND4) and an undeleted (MT-ND1) mitochondrial genes. mtDNA content in MJD carriers was similar to that of healthy age-matched controls, whereas the percentage of the common deletion was significantly increased in MJD subjects, and more pronounced in the preclinical stage (p < 0.05). The BCL2/BAX ratio was decreased in preataxic carriers compared to controls, suggesting that the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway is altered in MJD. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that accumulation of common deletion starts in the preclinical stage. Such early alterations provide support to the current understanding that any therapeutic intervention in MJD should start before the overt clinical phenotype.

Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Pathways Implicated in Machado-Joseph Disease Pathogenesis

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominantly inherited disorder originally described in people of Portuguese descent, and associated with the expansion of a CAG tract in the coding region of the causative gene MJD1/ATX3. The CAG repeats range from 10 to 51 in the normal population and from 55 to 87 in SCA3/MJD patients. MJD1 encodes ataxin-3, a protein whose physiological function has been linked to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Despite the identification of the causative mutation, the pathogenic process leading to the neurodegeneration observed in the disease is not yet completely understood. In the past years, several studies identified different molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways as being impaired or deregulated in MJD. Autophagy, proteolysis or post-translational modifications, among other processes, were implicated in MJD pathogenesis. From these studies it was possible to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention, which in some cases proved successful in models of disease.

The CAG-polyglutamine repeat diseases: a clinical, molecular, genetic, and pathophysiologic nosology

Throughout the genome, unstable tandem nucleotide repeats can expand to cause a variety of neurologic disorders. Expansion of a CAG triplet repeat within a coding exon gives rise to an elongated polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the resultant protein product, and accounts for a unique category of neurodegenerative disorders, known as the CAG-polyglutamine repeat diseases. The nine members of the CAG-polyglutamine disease family include spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), Huntington disease, dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy, and six spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17). All CAG-polyglutamine diseases are dominantly inherited, with the exception of SBMA, which is X-linked, and many CAG-polyglutamine diseases display anticipation, which is defined as increasing disease severity in successive generations of an affected kindred. Despite widespread expression of the different polyQ-expanded disease proteins throughout the body, each CAG-polyglutamine disease strikes a particular subset of neurons, although the mechanism for this cell-type selectivity remains poorly understood. While the different genes implicated in these disorders display amino acid homology only in the repeat tract domain, certain pathologic molecular processes have been implicated in almost all of the CAG-polyglutamine repeat diseases, including protein aggregation, proteolytic cleavage, transcription dysregulation, autophagy impairment, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we highlight the clinical and molecular genetic features of each distinct disorder, and then discuss common themes in CAG-polyglutamine disease pathogenesis, closing with emerging advances in therapy development.

The Truncated C-terminal Fragment of Mutant ATXN3 Disrupts Mitochondria Dynamics in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Models

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), known as Machado-Joseph disease, is an autosomal dominant disease caused by an abnormal expansion of polyglutamine in ATXN3 gene, leading to neurodegeneration in SCA3 patients. Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases, the dysfunction of mitochondria is observed to cause neuronal death in SCA3 patients. Based on previous studies, proteolytic cleavage of mutant ATXN3 is found to produce truncated C-terminal fragments in SCA3 models. However, whether these truncated mutant fragments disturb mitochondrial functions and result in pathological death is still unclear. Here, we used neuroblastoma cell and transgenic mouse models to examine the effects of truncated mutant ATXN3 on mitochondria functions. In different models, we observed truncated mutant ATXN3 accelerated the formation of aggregates, which translocated into the nucleus to form intranuclear aggregates. In addition, truncated mutant ATXN3 caused more mitochondrial fission, and decreased the expression of mitochondrial fusion markers, including Mfn-1 and Mfn-2. Furthermore, truncated mutant ATXN3 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species and finally increased cell death rate. In transgenic mouse models, truncated mutant ATXN3 also led to more mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration and cell death in the cerebellums. This study supports the toxic fragment hypothesis in SCA3, and also provides evidence that truncated mutant ATXN3 is severer than full-length mutant one in vitro and in vivo.

Expanded and Wild-type Ataxin-3 Modify the Redox Status of SH-SY5Y Cells Overexpressing α-Synuclein

Neurodegenerative diseases are considered to be distinct clinical entities, although they share the formation of proteinaceous aggregates and several neuropathological mechanisms. Increasing evidence suggest a possible interaction between proteins that have been classically associated to distinct neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, common molecular and cellular pathways might explain similarities between disease phenotypes. Interestingly, the characteristic Parkinson's disease (PD) phenotype linked to bradykinesia is also a clinical presentation of other neurodegenerative diseases. An example is Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), with some patients presenting parkinsonism and a positive response to levodopa (L-DOPA). Protein aggregates positive for α-synuclein (α-Syn), a protein associated with PD, in the substantia nigra of MJD models made us hypothesize a putative additive biological effect induced by expression of α-Syn and ataxin-3 (Atx3), the protein affected in MJD. Hence, in this study we analysed the influence of these two proteins (α-Syn and wild-type or mutant Atx3) on modified redox signaling, a pathological process potentially linked to both diseases, and also the impact of exposure to iron and rotenone in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our results show that both α-Syn and mutant Atx3 overexpression per se increased oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH₂), and co-expression of these proteins exhibited additive effect on intracellular oxidation, with no correlation with apoptotic features. Mutant Atx3 and α-Syn also potentiated altered redox status induced by iron and rotenone, a hint to how these proteins might influence neuronal dysfunction under pro-oxidant conditions. We further show that overexpression of wild-type Atx3 decreased intracellular DCFH₂ oxidation, possibly exerting a neuroprotective role.

Far-infrared radiation protects viability in a cell model of Spinocerebellar Ataxia by preventing polyQ protein accumulation and improving mitochondrial function

Far infrared radiation (FIR) is currently investigated as a potential therapeutic strategy in various diseases though the mechanism is unknown. Presently, we tested if FIR mediates beneficial effects in a cell model of the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). SCA3 is caused by a mutation leading to an abnormal polyglutamine expansion (PolyQ) in ataxin-3 protein. The consequent aggregation of mutant ataxin-3 results in disruption of vital cell functions. In this study, neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH) was transduced to express either non-pathogenic ataxin-3-26Q or pathogenic ataxin-3-78Q proteins. The cells expressing ataxin-3-78Q demonstrated decreased viability, and increased sensitivity to metabolic stress in the presence rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. FIR exposure was found to protect against these effects. Moreover, FIR improved mitochondrial respiratory function, which was significantly compromised in ataxin-3-78Q and ataxin-3-26Q expressing cells. This was accompanied by decreased levels of mitochondrial fragmentation in FIR treated cells, as observed by fluorescence microscopy and protein expression analysis. Finally, the expression profile LC3-II, Beclin-1 and p62 suggested that FIR prevent the autophagy inhibiting effects observed in ataxin-3-78Q expressing cells. In summary, our results suggest that FIR have rescuing effects in cells expressing mutated pathogenic ataxin-3, through recovery of mitochondrial function and autophagy.

Altered p53 and NOX1 activity cause bioenergetic defects in a SCA7 polyglutamine disease model

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is one of the nine neurodegenerative disorders caused by expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) domains. Common pathogenic mechanisms, including bioenergetics defects, have been suggested for these so called polyQ diseases. However, the exact molecular mechanism(s) behind the metabolic dysfunction is still unclear. In this study we identified a previously unreported mechanism, involving disruption of p53 and NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) activity, by which the expanded SCA7 disease protein ATXN7 causes metabolic dysregulation. The NOX1 protein is known to promote glycolytic activity, whereas the transcription factor p53 inhibits this process and instead promotes mitochondrial respiration. In a stable inducible PC12 model of SCA7, p53 and mutant ATXN7 co-aggregated and the transcriptional activity of p53 was reduced, resulting in a 50% decrease of key p53 target proteins, like AIF and TIGAR. In contrast, the expression of NOX1 was increased approximately 2 times in SCA7 cells. Together these alterations resulted in a decreased respiratory capacity, an increased reliance on glycolysis for energy production and a subsequent 20% reduction of ATP in SCA7 cells. Restoring p53 function, or suppressing NOX1 activity, both reversed the metabolic dysfunction and ameliorated mutant ATXN7 toxicity. These results hence not only enhance the understanding of the mechanisms causing metabolic dysfunction in SCA7 disease, but also identify NOX1 as a novel potential therapeutic target in SCA7 and possibly other polyQ diseases.

From pathways to targets: understanding the mechanisms behind polyglutamine disease

The history of polyglutamine diseases dates back approximately 20 years to the discovery of a polyglutamine repeat in the androgen receptor of SBMA followed by the identification of similar expansion mutations in Huntington's disease, SCA1, DRPLA, and the other spinocerebellar ataxias. This common molecular feature of polyglutamine diseases suggests shared mechanisms in disease pathology and neurodegeneration of disease specific brain regions. In this review, we discuss the main pathogenic pathways including proteolytic processing, nuclear shuttling and aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and clearance of misfolded polyglutamine proteins and point out possible targets for treatment.

Ataxin-3 protein and RNA toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: current insights and emerging therapeutic strategies

Ataxin-3 is a ubiquitously expressed deubiqutinating enzyme with important functions in the proteasomal protein degradation pathway and regulation of transcription. The C-terminus of the ataxin-3 protein contains a polyglutamine (PolyQ) region that, when mutationally expanded to over 52 glutamines, causes the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3). In spite of extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular toxicity resulting from mutant ataxin-3 remain elusive and no preventive treatment is currently available. It has become clear over the last decade that the hallmark intracellular ataxin-3 aggregates are likely not the main toxic entity in SCA3. Instead, the soluble PolyQ containing fragments arising from proteolytic cleavage of ataxin-3 by caspases and calpains are now regarded to be of greater influence in pathogenesis. In addition, recent evidence suggests potential involvement of a RNA toxicity component in SCA3 and other PolyQ expansion disorders, increasing the pathogenic complexity. Herein, we review the functioning of ataxin-3 and the involvement of known protein and RNA toxicity mechanisms of mutant ataxin-3 that have been discovered, as well as future opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Consensus paper: pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxias

Intensive scientific research devoted in the recent years to understand the molecular mechanisms or neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are identifying new pathways and targets providing new insights and a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis in these diseases. In this consensus manuscript, the authors discuss their current views on the identified molecular processes causing or modulating the neurodegenerative phenotype in spinocerebellar ataxias with the common opinion of translating the new knowledge acquired into candidate targets for therapy. The following topics are discussed: transcription dysregulation, protein aggregation, autophagy, ion channels, the role of mitochondria, RNA toxicity, modulators of neurodegeneration and current therapeutic approaches. Overall point of consensus includes the common vision of neurodegeneration in SCAs as a multifactorial, progressive and reversible process, at least in early stages. Specific points of consensus include the role of the dysregulation of protein folding, transcription, bioenergetics, calcium handling and eventual cell death with apoptotic features of neurons during SCA disease progression. Unresolved questions include how the dysregulation of these pathways triggers the onset of symptoms and mediates disease progression since this understanding may allow effective treatments of SCAs within the window of reversibility to prevent early neuronal damage. Common opinions also include the need for clinical detection of early neuronal dysfunction, for more basic research to decipher the early neurodegenerative process in SCAs in order to give rise to new concepts for treatment strategies and for the translation of the results to preclinical studies and, thereafter, in clinical practice.

Association between Machado-Joseph disease and oxidative stress biomarkers

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, also called Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is an hereditary autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that affects the cerebellum and its afferent and efferent connections. Since the mechanism by which mutant ataxin-3 eventually leads to neuronal death is poorly understood, additional investigations to clarify the biological alterations related to Machado-Joseph disease are necessary. Recent investigations suggest that oxidative stress may contribute significantly to Machado-Joseph disease. We compared markers of oxidative stress between Machado-Joseph disease and healthy control subjects. The results showed that Machado-Joseph patients have higher catalase levels and lower thiol protein levels compared to control subjects. The peripheral blood lymphocyes of MJD patients also showed higher levels of DNA damage by the comet assay than control subjects. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that the oxidative stress is associated with MJD patients. However, whether strategies to increase cellular antioxidative capacity may be effective therapies for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease is an open question.

Ataxin-3 and its e3 partners: implications for machado-joseph disease

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common dominant inherited ataxia worldwide, caused by an unstable CAG trinucleotide expansion mutation within the SCA3 gene resulting in an expanded polyglutamine tract within the ataxin-3 protein. Ataxin-3 functions as a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB), within the Ub system and whilst many DUBs are known to partner with and deubiquitinate specific E3-Ub ligases, ataxin-3 had no identified E3 partner until recent studies implicated parkin and CHIP, two neuroprotective E3 ligases. MJD often presents with symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD), which led to identification of parkin as a novel E3-Ub ligase whose activity was regulated by ataxin-3-mediated deubiquitination. Findings from these studies also revealed an unexpected convergence upon the E2-Ub-conjugating enzyme in the regulation of an E3/DUBenzyme pair. Moreover, mutant but not wild-type ataxin-3 promotes the clearance of parkin via the autophagy pathway, raising the intriguing possibility that increased turnover of parkin may contribute to the pathogenesis of MJD and help explain some of the Parkinsonian features in MJD. In addition to parkin, the U-box E3 ligase CHIP, a neuroprotective E3 implicated in protein quality control, was identified as a second E3 partner of ataxin-3, with ataxin-3 regulating the ability of CHIP to ubiquitinate itself. Indeed, ataxin-3 not only deubiquitinated CHIP, but also trimmed Ub conjugates on CHIP substrates, thereby regulating the length of Ub chains. Interestingly, when expanded ataxin-3 was present, CHIP levels were also reduced in the brains of MJD transgenic mice, raising the possibility that loss of one or both E3 partners may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of SCA3. In this review we discuss the implications from these studies and describe the importance of these findings in helping us understand the molecular processes involved in SCA3 and other neurodegenerative disorders.