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Khan KM, Balasubramanian N, Gaudencio G, Wang R, Selvakumar GP, Kolling L, Pierson S, Tadinada SM, Abel T, Hefti M, Marcinkiewcz CA. Human tau-overexpressing mice recapitulate brainstem involvement and neuropsychiatric features of early Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:57. [PMID: 37009893 PMCID: PMC10069039 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01546-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses an ever-increasing public health concern as the population ages, affecting more than 6 million Americans. AD patients present with mood and sleep changes in the prodromal stages that may be partly driven by loss of monoaminergic neurons in the brainstem, but a causal relationship has not been firmly established. This is due in part to a dearth of animal models that recapitulate early AD neuropathology and symptoms. The goal of the present study was to evaluate depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model of AD that overexpresses human wild-type tau (htau) prior to the onset of cognitive impairments and assess these behavior changes in relationship to tau pathology, neuroinflammation, and monoaminergic dysregulation in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and locus coeruleus (LC). We observed depressive-like behaviors at 4 months in both sexes and hyperlocomotion in male htau mice. Deficits in social interaction persisted at 6 months and were accompanied by an increase in anxiety-like behavior in males. The behavioral changes at 4 months coincided with a lower density of serotonergic (5-HT) neurons, downregulation of 5-HT markers, reduced excitability of 5-HT neurons, and hyperphosphorylated tau in the DRN. Inflammatory markers were also upregulated in the DRN along with protein kinases and transglutaminase 2, which may promote tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Loss of 5-HT innervation to the entorhinal cortex and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was also observed and may have contributed to depressive-like behaviors. There was also reduced expression of noradrenergic markers in the LC along with elevated phospho-tau expression, but this did not translate to a functional change in neuronal excitability. In total, these results suggest that tau pathology in brainstem monoaminergic nuclei and the resulting loss of serotonergic and/or noradrenergic drive may underpin depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in the early stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanza M Khan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Psychological Sciences Department, Daemen University, Amherst, NY, 14226, USA
| | - Nagalakshmi Balasubramanian
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Gabriel Gaudencio
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Ruixiang Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | | | - Louis Kolling
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Samantha Pierson
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Satya M Tadinada
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Marco Hefti
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Catherine A Marcinkiewcz
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-430 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Khalil W, Tiraihi T, Soleimani M, Baheiraei N, Zibara K. Conversion of Neural Stem Cells into Functional Neuron-Like Cells by MicroRNA-218: Differential Expression of Functionality Genes. Neurotox Res 2020; 38:707-722. [PMID: 32696438 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into neuron-like cells (NLC) is a feasible cell therapy strategy for replacing lost neurons in neuronal disorders. In this study, adipose-derived MSC (ADMSC) were converted into neural stem cells (NSC) via neurosphere. The resulting NSC were then differentiated into NLC by transduction with microRNA-218, using a lentiviral vector. ADMSC, NSC, and NLC were first characterized by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and immunocytochemistry. The functionality of the NLC was evaluated by qRT-PCR and patch clamp recording. Immunophenotyping of ADMSC showed their immunoreactivity to MSC markers CD90, CD73, CD105, and CD49d, but not to CD31 and CD45. RT-PCR results demonstrated the expression of nestin, neurogenin, neurod1, neurofilament light, and GAP43 genes in NSC while NLC expressed synaptophysin, neurofilament heavy, and GAP43. In addition, NSC morphology changed into multipolar with long processes after transduction with miR-218. Moreover, using qRT-PCR, the expression levels of miR-218 and functionality genes CACNA1C, SNAP25, KCNH1, KCNMA1, and SCN9A were significantly increased in NLC, compared with NSC, and ADMSC at 3 weeks and 5 months post-transduction. Furthermore, the generated NLC expressed significantly higher protein levels of neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NFh) and enolase 2 (Eno2) neuronal markers, compared with ADMSC and NSC. Finally, action potentials were successfully recorded by the generated NLC, using patch clamp. In summary, ADMSC-derived NSC differentiated into functional NLC by transduction with miR-218. The generated NLC expressed functional SNAP25, CACNA1C, KCNH1, KCNMA1, and SCN9A and produced an action potential, which provides useful insights into the generation of functional neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wissam Khalil
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taki Tiraihi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Baheiraei
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Zibara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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3
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André W, Nondier I, Valensi M, Guillonneau F, Federici C, Hoffner G, Djian P. Identification of brain substrates of transglutaminase by functional proteomics supports its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 101:40-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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4
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Gaetano Gatta N, Romano R, Fioretti E, Gentile V. Transglutaminase inhibition: possible therapeutic mechanisms to protect cells from death in neurological disorders. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2017.4.399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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5
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Gaetano Gatta N, Cammarota G, Gentile V. Possible roles of transglutaminases in molecular mechanisms responsible for human neurodegenerative diseases. AIMS BIOPHYSICS 2016. [DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2016.4.529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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6
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Serretiello E, Iannaccone M, Titta F, G. Gatta N, Gentile V. Possible pathophysiological roles of transglutaminase-catalyzed reactions in the pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases. AIMS BIOPHYSICS 2015. [DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2015.4.441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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7
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Tiboldi A, Lentini A, Provenzano B, Tabolacci C, Höger H, Beninati S, Lubec G. Hippocampal polyamine levels and transglutaminase activity are paralleling spatial memory retrieval in the C57BL/6J mouse. Hippocampus 2012; 22:1068-74. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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8
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Transglutaminase 2: biology, relevance to neurodegenerative diseases and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 133:392-410. [PMID: 22212614 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the aggregation of disease-specific pathogenic proteins in hallmark neuropathologic lesions. Many of these proteins, including amyloid Αβ, tau, α-synuclein and huntingtin, are cross-linked by the enzymatic activity of transglutaminase 2 (TG2). Additionally, the expression and activity of TG2 is increased in affected brain regions in these disorders. These observations along with experimental evidence in cellular and mouse models suggest that TG2 can contribute to the abnormal aggregation of disease causing proteins and consequently to neuronal damage. This accumulating evidence has provided the impetus to develop inhibitors of TG2 as possible neuroprotective agents. However, TG2 has other enzymatic activities in addition to its cross-linking function and can modulate multiple cellular processes including apoptosis, autophagy, energy production, synaptic function, signal transduction and transcription regulation. These diverse properties must be taken into consideration in designing TG2 inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry of TG2, its various physiologic functions and our current understanding about its role in degenerative diseases of the brain. We also describe the different approaches to designing TG2 inhibitors that could be developed as potential disease-modifying therapies.
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Gentile V. Physiopathological roles of human transglutaminase 2. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 78:47-95. [PMID: 22220472 DOI: 10.1002/9781118105771.ch2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Gentile
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Medical School, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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10
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Nemes Z. Effects and Analysis of Transglutamination on Protein Aggregation and Clearance in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY - AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 78:347-83. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118105771.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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11
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Martin A, Giuliano A, Collaro D, De Vivo G, Sedia C, Serretiello E, Gentile V. Possible involvement of transglutaminase-catalyzed reactions in the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Amino Acids 2011; 44:111-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1081-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Martin A, De Vivo G, Gentile V. Possible role of the transglutaminases in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2011; 2011:865432. [PMID: 21350675 PMCID: PMC3042675 DOI: 10.4061/2011/865432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminases are ubiquitous enzymes which catalyze posttranslational modifications of proteins. Recently, transglutaminase-catalyzed post-translational modification of proteins has been shown to be involved in the molecular mechanisms responsible for human diseases. Transglutaminase activity has been hypothesized to be involved also in the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for several human neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, and other polyglutamine diseases, are characterized in part by aberrant cerebral transglutaminase activity and by increased cross-linked proteins in affected brains. This paper focuses on the possible molecular mechanisms by which transglutaminase activity could be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and on the possible therapeutic effects of selective transglutaminase inhibitors for the cure of patients with diseases characterized by aberrant transglutaminase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Martin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Second University of Naples, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
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13
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Potent transglutaminase inhibitors, dithio β-aminoethyl ketones. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2011; 21:377-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.10.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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14
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Zhang L, Gavin T, DeCaprio AP, LoPachin RM. Gamma-diketone axonopathy: analyses of cytoskeletal motors and highways in CNS myelinated axons. Toxicol Sci 2010; 117:180-9. [PMID: 20554699 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
2,5-Hexanedione (HD) intoxication is associated with axon atrophy that might be responsible for the characteristic gait abnormalities, hindlimb skeletal muscle weakness and other neurological deficits that accompany neurotoxicity. Although previous mechanistic research focused on neurofilament triplet proteins (NFL, NFM, NFH), other cytoskeletal targets are possible. Therefore, to identify potential non-NF protein targets, we characterized the effects of HD on protein-protein interactions in cosedimentation assays using microtubules and NFs prepared from spinal cord of rats intoxicated at different daily dose rates (175 and 400 mg/kg/day). Results indicate that HD did not alter the presence of alpha- or beta-tubulins in these preparations, nor were changes noted in the distribution of either anterograde (KIF1A, KIF3, KIF5) or retrograde (dynein) molecular motors. The cosedimentation of dynactin, a dynein-associated protein, also was not affected. Immunoblot analysis of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in microtubule preparations revealed substantial reductions (45-80%) in MAP1A, MAP1B heavy chain, MAP2, and tau regardless of HD dose rate. MAP1B light chain content was not altered. Finally, HD intoxication did not influence native NF protein content in either preparation. As per previous research, microtubule and NF preparations were enriched in high-molecular weight NF species. However, these NF derivatives were common to both HD and control samples, suggesting a lack of pathognomonic relevance. These data indicate that, although motor proteins were not affected, HD selectively impaired MAP-microtubule binding, presumably through adduction of lysine residues that mediate such interactions. Given their critical role in cytoskeletal physiology, MAPs could represent a relevant target for the induction of gamma-diketone axonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihai Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467-2490, USA
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15
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Ricotta M, Iannuzzi M, Vivo GD, Gentile V. Physio-pathological roles of transglutaminase-catalyzed reactions. World J Biol Chem 2010; 1:181-7. [PMID: 21541002 PMCID: PMC3083958 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i5.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2010] [Revised: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/14/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGs) are a large family of related and ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze post-translational modifications of proteins. The main activity of these enzymes is the cross-linking of a glutaminyl residue of a protein/peptide substrate to a lysyl residue of a protein/peptide co-substrate. In addition to lysyl residues, other second nucleophilic co-substrates may include monoamines or polyamines (to form mono- or bi-substituted /crosslinked adducts) or -OH groups (to form ester linkages). In the absence of co-substrates, the nucleophile may be water, resulting in the net deamidation of the glutaminyl residue. The TG enzymes are also capable of catalyzing other reactions important for cell viability. The distribution and the physiological roles of TG enzymes have been widely studied in numerous cell types and tissues and their roles in several diseases have begun to be identified. “Tissue” TG (TG2), a member of the TG family of enzymes, has definitely been shown to be involved in the molecular mechanisms responsible for a very widespread human pathology: i.e. celiac disease (CD). TG activity has also been hypothesized to be directly involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for several other human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, which are often associated with CD. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, supranuclear palsy, Huntington’s disease and other recently identified polyglutamine diseases, are characterized, in part, by aberrant cerebral TG activity and by increased cross-linked proteins in affected brains. In this review, we discuss the physio-pathological role of TG-catalyzed reactions, with particular interest in the molecular mechanisms that could involve these enzymes in the physio-pathological processes responsible for human neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Ricotta
- Mariangela Ricotta, Maura Iannuzzi, Giulia De Vivo, Vittorio Gentile, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Medical School, Second University of Naples, via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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16
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Ozaki S, Ebisui E, Hamada K, Goto JI, Suzuki AZ, Terauchi A, Mikoshiba K. Potent transglutaminase inhibitors, aryl β-aminoethyl ketones. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:1141-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2009] [Revised: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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17
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Citron BA, Zoloty JE, Suo Z, Festoff BW. Tissue transglutaminase during mouse central nervous system development: lack of alternative RNA processing and implications for its role(s) in murine models of neurotrauma and neurodegeneration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 135:122-33. [PMID: 15857675 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2004] [Revised: 11/17/2004] [Accepted: 12/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a member of a multigene family principally involved in catalyzing the formation of protein cross-links. Unlike other members of the transglutaminase family, tTG is multifunctional since it also serves as a guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding protein (Galpha(h)) and participates in cell adhesion. Different isoforms of tTG can be produced by proteolysis or alternative splicing. We find that tTG mRNA is expressed at low levels in the mouse CNS relative to other tissues, and at lower levels in the CNS of mouse in comparison to that of human or rat. tTG mRNA levels are higher in the heart compared to the CNS, for example, and much higher in the liver. Within the CNS, tTG message is lowest in the adult cerebellum and thalamus and highest in the frontal cortex and striatum. In the hippocampus, tTG expression is highest during embryonic development and falls off dramatically after 1 week of life. We did not find alternative splicing of the mouse tTG. At the protein level, the predominant isoform is approximately 62 kDa. In summary, tTG, an important factor in neuronal survival, is expressed at low levels in the mouse CNS and, unlike rat and human tTG, does not appear to be regulated by alternative splicing. These findings have implications for analyses of rodent tTG expression in human neurodegenerative and neurotrauma models where alternative processing may be an attractive pathogenetic mechanism. They further impact on drug discovery paradigms, where modulation of activity may have therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Citron
- Molecular Biology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
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18
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Duval E, Case A, Stein RL, Cuny GD. Structure–activity relationship study of novel tissue transglutaminase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:1885-9. [PMID: 15780627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2004] [Revised: 02/01/2005] [Accepted: 02/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one acylhydrazide derivatives were discovered as moderately potent inhibitors of TGase 2 (tissue transglutaminase) utilizing a fluorescence-based assay that measured TGase 2 catalyzed incorporation of the dansylated Lys derivative alpha-N-Boc-Lys-CH(2)-CH(2)-dansyl into the protein substrate N,N-dimethylated-casein. A SAR study revealed that the acylhydrazide thioether side-chain and the thiophene ring were critical to inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Duval
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Harvard Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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19
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Nemes Z, Devreese B, Steinert PM, Van Beeumen J, Fésüs L. Cross-linking of ubiquitin, HSP27, parkin, and alpha-synuclein by gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine bonds in Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles. FASEB J 2004; 18:1135-7. [PMID: 15132984 DOI: 10.1096/fj.04-1493fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of misfolded proteins in intracellular inclusions is a generic feature of neurodegenerative disorders. Although heavily ubiquitylated, the aggregated proteins are not degraded by the proteasomes. A possible reason for this phenomenon may be a modification of deposited proteins by transglutaminases forming gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine (GGEL) cross-links between distinct proteins. Here, we show that the frequency of GGEL cross-links is an order of magnitude higher in Alzheimer's brain cortex than in age-matched or younger controls. This difference is due to the accumulation of GGEL cross-links in ubiquitin-immunopositive protein particles present in both Alzheimer's brains and those from aged individuals. The highly cross-linked protein aggregates show immunoreactivity to antibodies against tau and neurofilament proteins, and partially also to alpha-synuclein, indicating that these structures are inherent in Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles and Lewy bodies. Using mass sequence analysis, we identified the same six pairs of peptide sequences cross-linked in both senile and Alzheimer's specimens: Gln31 and Gln190 of HSP27 protein are cross-linked with Lys29 and Lys48 of ubiquitin and HSP27 therefore may cross-link two (poly)ubiquitin chains. One lysine residue of parkin and one of alpha-synuclein were also found to be cross-linked. The data suggest that cross-linking of (poly)ubiquitin moieties via HSP27 may have a role in the stabilization of the intraneuronal protein aggregates by interference with the proteasomal elimination of unfolded proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Nemes
- Department of Psychiatry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Research Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
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Festoff BW, Suo Z, Citron BA. Prospects for the pharmacotherapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : old strategies and new paradigms for the third millennium. CNS Drugs 2003; 17:699-717. [PMID: 12873154 DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200317100-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Biomedical researchers interested in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) must invoke newly developing technologies if we are to discover pharmaceutical treatments that will help a significant population of patients with the disease. The focus of ALS research over the last 10 years has been on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutamate excitotoxicity, resulting in several clinical trials and the launch of the only drug currently available for the treatment of ALS, riluzole. Unfortunately, the therapeutic benefits have been minimal, at best, and the prognosis for patients with ALS has not improved beyond very modest retardation of the disease course. By emphasising ROS and glutamate excitotoxicity, current ALS research has only partially been able to attenuate the rate of motor decline and neuronal loss associated with this illness. Clues to additional therapeutic potentialities will come from an increased understanding of the mode of cell death (apoptotic or other) and the pathways leading to neuronal demise. If death is apoptotic, inhibiting caspases may be useful. The regulatory modifications for cell death at the molecular level remain to be determined and exploited to prevent neuronal loss, although novel pathways have been recently elucidated that impact on protein aggregation and processing. Oxidative stress, seen in both familial and sporadic forms of ALS, may be only one post-translational mechanism likely to affect specific proteins essential for the health and stability of motor neurons. Protein cross-linking by transglutaminase paralleling that may lead to defects in proteasome function may also be a significant mechanism. The latest capabilities to screen protein changes in specific cells represent the kinds of advances needed to combat ALS in the third millennium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry W Festoff
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Heartland Veterans Integrated Service Network, Kansas City, Missouri 64128, USA.
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Bonelli RM, Aschoff A, Jirikowski G. Cerebrospinal fluid tissue transglutaminase in vascular dementia. J Neurol Sci 2002; 203-204:207-9. [PMID: 12417385 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tTG), an indicator of acute cell death, is found in brains of Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease patients. tTG, as a specific marker for apoptosis, may therefore be a powerful biochemical marker of the acute degenerating process in vivo and may be useful in discrimination between vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It may serve as completion of CSF analysis in diagnosis of dementing disorders and be a simple way of assessing the efficacy of possible new anti-apoptotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael M Bonelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Hospital BHB Eggenberg, Bergstrasse 27, A-8021 Graz, Austria.
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Bonelli RM, Aschoff A, Niederwieser G, Heuberger C, Jirikowski G. Cerebrospinal fluid tissue transglutaminase as a biochemical marker for Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2002; 11:106-10. [PMID: 12460550 DOI: 10.1006/nbdi.2002.0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is an indicator of acute cell death in vitro. An increase in tTG protein level is found in postmortem Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains as well as in Huntington's disease. No study revealed tTG in vivo so far. We investigated the concentrations of tTG in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from 84 patients using ELISA assays. We compared 33 patients with probable AD to 18 patients with probable vascular dementia (VaD) and 33 control patients without neuropsychological deficit. Diagnosis was supported by CSF parameter and neuroimaging. We found a highly significant difference (P = 0.001) between the concentration of tTG in the AD groups (7.58 pg/ml) and controls (2.99 pg/ml). There was no statistical difference between controls and VaD (2.93 pg/ml). Interestingly, tTG did not show an association with tau protein, Abeta42, apoE4, neuropsychological items, or age. Males showed lower tTG values than females; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that tTG is increased in AD in vivo. Our results suggest that tTG may be a powerful biochemical marker of the acute degenerating process in vivo. It may serve as completion of CSF analysis in the diagnosis of dementing disorders and may be a simple way of assessing the efficacy of possible new antiapoptotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael M Bonelli
- Department of Neurology & Psychiatry, Hospital BHB Eggenberg, Bergstrasse 27, A-8021 Graz, Austria.
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Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an inducible transamidating acyltransferase that catalyzes Ca(2+)-dependent protein modifications. It acts as a G protein in transmembrane signalling and as a cell surface adhesion mediator, this distinguishes it from other members of the transglutaminase family. The sequence motifs and domains revealed in the recent TG2 structure, can each be assigned distinct cellular functions, including the regulation of cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and cell death. Ablation of TG2 in mice results in impaired wound healing, autoimmunity and diabetes, reflecting the number and variety of TG2 functions. An important role for the enzyme in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease, fibrosis and neurodegenerative disorders has also been demonstrated, making TG2 an important therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laszlo Fesus
- Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary.
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