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Ye J, Wan H, Chen S, Liu GP. Targeting tau in Alzheimer's disease: from mechanisms to clinical therapy. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1489-1498. [PMID: 38051891 PMCID: PMC10883484 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease affecting older adults. Primary features of Alzheimer's disease include extracellular aggregation of amyloid-β plaques and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles, formed by tau protein, in the cells. While there are amyloid-β-targeting therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, these therapies are costly and exhibit potential negative side effects. Mounting evidence suggests significant involvement of tau protein in Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration. As an important microtubule-associated protein, tau plays an important role in maintaining the stability of neuronal microtubules and promoting axonal growth. In fact, clinical studies have shown that abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein occurs before accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain. Various therapeutic strategies targeting tau protein have begun to emerge, and are considered possible methods to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, abnormalities in post-translational modifications of the tau protein, including aberrant phosphorylation, ubiquitination, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylation, acetylation, and truncation, contribute to its microtubule dissociation, misfolding, and subcellular missorting. This causes mitochondrial damage, synaptic impairments, gliosis, and neuroinflammation, eventually leading to neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits. This review summarizes the recent findings on the underlying mechanisms of tau protein in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and discusses tau-targeted treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwang Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huali Wan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sihua Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Co-innovation Center of Neurodegeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China and Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Thierry M, Ponce J, Martà-Ariza M, Askenazi M, Faustin A, Leitner D, Pires G, Kanshin E, Drummond E, Ueberheide B, Wisniewski T. The influence of APOE ε4 on the pTau interactome in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:91. [PMID: 38772917 PMCID: PMC11108952 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02744-8] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
APOEε4 is the major genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although APOEε4 is known to promote Aβ pathology, recent data also support an effect of APOE polymorphism on phosphorylated Tau (pTau) pathology. To elucidate these potential effects, the pTau interactome was analyzed across APOE genotypes in the frontal cortex of 10 advanced AD cases (n = 5 APOEε3/ε3 and n = 5 APOEε4/ε4), using a combination of anti-pTau pS396/pS404 (PHF1) immunoprecipitation (IP) and mass spectrometry (MS). This proteomic approach was complemented by an analysis of anti-pTau PHF1 and anti-Aβ 4G8 immunohistochemistry, performed in the frontal cortex of 21 advanced AD cases (n = 11 APOEε3/ε3 and n = 10 APOEε4/ε4). Our dataset includes 1130 and 1330 proteins enriched in IPPHF1 samples from APOEε3/ε3 and APOEε4/ε4 groups (fold change ≥ 1.50, IPPHF1 vs IPIgG ctrl). We identified 80 and 68 proteins as probable pTau interactors in APOEε3/ε3 and APOEε4/ε4 groups, respectively (SAINT score ≥ 0.80; false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 5%). A total of 47/80 proteins were identified as more likely to interact with pTau in APOEε3/ε3 vs APOEε4/ε4 cases. Functional enrichment analyses showed that they were significantly associated with the nucleoplasm compartment and involved in RNA processing. In contrast, 35/68 proteins were identified as more likely to interact with pTau in APOEε4/ε4 vs APOEε3/ε3 cases. They were significantly associated with the synaptic compartment and involved in cellular transport. A characterization of Tau pathology in the frontal cortex showed a higher density of plaque-associated neuritic crowns, made of dystrophic axons and synapses, in APOEε4 carriers. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy was more frequent and severe in APOEε4/ε4 cases. Our study supports an influence of APOE genotype on pTau-subcellular location in AD. These results suggest a facilitation of pTau progression to Aβ-affected brain regions in APOEε4 carriers, paving the way to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Thierry
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jackeline Ponce
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Proteomics Laboratory, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mitchell Martà-Ariza
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Arline Faustin
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dominique Leitner
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Geoffrey Pires
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evgeny Kanshin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Proteomics Laboratory, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eleanor Drummond
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Proteomics Laboratory, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1023J, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, USA.
- Departments of Pathology and Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, Science Building, Rm 1017, 435 East 30 Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Shelkovnikova TA, Hautbergue GM. RNP granules in ALS and neurodegeneration: From multifunctional membraneless organelles to therapeutic opportunities. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:455-479. [PMID: 38802180 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by dysfunction of a host of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and a severely disrupted RNA metabolism. Recently, RBP-harbouring phase-separated complexes, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, have come into the limelight as "crucibles" of neuronal pathology in ALS. RNP granules are indispensable for the multitude of regulatory processes underlying cellular RNA metabolism and serve as critical organisers of cellular biochemistry. Neurons, highly specialised cells, heavily rely on RNP granules for efficient trafficking, signalling and stress responses. Multiple RNP granule components, primarily RBPs such as TDP-43 and FUS, are affected by ALS mutations. However, even in the absence of mutations, RBP proteinopathies represent pathophysiological hallmarks of ALS. Given the high local concentrations of RBPs and RNAs, their weakened or enhanced interactions within RNP granules disrupt their homeostasis. Thus, the physiological process of phase separation and RNP granule formation, vital for maintaining the high-functioning state of neuronal cells, becomes their Achilles heel. Here, we will review the recent literature on the causes and consequences of abnormal RNP granule functioning in ALS and related disorders. In particular, we will summarise the evidence for the network-level dysfunction of RNP granules in these conditions and discuss considerations for therapeutic interventions to target RBPs, RNP granules and their network as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana A Shelkovnikova
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Guillaume M Hautbergue
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Acosta-Cárdenas J, Jiménez-García LF, Cruz-Gómez SDJ, Mendoza-von der Borch AP, Segura-Valdez MDL. Microscopic Analysis of Nuclear Speckles in a Viviparous Reptile. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5281. [PMID: 38791320 PMCID: PMC11120696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105281] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles are compartments enriched in splicing factors present in the nucleoplasm of eucaryote cells. Speckles have been studied in mammalian culture and tissue cells, as well as in some non-mammalian vertebrate cells and invertebrate oocytes. In mammals, their morphology is linked to the transcriptional and splicing activities of the cell through a recruitment mechanism. In rats, speckle morphology depends on the hormonal cycle. In the present work, we explore whether a similar situation is also present in non-mammalian cells during the reproductive cycle. We studied the speckled pattern in several tissues of a viviparous reptile, the lizard Sceloporus torquatus, during two different stages of reproduction. We used immunofluorescence staining against splicing factors in hepatocytes and oviduct epithelium cells and fluorescence and confocal microscopy, as well as ultrastructural immunolocalization and EDTA contrast in Transmission Electron Microscopy. The distribution of splicing factors in the nucleoplasm of oviductal cells and hepatocytes coincides with the nuclear-speckled pattern described in mammals. Ultrastructurally, those cell types display Interchromatin Granule Clusters and Perichromatin Fibers. In addition, the morphology of speckles varies in oviduct cells at the two stages of the reproductive cycle analyzed, paralleling the phenomenon observed in the rat. The results show that the morphology of speckles in reptile cells depends upon the reproductive stage as it occurs in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeniffer Acosta-Cárdenas
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Luis Felipe Jiménez-García
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - Sarai de Jesús Cruz-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - Ana Paulina Mendoza-von der Borch
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - María de Lourdes Segura-Valdez
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
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Comptdaer T, Tardivel M, Schirmer C, Buée L, Galas MC. Cell redistribution of G quadruplex-structured DNA is associated with morphological changes of nuclei and nucleoli in neurons during tau pathology progression. Brain Pathol 2024:e13262. [PMID: 38649330 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
While the double helical structure has long been its iconic representation, DNA is structurally dynamic and can adopt alternative secondary configurations. Specifically, guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold in guanine quadruplexes (G4) structures. These G4 play pivotal roles as regulators of gene expression and genomic stability, and influence protein homeostasis. Despite their significance, the association of G4 with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been underappreciated. Recent findings have identified DNA sequences predicted to form G4 in sarkosyl-insoluble aggregates from AD brains, questioning the involvement of G4-structured DNA (G4 DNA) in the pathology. Using immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy analysis we investigated the impact of tau pathology, a hallmark of tauopathies including AD, on the distribution of G4 DNA in murine neurons and its relevance to AD brains. In healthy neurons, G4 DNA is detected in nuclei with a notable presence in nucleoli. However, in a transgenic mouse model of tau pathology (THY-Tau22), early stages of the disease exhibit an impairment in the nuclear distribution of G4 DNA. In addition, G4 DNA accumulates in the cytoplasm of neurons exhibiting oligomerized tau and oxidative DNA damage. This altered distribution persists in the later stage of the pathology when larger tau aggregates are present. Still cytoplasmic deposition of G4 DNA does not appear to be a critical factor in the tau aggregation process. Similar patterns are observed in neurons from the AD cortex. Furthermore, the disturbance in G4 DNA distribution is associated with various changes in the size of neuronal nuclei and nucleoli, indicative of responses to stress and the activation of pro-survival mechanisms. Our results shed light on a significant impact of tau pathology on the dynamics of G4 DNA and on nuclear and nucleolar mechanobiology in neurons. These findings reveal new dimensions in the etiopathogenesis of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Comptdaer
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, CNRS, LilNCog-Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Meryem Tardivel
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US41-UAR 2014-PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Claire Schirmer
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, CNRS, LilNCog-Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Luc Buée
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, CNRS, LilNCog-Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Marie-Christine Galas
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, CNRS, LilNCog-Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France
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Dion W, Tao Y, Chambers M, Zhao S, Arbuckle RK, Sun M, Kubra S, Nie Y, Ye M, Larsen MB, Camarco D, Ickes E, DuPont C, Wang H, Wang B, Liu S, Pi S, Chen BB, Chen Y, Chen X, Zhu B. Nuclear speckle rejuvenation alleviates proteinopathies at the expense of YAP1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.18.590103. [PMID: 38659924 PMCID: PMC11042303 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.590103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Current treatments targeting individual protein quality control have limited efficacy in alleviating proteinopathies, highlighting the prerequisite for a common upstream druggable target capable of global proteostasis modulation. Building on our prior research establishing nuclear speckles as pivotal organelles responsible for global proteostasis transcriptional control, we aim to alleviate proteinopathies through nuclear speckle rejuvenation. We identified pyrvinium pamoate as a small-molecule nuclear speckle rejuvenator that enhances protein quality control while suppressing YAP1 signaling via decreasing the surface tension of nuclear speckle condensates through interaction with the intrinsically disordered region of nuclear speckle scaffold protein SON. In pre-clinical models, pyrvinium pamoate reduced tauopathy and alleviated retina degeneration by promoting autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome system. Aberrant nuclear speckle morphology, reduced protein quality control and increased YAP1 activity were also observed in human tauopathies. Our study uncovers novel therapeutic targets for tackling protein misfolding disorders within an expanded proteostasis framework encompassing nuclear speckles and YAP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Dion
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Yuren Tao
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Maci Chambers
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Riley K. Arbuckle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Sun
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Syeda Kubra
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Yuhang Nie
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Megan Ye
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Mads B. Larsen
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Daniel Camarco
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Eleanor Ickes
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Claire DuPont
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Haokun Wang
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Bingjie Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, U.S.A
| | - Silvia Liu
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, U.S.A
| | - Bill B Chen
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, U.S.A
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Bokai Zhu
- Aging Institute of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
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Zhang M, Gu Z, Guo S, Sun Y, Ma S, Yang S, Guo J, Fang C, Shu L, Ge Y, Chen Z, Wang B. SRRM2 phase separation drives assembly of nuclear speckle subcompartments. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113827. [PMID: 38381607 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles (NSs) are nuclear biomolecular condensates that are postulated to form by macromolecular phase separation, although the detailed underlying forces driving NS formation remain elusive. SRRM2 and SON are 2 non-redundant scaffold proteins for NSs. How each individual protein governs assembly of the NS protein network and the functional relationship between SRRM2 and SON are largely unknown. Here, we uncover immiscible multiphases of SRRM2 and SON within NSs. SRRM2 and SON are functionally independent, specifically regulating alternative splicing of subsets of mRNA targets, respectively. We further show that SRRM2 forms multicomponent liquid phases in cells to drive NS subcompartmentalization, which is reliant on homotypic interaction and heterotypic non-selective protein-RNA complex coacervation-driven phase separation. SRRM2 serine/arginine-rich (RS) domains form higher-order oligomers and can be replaced by oligomerizable synthetic modules. The serine residues within the RS domains, however, play an irreplaceable role in fine-tuning the liquidity of NSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhuang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shuanghui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yingtian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Suibin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jierui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chenxi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Li Shu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 203201, China
| | - Yifan Ge
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 203201, China
| | - Zhongwen Chen
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 203201, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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Breunig K, Lei X, Montalbano M, Guardia GDA, Ostadrahimi S, Alers V, Kosti A, Chiou J, Klein N, Vinarov C, Wang L, Li M, Song W, Kraus WL, Libich DS, Tiziani S, Weintraub ST, Galante PAF, Penalva LOF. SERBP1 interacts with PARP1 and is present in PARylation-dependent protein complexes regulating splicing, cell division, and ribosome biogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.22.586270. [PMID: 38585848 PMCID: PMC10996453 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.22.586270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) containing intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are present in diverse molecular complexes where they function as dynamic regulators. Their characteristics promote liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the formation of membraneless organelles such as stress granules and nucleoli. IDR-RBPs are particularly relevant in the nervous system and their dysfunction is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumor development. SERBP1 is a unique member of this group, being mostly disordered and lacking canonical RNA-binding domains. Using a proteomics approach followed by functional analysis, we defined SERBP1's interactome. We uncovered novel SERBP1 roles in splicing, cell division, and ribosomal biogenesis and showed its participation in pathological stress granules and Tau aggregates in Alzheimer's disease brains. SERBP1 preferentially interacts with other G-quadruplex (G4) binders, implicated in different stages of gene expression, suggesting that G4 binding is a critical component of SERBP1 function in different settings. Similarly, we identified important associations between SERBP1 and PARP1/polyADP-ribosylation (PARylation). SERBP1 interacts with PARP1 and its associated factors and influences PARylation. Moreover, protein complexes in which SERBP1 participates contain mostly PARylated proteins and PAR binders. Based on these results, we propose a feedback regulatory model in which SERBP1 influences PARP1 function and PARylation, while PARylation modulates SERBP1 functions and participation in regulatory complexes.
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Powell WC, Nahum M, Pankratz K, Herlory M, Greenwood J, Poliyenko D, Holland P, Jing R, Biggerstaff L, Stowell MHB, Walczak MA. Post-Translational Modifications Control Phase Transitions of Tau. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583040. [PMID: 38559065 PMCID: PMC10979912 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of Tau(297-391) into filaments, which mirror the structures observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, raises questions about the role of AD-specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the formation of paired helical filaments (PHFs). To investigate this, we developed a synthetic approach to produce Tau(291-391) featuring N-acetyllysine, phosphoserine, phosphotyrosine, and N-glycosylation at positions commonly modified in post-mortem AD brains, thus facilitating the study of their roles in Tau pathology. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and a range of optical microscopy techniques, we discovered that these modifications generally hinder the in vitro assembly of Tau into PHFs. Interestingly, while acetylation's effect on Tau assembly displayed variability, either promoting or inhibiting phase transitions in the context of cofactor free aggregation, heparin-induced aggregation, and RNA-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), phosphorylation uniformly mitigated these processes. Our observations suggest that PTMs, particularly those situated outside the fibril's rigid core are pivotal in the nucleation of PHFs. Moreover, in scenarios involving heparin-induced aggregation leading to the formation of heterogeneous aggregates, most AD-specific PTMs, except for K311, appeared to decelerate the aggregation process. The impact of acetylation on RNA-induced LLPS was notably site-dependent, exhibiting both facilitative and inhibitory effects, whereas phosphorylation consistently reduced LLPS across all proteoforms examined. These insights underscore the complex interplay between site-specific PTMs and environmental factors in modulating Tau aggregation kinetics, enhancing our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of Tau pathology in AD and highlighting the critical role of PTMs located outside the ordered filament core in driving the self-assembly of Tau into PHF structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt C. Powell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - McKinley Nahum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Karl Pankratz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Morgane Herlory
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - James Greenwood
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Darya Poliyenko
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Patrick Holland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Ruiheng Jing
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Luke Biggerstaff
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Michael H. B. Stowell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Maciej A. Walczak
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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10
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. Commun Biol 2024; 7:251. [PMID: 38429335 PMCID: PMC10907630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05920-4] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Galia T Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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11
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Zheng H, Zhang H. More than a bystander: RNAs specify multifaceted behaviors of liquid-liquid phase-separated biomolecular condensates. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300203. [PMID: 38175843 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells contain a myriad of membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates with distinct compositions of proteins and RNAs. RNP condensates participate in different cellular activities, including RNA storage, mRNA translation or decay, stress response, etc. RNP condensates are assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) driven by multivalent interactions. Transition of RNP condensates into bodies with abnormal material properties, such as solid-like amyloid structures, is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we focus on how RNAs regulate multiple aspects of RNP condensates, such as dynamic assembly and/or disassembly and biophysical properties. RNA properties - including concentration, sequence, length and structure - also determine the phase behaviors of RNP condensates. RNA is also involved in specifying autophagic degradation of RNP condensates. Unraveling the role of RNA in RNPs provides novel insights into pathological accumulation of RNPs in various diseases. This new understanding can potentially be harnessed to develop therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
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12
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Han M, Saxton A, Currey H, Waldherr SM, Liachko NF, Kraemer BC. Transgenic Dendra2::tau expression allows in vivo monitoring of tau proteostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050473. [PMID: 38469687 PMCID: PMC10985736 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis is perturbed in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies, which are pathologically characterized by aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau (encoded by the human MAPT gene). Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans serve as a powerful model organism to study tauopathy disease mechanisms, but moderating transgenic expression level has proven problematic. To study neuronal tau proteostasis, we generated a suite of transgenic strains expressing low, medium or high levels of Dendra2::tau fusion proteins by comparing integrated multicopy transgene arrays with single-copy safe-harbor locus strains generated by recombinase-mediated cassette exchange. Multicopy Dendra2::tau strains exhibited expression level-dependent neuronal dysfunction that was modifiable by known genetic suppressors or an enhancer of tauopathy. Single-copy Dendra2::tau strains lacked distinguishable phenotypes on their own but enabled detection of enhancer-driven neuronal dysfunction. We used multicopy Dendra2::tau strains in optical pulse-chase experiments measuring tau turnover in vivo and found that Dendra2::tau turned over faster than the relatively stable Dendra2. Furthermore, Dendra2::tau turnover was dependent on the protein expression level and independent of co-expression with human TDP-43 (officially known as TARDBP), an aggregating protein interacting with pathological tau. We present Dendra2::tau transgenic C. elegans as a novel tool for investigating molecular mechanisms of tau proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Han
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Aleen Saxton
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Heather Currey
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Sarah M Waldherr
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Nicole F Liachko
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Brian C Kraemer
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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13
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Granholm AC, Hamlett ED. The Role of Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1338. [PMID: 38592182 PMCID: PMC10932364 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit an almost complete penetrance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology but are underrepresented in clinical trials for AD. The Tau protein is associated with microtubule function in the neuron and is crucial for normal axonal transport. In several different neurodegenerative disorders, Tau misfolding leads to hyper-phosphorylation of Tau (p-Tau), which may seed pathology to bystander cells and spread. This review is focused on current findings regarding p-Tau and its potential to seed pathology as a "prion-like" spreader. It also considers the consequences of p-Tau pathology leading to AD, particularly in individuals with Down syndrome. Methods: Scopus (SC) and PubMed (PM) were searched in English using keywords "tau AND seeding AND brain AND down syndrome". A total of 558 SC or 529 PM potentially relevant articles were identified, of which only six SC or three PM articles mentioned Down syndrome. This review was built upon the literature and the recent findings of our group and others. Results: Misfolded p-Tau isoforms are seeding competent and may be responsible for spreading AD pathology. Conclusions: This review demonstrates recent work focused on understanding the role of neurofibrillary tangles and monomeric/oligomeric Tau in the prion-like spreading of Tau pathology in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Charlotte Granholm
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric D. Hamlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
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14
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Llera-Oyola J, Carceller H, Andreu Z, Hidalgo MR, Soler-Sáez I, Gordillo F, Gómez-Cabañes B, Roson B, de la Iglesia-Vayá M, Mancuso R, Guerini FR, Mizokami A, García-García F. The role of microRNAs in understanding sex-based differences in Alzheimer's disease. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:13. [PMID: 38297404 PMCID: PMC10832236 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-the most frequent cause of dementia-is expected to increase as life expectancies rise across the globe. While sex-based differences in AD have previously been described, there remain uncertainties regarding any association between sex and disease-associated molecular mechanisms. Studying sex-specific expression profiles of regulatory factors such as microRNAs (miRNAs) could contribute to more accurate disease diagnosis and treatment. METHODS A systematic review identified six studies of microRNA expression in AD patients that incorporated information regarding the biological sex of samples in the Gene Expression Omnibus repository. A differential microRNA expression analysis was performed, considering disease status and patient sex. Subsequently, results were integrated within a meta-analysis methodology, with a functional enrichment of meta-analysis results establishing an association between altered miRNA expression and relevant Gene Ontology terms. RESULTS Meta-analyses of miRNA expression profiles in blood samples revealed the alteration of sixteen miRNAs in female and 22 miRNAs in male AD patients. We discovered nine miRNAs commonly overexpressed in both sexes, suggesting a shared miRNA dysregulation profile. Functional enrichment results based on miRNA profiles revealed sex-based differences in biological processes; most affected processes related to ubiquitination, regulation of different kinase activities, and apoptotic processes in males, but RNA splicing and translation in females. Meta-analyses of miRNA expression profiles in brain samples revealed the alteration of six miRNAs in female and four miRNAs in male AD patients. We observed a single underexpressed miRNA in female and male AD patients (hsa-miR-767-5p); however, the functional enrichment analysis for brain samples did not reveal any specifically affected biological process. CONCLUSIONS Sex-specific meta-analyses supported the detection of differentially expressed miRNAs in female and male AD patients, highlighting the relevance of sex-based information in biomedical data. Further studies on miRNA regulation in AD patients should meet the criteria for comparability and standardization of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Llera-Oyola
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
- Carlos Simon Foundation-INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - Héctor Carceller
- Neurobiology Unit, Program in Neurosciences and Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health, Madrid, Spain
- Joint Unit in Biomedical Imaging FISABIO-CIPF, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, València, Spain
| | - Zoraida Andreu
- Foundation Valencian Institute of Oncology (FIVO), 46009, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta R Hidalgo
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Soler-Sáez
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Gordillo
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Borja Gómez-Cabañes
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Roson
- Carlos Simon Foundation-INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria de la Iglesia-Vayá
- Joint Unit in Biomedical Imaging FISABIO-CIPF, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, València, Spain
| | - Roberta Mancuso
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Akiko Mizokami
- Oral Health/Brain Health/Total Health (OBT) Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Francisco García-García
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain.
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15
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Hernández-Contreras KA, Martínez-Díaz JA, Hernández-Aguilar ME, Herrera-Covarrubias D, Rojas-Durán F, Chi-Castañeda LD, García-Hernández LI, Aranda-Abreu GE. Alterations of mRNAs and Non-coding RNAs Associated with Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-023-03908-5. [PMID: 38236345 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03908-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative pathology whose pathognomonic hallmarks are increased generation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, production of hyperphosphorylated (pTau), and neuroinflammation. The last is an alteration closely related to the progression of AD and although it is present in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, the pathophysiological events that characterize neuroinflammatory processes vary depending on the disease. In this article, we focus on mRNA and non-coding RNA alterations as part of the pathophysiological events characteristic of neuroinflammation in AD and the influence of these alterations on the course of the disease through interaction with multiple RNAs related to the generation of Aβ, pTau, and neuroinflammation itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Aketzalli Hernández-Contreras
- Doctorado en Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Jorge Antonio Martínez-Díaz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - María Elena Hernández-Aguilar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Deissy Herrera-Covarrubias
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Fausto Rojas-Durán
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Lizbeth Donají Chi-Castañeda
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Luis Isauro García-Hernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Gonzalo Emiliano Aranda-Abreu
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales/Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Carr. Xalapa-Veracruz, Km 3.5, C.P. 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
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16
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Lan YZ, Wu Z, Chen WJ, Fang ZX, Yu XN, Wu HT, Liu J. Small nucleolar RNA and its potential role in the oncogenesis and development of colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:115-127. [PMID: 38312115 PMCID: PMC10835520 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i2.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) represent a class of non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in post-transcriptional RNA processing and modification, thereby contributing significantly to the maintenance of cellular functions related to protein synthesis. SnoRNAs have been discovered to possess the ability to influence cell fate and alter disease progression, holding immense potential in controlling human diseases. It is suggested that the dysregulation of snoRNAs in cancer exhibits differential expression across various cancer types, stages, metastasis, treatment response and/or prognosis in patients. On the other hand, colorectal cancer (CRC), a prevalent malignancy of the digestive system, is characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, ranking as the third most common cancer type. Recent research indicates that snoRNA dysregulation is associated with CRC, as snoRNA expression significantly differs between normal and cancerous conditions. Consequently, assessing snoRNA expression level and function holds promise for the prognosis and diagnosis of CRC. Nevertheless, current comprehension of the potential roles of snoRNAs in CRC remains limited. This review offers a comprehensive survey of the aberrant regulation of snoRNAs in CRC, providing valuable insights into the discovery of novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and potential tools for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC and furnishing critical cues for advancing research into CRC and the judicious selection of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Zheng Lan
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen-Jia Chen
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ze-Xuan Fang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin-Ning Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hua-Tao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
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17
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Portillo M, Toiber D. Tau's function and dysfunction in the brain: when small changes have big consequences. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:152-153. [PMID: 37488858 PMCID: PMC10479848 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Portillo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Debra Toiber
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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18
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Huang Z. Evidence that Alzheimer's Disease Is a Disease of Competitive Synaptic Plasticity Gone Awry. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:447-470. [PMID: 38669548 PMCID: PMC11119021 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240042] [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: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that a physiological function of amyloid-β (Aβ) is to mediate neural activity-dependent homeostatic and competitive synaptic plasticity in the brain. I have previously summarized the lines of evidence supporting this hypothesis and highlighted the similarities between Aβ and anti-microbial peptides in mediating cell/synapse competition. In cell competition, anti-microbial peptides deploy a multitude of mechanisms to ensure both self-protection and competitor elimination. Here I review recent studies showing that similar mechanisms are at play in Aβ-mediated synapse competition and perturbations in these mechanisms underpin Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specifically, I discuss evidence that Aβ and ApoE, two crucial players in AD, co-operate in the regulation of synapse competition. Glial ApoE promotes self-protection by increasing the production of trophic monomeric Aβ and inhibiting its assembly into toxic oligomers. Conversely, Aβ oligomers, once assembled, promote the elimination of competitor synapses via direct toxic activity and amplification of "eat-me" signals promoting the elimination of weak synapses. I further summarize evidence that neuronal ApoE may be part of a gene regulatory network that normally promotes competitive plasticity, explaining the selective vulnerability of ApoE expressing neurons in AD brains. Lastly, I discuss evidence that sleep may be key to Aβ-orchestrated plasticity, in which sleep is not only induced by Aβ but is also required for Aβ-mediated plasticity, underlining the link between sleep and AD. Together, these results strongly argue that AD is a disease of competitive synaptic plasticity gone awry, a novel perspective that may promote AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Huang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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19
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.572911. [PMID: 38187700 PMCID: PMC10769318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.572911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. Models of tau depletion or pathology show loss of genetically silent heterochromatin, aberrant expression of heterochromatic genes, and transposable element activation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA, while magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR experiments show that tau binding does not drastically alter nucleosome structure and dynamics. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S. Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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20
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Younas N, Saleem T, Younas A, Zerr I. Nuclear face of Tau: an inside player in neurodegeneration. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:196. [PMID: 38087392 PMCID: PMC10714511 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01702-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau (Tubulin associated unit) protein is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and tauopathies. Tau is predominantly an axonal protein with a crucial role in the stabilization and dynamics of the microtubules. Since the discovery of Tau protein in 1975, research efforts were concentrated on the pathophysiological role of Tau protein in the context of the microtubules. Although, for more than three decades, different localizations of Tau protein have been discovered e.g., in the nuclear compartments. Discovery of the role of Tau protein in various cellular compartments especially in the nucleus opens up a new fold of complexity in tauopathies. Data from cellular models, animal models, and the human brain indicate that nuclear Tau is crucial for genome stability and to cope with cellular distress. Moreover, it's nature of nuclear translocation, its interactions with the nuclear DNA/RNA and proteins suggest it could play multiple roles in the nucleus. To comprehend Tau pathophysiology and efficient Tau-based therapies, there is an urgent need to understand whole repertoire of Tau species (nuclear and cytoplasmic) and their functional relevance. To complete the map of Tau repertoire, understanding of various species of Tau in the nucleus and cytoplasm, identification if specific transcripts of Tau, isoforms and post-translational modifications could foretell Tau's localizations and functions, and how they are modified in neurodegenerative diseases like AD, is urgently required. In this review, we explore the nuclear face of Tau protein, its nuclear localizations and functions and its linkage with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Younas
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany.
| | - Tayyaba Saleem
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Abrar Younas
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
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21
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Gkekas I, Vagiona AC, Pechlivanis N, Kastrinaki G, Pliatsika K, Iben S, Xanthopoulos K, Psomopoulos FE, Andrade-Navarro MA, Petrakis S. Intranuclear inclusions of polyQ-expanded ATXN1 sequester RNA molecules. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1280546. [PMID: 38125008 PMCID: PMC10730666 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1280546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion in the ATXN1 gene. It is characterized by the presence of polyglutamine (polyQ) intranuclear inclusion bodies (IIBs) within affected neurons. In order to investigate the impact of polyQ IIBs in SCA1 pathogenesis, we generated a novel protein aggregation model by inducible overexpression of the mutant ATXN1(Q82) isoform in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, we developed a simple and reproducible protocol for the efficient isolation of insoluble IIBs. Biophysical characterization showed that polyQ IIBs are enriched in RNA molecules which were further identified by next-generation sequencing. Finally, a protein interaction network analysis indicated that sequestration of essential RNA transcripts within ATXN1(Q82) IIBs may affect the ribosome resulting in error-prone protein synthesis and global proteome instability. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of SCA1, highlighting the role of polyQ IIBs and their impact on critical cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Gkekas
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos Pechlivanis
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Kastrinaki
- Aerosol and Particle Technology Laboratory, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Pliatsika
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sebastian Iben
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Fotis E. Psomopoulos
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Spyros Petrakis
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece
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22
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Rupert J, Monti M, Zacco E, Tartaglia G. RNA sequestration driven by amyloid formation: the alpha synuclein case. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11466-11478. [PMID: 37870427 PMCID: PMC10681735 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids can act as potent modulators of protein aggregation, and RNA has the ability to either hinder or facilitate protein assembly, depending on the molecular context. In this study, we utilized a computational approach to characterize the physico-chemical properties of regions involved in amyloid aggregation. In various experimental datasets, we observed that while the core is hydrophobic and highly ordered, external regions, which are more disordered, display a distinct tendency to interact with nucleic acids. To validate our predictions, we performed aggregation assays with alpha-synuclein (aS140), a non-nucleic acid-binding amyloidogenic protein, and a mutant truncated at the acidic C-terminus (aS103), which is predicted to have a higher tendency to interact with RNA. For both aS140 and aS103, we observed an acceleration of aggregation upon RNA addition, with a significantly stronger effect for aS103. Due to favorable electrostatics, we noted an enhanced nucleic acid sequestration ability for the aggregated aS103, allowing it to entrap a larger amount of RNA compared to the aggregated wild-type counterpart. Overall, our research suggests that RNA sequestration might be a common phenomenon linked to protein aggregation, constituting a gain-of-function mechanism that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Rupert
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Michele Monti
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Elsa Zacco
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
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23
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Shan L, Li P, Yu H, Chen LL. Emerging roles of nuclear bodies in genome spatial organization. Trends Cell Biol 2023:S0962-8924(23)00230-1. [PMID: 37993310 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear bodies (NBs) are biomolecular condensates that participate in various cellular processes and respond to cellular stimuli in the nucleus. The assembly and function of these protein- and RNA-rich bodies, such as nucleoli, nuclear speckles, and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) NBs, contribute to the spatial organization of the nucleus, regulating chromatin activities locally and globally. Recent technological advancements, including spatial multiomics approaches, have revealed novel roles of nucleoli in modulating ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and adjacent non-rDNA chromatin activity, nuclear speckles in scaffolding active genome architecture, and PML NBs in maintaining genome stability during stress conditions. In this review, we summarize emerging functions of these important NBs in the spatial organization of the genome, aided by recently developed spatial multiomics approaches toward this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Shan
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pan Li
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongtao Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
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24
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Chen X, Xie L, Sheehy R, Xiong Y, Muneer A, Wrobel J, Park KS, Liu J, Velez J, Luo Y, Li YD, Quintanilla L, Li Y, Xu C, Wen Z, Song J, Jin J, Deshmukh M. Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer's disease proteopathology for precision medication. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2743792. [PMID: 38045363 PMCID: PMC10690335 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2743792/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects.
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25
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Yang Y, Guo L, Chen L, Gong B, Jia D, Sun Q. Nuclear transport proteins: structure, function, and disease relevance. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:425. [PMID: 37945593 PMCID: PMC10636164 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01649-4] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper subcellular localization is crucial for the functioning of biomacromolecules, including proteins and RNAs. Nuclear transport is a fundamental cellular process that regulates the localization of many macromolecules within the nuclear or cytoplasmic compartments. In humans, approximately 60 proteins are involved in nuclear transport, including nucleoporins that form membrane-embedded nuclear pore complexes, karyopherins that transport cargoes through these complexes, and Ran system proteins that ensure directed and rapid transport. Many of these nuclear transport proteins play additional and essential roles in mitosis, biomolecular condensation, and gene transcription. Dysregulation of nuclear transport is linked to major human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. Selinexor (KPT-330), an inhibitor targeting the nuclear export factor XPO1 (also known as CRM1), was approved in 2019 to treat two types of blood cancers, and dozens of clinical trials of are ongoing. This review summarizes approximately three decades of research data in this field but focuses on the structure and function of individual nuclear transport proteins from recent studies, providing a cutting-edge and holistic view on the role of nuclear transport proteins in health and disease. In-depth knowledge of this rapidly evolving field has the potential to bring new insights into fundamental biology, pathogenic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Gong
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Da Jia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Qingxiang Sun
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
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26
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Li D, Liu C. Molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils in neurodegenerative diseases. Structure 2023; 31:1335-1347. [PMID: 37657437 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are hallmarks of various neurodegenerative diseases. The structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils holds significant pathological importance in diseases. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview on the complexity of amyloid fibrils' structural polymorphism and its implications in disease pathogenesis. We firstly decipher the molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils. We then discuss pivotal factors that contribute to the assortment of fibril structural polymorphs, including post-translational modifications (PTMs), disease mutations, and interacting molecules, and elucidate the structural basis of how these determinants influence amyloid fibril polymorphism. Furthermore, we underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between diverse fibril polymorphs and pathological activities, as well as their potential roles in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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27
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Schneeweis A, Pak DTS. Wherefore Art Tau? Functional importance of site-specific tau phosphorylation in diverse subcellular domains. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 164:106475. [PMID: 37778693 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Tau has canonically been considered as an axonal protein, but studies have observed tau localization in other subcellular domains of neurons. This relocated tau has been identified in both physiological and pathological conditions, and it is often labeled mislocalized. Furthermore, these forms of tau are referred to as "hyperphosphorylated" without specifying the phosphosites involved. On the contrary, we speculate that tau may have multiple physiological functions in various locations regulated via specific phosphorylation sites, although this picture is obscured by a lack of comprehensive phosphosite analysis. Here, we examine findings in the literature on the subcellular location of tau and potential roles tau has in those regions. We intentionally focus on the site-specific phosphorylated patterns involved in governing these properties, which are not well elucidated. To facilitate understanding of these events, we have begun establishing a comprehensive map of tau phosphorylation signatures. Such efforts may clarify tau's diverse physiological functions beyond the axon as well as promote development of novel therapeutic strategies directed against distinct tau subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Schneeweis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Daniel T S Pak
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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28
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Bhagat R, Minaya MA, Renganathan A, Mehra M, Marsh J, Martinez R, Eteleeb AM, Nana AL, Spina S, Seeley WW, Grinberg LT, Karch CM. Long non-coding RNA SNHG8 drives stress granule formation in tauopathies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4889-4901. [PMID: 37730840 PMCID: PMC10914599 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are a heterogenous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by tau aggregation in the brain. In a subset of tauopathies, rare mutations in the MAPT gene, which encodes the tau protein, are sufficient to cause disease; however, the events downstream of MAPT mutations are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), transcripts >200 nucleotides with low/no coding potential that regulate transcription and translation, and their role in tauopathy. Using stem cell derived neurons from patients carrying a MAPT p.P301L, IVS10 + 16, or p.R406W mutation and CRISPR-corrected isogenic controls, we identified transcriptomic changes that occur as a function of the MAPT mutant allele. We identified 15 lncRNAs that were commonly differentially expressed across the three MAPT mutations. The commonly differentially expressed lncRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins that regulate stress granule formation. Among these lncRNAs, SNHG8 was significantly reduced in a mouse model of tauopathy and in FTLD-tau, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Alzheimer's disease brains. We show that SNHG8 interacts with tau and stress granule-associated RNA-binding protein TIA1. Overexpression of mutant tau in vitro is sufficient to reduce SNHG8 expression and induce stress granule formation. Rescuing SNHG8 expression leads to reduced stress granule formation and reduced TIA1 levels in immortalized cells and in MAPT mutant neurons, suggesting that dysregulation of this non-coding RNA is a causal factor driving stress granule formation via TIA1 in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshma Bhagat
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Miguel A Minaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Arun Renganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Muneshwar Mehra
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacob Marsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rita Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abdallah M Eteleeb
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alissa L Nana
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lea T Grinberg
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
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29
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Ong CT. Enrichment of novel Tau isoform with altered biochemical properties in Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2397-2398. [PMID: 37282466 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.371359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Tong Ong
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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30
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Farsi Z, Nicolella A, Simmons SK, Aryal S, Shepard N, Brenner K, Lin S, Herzog L, Moran SP, Stalnaker KJ, Shin W, Gazestani V, Song BJ, Bonanno K, Keshishian H, Carr SA, Pan JQ, Macosko EZ, Datta SR, Dejanovic B, Kim E, Levin JZ, Sheng M. Brain-region-specific changes in neurons and glia and dysregulation of dopamine signaling in Grin2a mutant mice. Neuron 2023; 111:3378-3396.e9. [PMID: 37657442 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
A genetically valid animal model could transform our understanding of schizophrenia (SCZ) disease mechanisms. Rare heterozygous loss-of-function (LoF) mutations in GRIN2A, encoding a subunit of the NMDA receptor, greatly increase the risk of SCZ. By transcriptomic, proteomic, and behavioral analyses, we report that heterozygous Grin2a mutant mice show (1) large-scale gene expression changes across multiple brain regions and in neuronal (excitatory and inhibitory) and non-neuronal cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), (2) evidence of hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hyperactivity in the hippocampus and striatum, (3) an elevated dopamine signaling in the striatum and hypersensitivity to amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH), (4) altered cholesterol biosynthesis in astrocytes, (5) a reduction in glutamatergic receptor signaling proteins in the synapse, and (6) an aberrant locomotor pattern opposite of that induced by antipsychotic drugs. These findings reveal potential pathophysiologic mechanisms, provide support for both the "hypo-glutamate" and "hyper-dopamine" hypotheses of SCZ, and underscore the utility of Grin2a-deficient mice as a genetic model of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Farsi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Ally Nicolella
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean K Simmons
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sameer Aryal
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nate Shepard
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kira Brenner
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sherry Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linnea Herzog
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean P Moran
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katherine J Stalnaker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wangyong Shin
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Vahid Gazestani
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bryan J Song
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Bonanno
- Proteomics Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hasmik Keshishian
- Proteomics Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Proteomics Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jen Q Pan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Evan Z Macosko
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Borislav Dejanovic
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Joshua Z Levin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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31
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Ripin N, Parker R. Formation, function, and pathology of RNP granules. Cell 2023; 186:4737-4756. [PMID: 37890457 PMCID: PMC10617657 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are diverse membrane-less organelles that form through multivalent RNA-RNA, RNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions between RNPs. RNP granules are implicated in many aspects of RNA physiology, but in most cases their functions are poorly understood. RNP granules can be described through four key principles. First, RNP granules often arise because of the large size, high localized concentrations, and multivalent interactions of RNPs. Second, cells regulate RNP granule formation by multiple mechanisms including posttranslational modifications, protein chaperones, and RNA chaperones. Third, RNP granules impact cell physiology in multiple manners. Finally, dysregulation of RNP granules contributes to human diseases. Outstanding issues in the field remain, including determining the scale and molecular mechanisms of RNP granule function and how granule dysfunction contributes to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Ripin
- Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
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32
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Xie L, Sheehy RN, Xiong Y, Muneer A, Wrobel JA, Park KS, Velez J, Liu J, Luo YJ, Li YD, Quintanilla L, Li Y, Xu C, Deshmukh M, Wen Z, Jin J, Song J, Chen X. Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer's disease proteopathology for precision medication. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.25.23297491. [PMID: 37961307 PMCID: PMC10635198 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.25.23297491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects. One-Sentence Summary A brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks G9a translational mechanism to reverse Alzheimer's disease related proteome for effective therapy.
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Rajewski BH, Makwana KM, Angera IJ, Geremia DK, Zepeda AR, Hallinan GI, Vidal R, Ghetti B, Serrano AL, Del Valle JR. β-Bracelets: Macrocyclic Cross-β Epitope Mimics Based on a Tau Conformational Strain. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23131-23142. [PMID: 37844142 PMCID: PMC10823581 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of misfolded tau into neurotoxic fibrils is linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies. Disease-associated conformations of filamentous tau are characterized by hydrophobic interactions between side chains on unique and distant β-strand modules within each protomer. Here, we report the design and diversity-oriented synthesis of β-arch peptide macrocycles composed of the aggregation-prone PHF6 hexapeptide of tau and the cross-β module specific to the AD tau fold. Termed "β-bracelets", these proteomimetics assemble in a sequence- and macrocycle-dependent fashion, resulting in amyloid-like fibrils that feature in-register parallel β-sheet structure. Backbone N-amination of a selected β-bracelet affords soluble inhibitors of tau aggregation. We further demonstrate that the N-aminated macrocycles block the prion-like cellular seeding activity of recombinant tau as well as mature fibrils from AD patient extracts. These studies establish β-bracelets as a new class of cross-β epitope mimics and demonstrate their utility in the rational design of molecules targeting amyloid propagation and seeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H. Rajewski
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Kamlesh M. Makwana
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Isaac J. Angera
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Danielle K. Geremia
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Anna R. Zepeda
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Grace I. Hallinan
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
| | - Ruben Vidal
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
| | - Bernardino Ghetti
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
| | - Arnaldo L. Serrano
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Juan R. Del Valle
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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34
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Hu J, Sha W, Yuan S, Wu J, Huang Y. Aggregation, Transmission, and Toxicity of the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau: A Complex Comprehension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15023. [PMID: 37834471 PMCID: PMC10573976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is an intrinsically disordered protein containing a few short and transient secondary structures. Tau physiologically associates with microtubules (MTs) for its stabilization and detaches from MTs to regulate its dynamics. Under pathological conditions, tau is abnormally modified, detaches from MTs, and forms protein aggregates in neuronal and glial cells. Tau protein aggregates can be found in a number of devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as "tauopathies", such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), etc. However, it is still unclear how the tau protein is compacted into ordered protein aggregates, and the toxicity of the aggregates is still debated. Fortunately, there has been considerable progress in the study of tau in recent years, particularly in the understanding of the intercellular transmission of pathological tau species, the structure of tau aggregates, and the conformational change events in the tau polymerization process. In this review, we summarize the concepts of tau protein aggregation and discuss the views on tau protein transmission and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Wenchi Sha
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shuangshuang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yunpeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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35
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Zuniga G, Frost B. Selective neuronal vulnerability to deficits in RNA processing. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 229:102500. [PMID: 37454791 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102500] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that errors in RNA processing can causally drive neurodegeneration. Given that RNA produced from expressed genes of all cell types undergoes processing (splicing, polyadenylation, 5' capping, etc.), the particular vulnerability of neurons to deficits in RNA processing calls for careful consideration. The activity-dependent transcriptome remodeling associated with synaptic plasticity in neurons requires rapid, multilevel post-transcriptional RNA processing events that provide additional opportunities for dysregulation and consequent introduction or persistence of errors in RNA transcripts. Here we review the accumulating evidence that neurons have an enhanced propensity for errors in RNA processing alongside grossly insufficient defenses to clear misprocessed RNA compared to other cell types. Additionally, we explore how tau, a microtubule-associated protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies, contributes to deficits in RNA processing and clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Zuniga
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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36
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Ormazábal A, Carletti MS, Saldaño TE, Gonzalez Buitron M, Marchetti J, Palopoli N, Bateman A. Expanding the repertoire of human tandem repeat RNA-binding proteins. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290890. [PMID: 37729217 PMCID: PMC10511089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein regions consisting of arrays of tandem repeats are known to bind other molecular partners, including nucleic acid molecules. Although the interactions between repeat proteins and DNA are already widely explored, studies characterising tandem repeat RNA-binding proteins are lacking. We performed a large-scale analysis of human proteins devoted to expanding the knowledge about tandem repeat proteins experimentally reported as RNA-binding molecules. This work is timely because of the release of a full set of accurate structural models for the human proteome amenable to repeat detection using structural methods. The main goal of our analysis was to build a comprehensive set of human RNA-binding proteins that contain repeats at the sequence or structure level. Our results showed that the combination of sequence and structural methods finds significantly more tandem repeat proteins than either method alone. We identified 219 tandem repeat proteins that bind RNA molecules and characterised the overlap between repeat regions and RNA-binding regions as a first step towards assessing their functional relationship. We observed differences in the characteristics of repeat regions predicted by sequence-based or structure-based methods in terms of their sequence composition, their functions and their protein domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Ormazábal
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías Sebastián Carletti
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tadeo Enrique Saldaño
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Azul, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Gonzalez Buitron
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Marchetti
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolas Palopoli
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alex Bateman
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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37
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Gao G, Walter NG. Critical Assessment of Condensate Boundaries in Dual-Color Single Particle Tracking. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:7694-7707. [PMID: 37669232 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c03776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless cellular compartments generated by phase separation that regulate a broad variety of cellular functions by enriching some biomolecules while excluding others. Live-cell single particle tracking of individual fluorophore-labeled condensate components has provided insights into a condensate's mesoscopic organization and biological functions, such as revealing the recruitment, translation, and decay of RNAs within ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. Specifically, during dual-color tracking, one imaging channel provides a time series of individual biomolecule locations, while the other channel monitors the location of the condensate relative to these molecules. Therefore, an accurate assessment of a condensate's boundary is critical for combined live-cell single particle-condensate tracking. Despite its importance, a quantitative benchmarking and objective comparison of the various available boundary detection methods is missing due to the lack of an absolute ground truth for condensate images. Here, we use synthetic data of defined ground truth to generate noise-overlaid images of condensates with realistic phase separation parameters to benchmark the most commonly used methods for condensate boundary detection, including an emerging machine-learning method. We find that it is critical to carefully choose an optimal boundary detection method for a given dataset to obtain accurate measurements of single particle-condensate interactions. The criteria proposed in this study to guide the selection of an optimal boundary detection method can be broadly applied to imaging-based studies of condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoming Gao
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nils G Walter
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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38
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Wang C, Terrigno M, Li J, Distler T, Pandya NJ, Ebeling M, Tyanova S, Hoozemans JJM, Dijkstra AA, Fuchs L, Xiang S, Bonni A, Grüninger F, Jagasia R. Increased G3BP2-Tau interaction in tauopathies is a natural defense against Tau aggregation. Neuron 2023; 111:2660-2674.e9. [PMID: 37385246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), particularly those associated with RNA granules, promote pathological protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that G3BP2, a core component of stress granules, directly interacts with Tau and inhibits Tau aggregation. In the human brain, the interaction of G3BP2 and Tau is dramatically increased in multiple tauopathies, and it is independent of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Surprisingly, Tau pathology is significantly elevated upon loss of G3BP2 in human neurons and brain organoids. Moreover, we found that G3BP2 masks the microtubule-binding region (MTBR) of Tau, thereby inhibiting Tau aggregation. Our study defines a novel role for RBPs as a line of defense against Tau aggregation in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congwei Wang
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marco Terrigno
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Juan Li
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026 Anhui, China
| | - Tania Distler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nikhil J Pandya
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefka Tyanova
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeroen J M Hoozemans
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anke A Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Luisa Fuchs
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shengqi Xiang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026 Anhui, China
| | - Azad Bonni
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Grüninger
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ravi Jagasia
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
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39
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Guo L, Mann JR, Mauna JC, Copley KE, Wang H, Rubien JD, Odeh HM, Lin J, Lee BL, Ganser L, Robinson E, Kim KM, Murthy AC, Paul T, Portz B, Gleixner AM, Diaz Z, Carey JL, Smirnov A, Padilla G, Lavorando E, Espy C, Shang Y, Huang EJ, Chesi A, Fawzi NL, Myong S, Donnelly CJ, Shorter J. Defining RNA oligonucleotides that reverse deleterious phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.04.555754. [PMID: 37732211 PMCID: PMC10508739 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.04.555754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains, such as FUS and TDP-43, condense into functional liquids, which can transform into pathological fibrils that underpin fatal neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we define short RNAs (24-48 nucleotides) that prevent FUS fibrillization by promoting liquid phases, and distinct short RNAs that prevent and, remarkably, reverse FUS condensation and fibrillization. These activities require interactions with multiple RNA-binding domains of FUS and are encoded by RNA sequence, length, and structure. Importantly, we define a short RNA that dissolves aberrant cytoplasmic FUS condensates, restores nuclear FUS, and mitigates FUS proteotoxicity in optogenetic models and human motor neurons. Another short RNA dissolves aberrant cytoplasmic TDP-43 condensates, restores nuclear TDP-43, and mitigates TDP-43 proteotoxicity. Since short RNAs can be effectively delivered to the human brain, these oligonucleotides could have therapeutic utility for ALS/FTD and related disorders.
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40
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Bhopatkar AA, Kayed R. Flanking regions, amyloid cores, and polymorphism: the potential interplay underlying structural diversity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105122. [PMID: 37536631 PMCID: PMC10482755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The β-sheet-rich amyloid core is the defining feature of protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Recent investigations have revealed that there exist multiple examples of the same protein, with the same sequence, forming a variety of amyloid cores with distinct structural characteristics. These structural variants, termed as polymorphs, are hypothesized to influence the pathological profile and the progression of different neurodegenerative diseases, giving rise to unique phenotypic differences. Thus, identifying the origin and properties of these structural variants remain a focus of studies, as a preliminary step in the development of therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the potential role of the flanking regions of amyloid cores in inducing polymorphism. These regions, adjacent to the amyloid cores, show a preponderance for being structurally disordered, imbuing them with functional promiscuity. The dynamic nature of the flanking regions can then manifest in the form of conformational polymorphism of the aggregates. We take a closer look at the sequences flanking the amyloid cores, followed by a review of the polymorphic aggregates of the well-characterized proteins amyloid-β, α-synuclein, Tau, and TDP-43. We also consider different factors that can potentially influence aggregate structure and how these regions can be viewed as novel targets for therapeutic strategies by utilizing their unique structural properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anukool A Bhopatkar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
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41
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Forrest SL, Lee S, Nassir N, Martinez-Valbuena I, Sackmann V, Li J, Ahmed A, Tartaglia MC, Ittner LM, Lang AE, Uddin M, Kovacs GG. Cell-specific MAPT gene expression is preserved in neuronal and glial tau cytopathologies in progressive supranuclear palsy. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:395-414. [PMID: 37354322 PMCID: PMC10412651 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02604-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) aggregates in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Tau is a target of therapy and the strategy includes either the elimination of pathological tau aggregates or reducing MAPT expression, and thus the amount of tau protein made to prevent its aggregation. Disease-associated tau affects brain regions in a sequential manner that includes cell-to-cell spreading. Involvement of glial cells that show tau aggregates is interpreted as glial cells taking up misfolded tau assuming that glial cells do not express enough MAPT. Although studies have evaluated MAPT expression in human brain tissue homogenates, it is not clear whether MAPT expression is compromised in cells accumulating pathological tau. To address these perplexing aspects of disease pathogenesis, this study used RNAscope combined with immunofluorescence (AT8), and single-nuclear(sn) RNAseq to systematically map and quantify MAPT expression dynamics across different cell types and brain regions in controls (n = 3) and evaluated whether tau cytopathology affects MAPT expression in PSP (n = 3). MAPT transcripts were detected in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and varied between brain regions and within each cell type, and were preserved in all cell types with tau aggregates in PSP. These results propose a complex scenario in all cell types, where, in addition to the ingested misfolded tau, the preserved cellular MAPT expression provides a pool for local protein production that can (1) be phosphorylated and aggregated, or (2) feed the seeding of ingested misfolded tau by providing physiological tau, both accentuating the pathological process. Since tau cytopathology does not compromise MAPT gene expression in PSP, a complete loss of tau protein expression as an early pathogenic component is less likely. These observations provide rationale for a dual approach to therapy by decreasing cellular MAPT expression and targeting removal of misfolded tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley L Forrest
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Seojin Lee
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Nasna Nassir
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Ivan Martinez-Valbuena
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Valerie Sackmann
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Jun Li
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Awab Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- University Health Network Memory Clinic, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Rossy PSP Centre and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
- Cellular Intelligence (Ci) Lab, GenomeArc Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada.
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Rossy PSP Centre and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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42
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McMillan PJ, Benbow SJ, Uhrich R, Saxton A, Baum M, Strovas T, Wheeler JM, Baker J, Liachko NF, Keene CD, Latimer CS, Kraemer BC. Tau-RNA complexes inhibit microtubule polymerization and drive disease-relevant conformation change. Brain 2023; 146:3206-3220. [PMID: 36732296 PMCID: PMC10393409 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and related disorders feature neurofibrillary tangles and other neuropathological lesions composed of detergent-insoluble tau protein. In recent structural biology studies of tau proteinopathy, aggregated tau forms a distinct set of conformational variants specific to the different types of tauopathy disorders. However, the constituents driving the formation of distinct pathological tau conformations on pathway to tau-mediated neurodegeneration remain unknown. Previous work demonstrated RNA can serve as a driver of tau aggregation, and RNA associates with tau containing lesions, but tools for evaluating tau/RNA interactions remain limited. Here, we employed molecular interaction studies to measure the impact of tau/RNA binding on tau microtubule binding and aggregation. To investigate the importance of tau/RNA complexes (TRCs) in neurodegenerative disease, we raised a monoclonal antibody (TRC35) against aggregated tau/RNA complexes. We showed that native tau binds RNA with high affinity but low specificity, and tau binding to RNA competes with tau-mediated microtubule assembly functions. Tau/RNA interaction in vitro promotes the formation of higher molecular weight tau/RNA complexes, which represent an oligomeric tau species. Coexpression of tau and poly(A)45 RNA transgenes in Caenorhabditis elegans exacerbates tau-related phenotypes including neuronal dysfunction and pathological tau accumulation. TRC35 exhibits specificity for Alzheimer's disease-derived detergent-insoluble tau relative to soluble recombinant tau. Immunostaining with TRC35 labels a wide variety of pathological tau lesions in animal models of tauopathy, which are reduced in mice lacking the RNA binding protein MSUT2. TRC-positive lesions are evident in many human tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and Pick's disease. We also identified ocular pharyngeal muscular dystrophy as a novel tauopathy disorder, where loss of function in the poly(A) RNA binding protein (PABPN1) causes accumulation of pathological tau in tissue from post-mortem human brain. Tau/RNA binding drives tau conformational change and aggregation inhibiting tau-mediated microtubule assembly. Our findings implicate cellular tau/RNA interactions as modulators of both normal tau function and pathological tau toxicity in tauopathy disorders and suggest feasibility for novel therapeutic approaches targeting TRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela J McMillan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Sarah J Benbow
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Rikki Uhrich
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Aleen Saxton
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Misa Baum
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Timothy Strovas
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Jeanna M Wheeler
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Jeremy Baker
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Nicole F Liachko
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Caitlin S Latimer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Brian C Kraemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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43
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Kow RL, Black AH, Henderson BP, Kraemer BC. Sut-6/NIPP1 modulates tau toxicity. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2292-2306. [PMID: 37000013 PMCID: PMC10321383 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases exhibiting the pathological accumulation of tau such as Alzheimer's disease and related disorders still have no disease-modifying treatments and the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration remain unclear. To discover additional suppressor of tauopathy (sut) genes that mediate or modulate the toxicity of pathological tau, we performed a classical genetic screen using a tau transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model. From this screen, we identified the suppressing mutation W292X in sut-6, the C. elegans homolog of human NIPP1, which truncates the C-terminal RNA-binding domain. Using CRISPR-based genome editing approaches, we generated null and additional C-terminally truncated alleles in sut-6 and found that loss of sut-6 or sut-6(W292X) suppresses tau-induced behavioral locomotor deficits, tau protein accumulation and neuron loss. The sut-6(W292X) mutation showed stronger and semi-dominant suppression of tau toxicity while sut-6 deletion acted recessively. Neuronal overexpression of SUT-6 protein did not significantly alter tau toxicity, but neuronal overexpression of SUT-6 W292X mutant protein reduced tau-mediated deficits. Epistasis studies showed tauopathy suppression by sut-6 occurs independent of other known nuclear speckle-localized suppressors of tau such as sut-2, aly-1/aly-3 and spop-1. In summary, we have shown that sut-6/NIPP1 modulates tau toxicity and found a dominant mutation in the RNA-binding domain of sut-6 which strongly suppresses tau toxicity. This suggests that altering RNA-related functions of SUT-6/NIPP1 instead of complete loss of SUT-6/NIPP1 will provide the strongest suppression of tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Kow
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - A H Black
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - B P Henderson
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - B C Kraemer
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Hurtle BT, Xie L, Donnelly CJ. Disrupting pathologic phase transitions in neurodegeneration. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e168549. [PMID: 37395272 DOI: 10.1172/jci168549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid-like protein deposits found in aged and diseased human brains have revealed a relationship between insoluble protein accumulations and the resulting deficits in neurologic function. Clinically diverse neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, exhibit unique and disease-specific biochemical protein signatures and abnormal protein depositions that often correlate with disease pathogenesis. Recent evidence indicates that many pathologic proteins assemble into liquid-like protein phases through the highly coordinated process of liquid-liquid phase separation. Over the last decade, biomolecular phase transitions have emerged as a fundamental mechanism of cellular organization. Liquid-like condensates organize functionally related biomolecules within the cell, and many neuropathology-associated proteins reside within these dynamic structures. Thus, examining biomolecular phase transitions enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating toxicity across diverse neurodegenerative diseases. This Review explores the known mechanisms contributing to aberrant protein phase transitions in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on tau and TDP-43 proteinopathies and outlining potential therapeutic strategies to regulate these pathologic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan T Hurtle
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh; and
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Longxin Xie
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh; and
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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45
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Tamvaka N, Manne S, Kondru N, Ross OA. Pick's Disease, Seeding an Answer to the Clinical Diagnosis Conundrum. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1646. [PMID: 37371741 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pick's disease (PiD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and the aggregation of 3R tau in pathognomonic inclusions known as Pick bodies. The term PiD has adopted many meanings since its conception in 1926, but it is currently used as a strictly neuropathological term, since PiD patients cannot be diagnosed during life. Due to its rarity, PiD remains significantly understudied, and subsequently, the etiology and pathomechanisms of the disease remain to be elucidated. The study of PiD and the preferential 3R tau accumulation that is unique to PiD is imperative in order to expand the current understanding of the disease and inform future studies and therapeutic development, since the lack of intervention strategies for tauopathies remains an unmet need. Yet, the lack of an antemortem diagnostic test for the disease has further complicated the study of PiD. The development of a clinical diagnostic assay for PiD will be a vital step in the study of the disease that will greatly contribute to therapeutic research, clinical trial design and patient recruitment and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Seed aggregation assays have shown great promise for becoming ante mortem clinical diagnostic tools for many proteinopathies, including tauopathies. Future research on adapting and optimizing current seed aggregation assays to successfully detect 3R tau pathogenic forms from PiD samples will be critical in establishing a 3R tau specific seed aggregation assay that can be used for clinical diagnosis and treatment evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Tamvaka
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Mayo Graduate School, Neuroscience Track, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Sireesha Manne
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Naveen Kondru
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Owen A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Mayo Graduate School, Neuroscience Track, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Zheng H, Peng K, Gou X, Ju C, Zhang H. RNA recruitment switches the fate of protein condensates from autophagic degradation to accumulation. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202210104. [PMID: 37014300 PMCID: PMC10075224 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202210104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein condensates can evade autophagic degradation under stress or pathological conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that RNAs switch the fate of condensates in Caenorhabditis elegans. PGL granules undergo autophagic degradation in embryos laid under normal conditions and accumulate in embryos laid under heat stress conditions to confer stress adaptation. In heat-stressed embryos, mRNAs and RNA control factors partition into PGL granules. Depleting proteins involved in mRNA biogenesis and stability suppresses PGL granule accumulation and triggers their autophagic degradation, while loss of activity of proteins involved in RNA turnover facilitates accumulation. RNAs facilitate LLPS of PGL granules, enhance their liquidity, and also inhibit recruitment of the gelation-promoting scaffold protein EPG-2 to PGL granules. Thus, RNAs are important for controlling the susceptibility of phase-separated protein condensates to autophagic degradation. Our work provides insights into the accumulation of ribonucleoprotein aggregates associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kangfu Peng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomeng Gou
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Ju
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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47
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Johnson AM, Lukens JR. The innate immune response in tauopathies. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250266. [PMID: 36932726 PMCID: PMC10247424 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250266] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies, which include frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, are a class of neurological disorders resulting from pathogenic tau aggregates. These aggregates disrupt neuronal health and function leading to the cognitive and physical decline of tauopathy patients. Genome-wide association studies and clinical evidence have brought to light the large role of the immune system in inducing and driving tau-mediated pathology. More specifically, innate immune genes are found to harbor tauopathy risk alleles, and innate immune pathways are upregulated throughout the course of disease. Experimental evidence has expanded on these findings by describing pivotal roles for the innate immune system in the regulation of tau kinases and tau aggregates. In this review, we summarize the literature implicating innate immune pathways as drivers of tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M. Johnson
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- BIG Training Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - John R. Lukens
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- BIG Training Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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48
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Bauer KE, de Queiroz BR, Kiebler MA, Besse F. RNA granules in neuronal plasticity and disease. Trends Neurosci 2023:S0166-2236(23)00104-2. [PMID: 37202301 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
RNA granules are dynamic entities controlling the spatiotemporal distribution and translation of RNA molecules. In neurons, a variety of RNA granules exist both in the soma and in cellular processes. They contain transcripts encoding signaling and synaptic proteins as well as RNA-binding proteins causally linked to several neurological disorders. In this review, we highlight that neuronal RNA granules exhibit properties of biomolecular condensates that are regulated upon maturation and physiological aging and how they are reversibly remodeled in response to neuronal activity to control local protein synthesis and ultimately synaptic plasticity. Moreover, we propose a framework of how neuronal RNA granules mature over time in healthy conditions and how they transition into pathological inclusions in the context of late-onset neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl E Bauer
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Bruna R de Queiroz
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Michael A Kiebler
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Florence Besse
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France.
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49
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Radford RAW, Rayner SL, Szwaja P, Morsch M, Cheng F, Zhu T, Widagdo J, Anggono V, Pountney DL, Chung R, Lee A. Identification of phosphorylated tau protein interactors in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) reveals networks involved in protein degradation, stress response, cytoskeletal dynamics, metabolic processes, and neurotransmission. J Neurochem 2023; 165:563-586. [PMID: 36847488 PMCID: PMC10953353 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease defined pathologically by the presence of insoluble phosphorylated-Tau (p-Tau) in neurons and glia. Identifying co-aggregating proteins within p-Tau inclusions may reveal important insights into processes affected by the aggregation of Tau. We used a proteomic approach, which combines antibody-mediated biotinylation and mass spectrometry (MS) to identify proteins proximal to p-Tau in PSP. Using this proof-of-concept workflow for identifying interacting proteins of interest, we characterized proteins proximal to p-Tau in PSP cases, identifying >84% of previously identified interaction partners of Tau and known modifiers of Tau aggregation, while 19 novel proteins not previously found associated with Tau were identified. Furthermore, our data also identified confidently assigned phosphorylation sites that have been previously reported on p-Tau. Additionally, using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and human RNA-seq datasets, we identified proteins previously associated with neurological disorders and pathways involved in protein degradation, stress responses, cytoskeletal dynamics, metabolism, and neurotransmission. Together, our study demonstrates the utility of biotinylation by antibody recognition (BAR) approach to answer a fundamental question to rapidly identify proteins in proximity to p-Tau from post-mortem tissue. The application of this workflow opens up the opportunity to identify novel protein targets to give us insight into the biological process at the onset and progression of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan A. W. Radford
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Stephanie L. Rayner
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Paulina Szwaja
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Marco Morsch
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Flora Cheng
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Tianyi Zhu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandQueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Jocelyn Widagdo
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandQueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Victor Anggono
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandQueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Dean L. Pountney
- School of Pharmacy and Medical SciencesGriffith UniversityQueenslandGold CoastAustralia
| | - Roger Chung
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
| | - Albert Lee
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease ResearchMacquarie Medical SchoolFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversityNew South WalesNorth RydeAustralia
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50
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Nam J, Gwon Y. Neuronal biomolecular condensates and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1145420. [PMID: 37065458 PMCID: PMC10102667 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1145420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular organizations where functionally related proteins and nucleic acids are assembled through liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing them to develop on a larger scale without a membrane. However, biomolecular condensates are highly vulnerable to disruptions from genetic risks and various factors inside and outside the cell and are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the classical view of the nucleation-polymerization process that triggers the protein aggregation from the misfolded seed, the pathologic transition of biomolecular condensates can also promote the aggregation of proteins found in the deposits of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that several protein or protein-RNA complexes located in the synapse and along the neuronal process are neuron-specific condensates displaying liquid-like properties. As their compositional and functional modifications play a crucial role in the context of neurodegeneration, further research is needed to fully understand the role of neuronal biomolecular condensates. In this article, we will discuss recent findings that explore the pivotal role of biomolecular condensates in the development of neuronal defects and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngdae Gwon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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