1
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Song Z, Wang KW, Hagar HTC, Chen HR, Kuan CY, Zhang K, Kuo MH. Hyperphosphorylated Tau Inflicts Intracellular Stress Responses that Are Mitigated by Apomorphine. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2653-2671. [PMID: 37919601 PMCID: PMC11043184 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03689-x] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-binding protein tau in the brain is a key pathological marker for Alzheimer's disease and additional neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, how hyperphosphorylated tau causes cellular dysfunction or death that underlies neurodegeneration remains an unsolved question critical for the understanding of disease mechanism and the design of efficacious drugs. Using a recombinant hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) synthesized by the PIMAX approach, we examined how cells responded to the cytotoxic tau and explored means to enhance cellular resistance to tau attack. Upon p-tau uptake, the intracellular calcium levels rose promptly. Gene expression analyses revealed that p-tau potently triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), ER stress-associated apoptosis, and pro-inflammation in cells. Proteomics studies showed that p-tau diminished heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an ER stress-associated anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress regulator, while stimulated the accumulation of MIOS and other proteins. p-Tau-induced ER stress-associated apoptosis and pro-inflammation are ameliorated by apomorphine, a brain-permeable prescription drug widely used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms, and by overexpression of HO-1. Our results reveal probable cellular functions targeted by hyperphosphorylated tau. Some of these dysfunctions and stress responses have been linked to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The observations that the ill effects of p-tau can be mitigated by a small compound and by overexpressing HO-1 that is otherwise diminished in the treated cells inform new directions of Alzheimer's disease drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Song
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Kuang-Wei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Hsiao-Tien Chien Hagar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Hong-Ru Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Present address: Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, 112304
| | - Chia-Yi Kuan
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Kezhong Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Min-Hao Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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2
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Sahara N, Higuchi M. Diagnostic and therapeutic targeting of pathological tau proteins in neurodegenerative disorders. FEBS Open Bio 2024; 14:165-180. [PMID: 37746832 PMCID: PMC10839408 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13711] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies, characterized by fibrillar tau accumulation in neurons and glial cells, constitute a major neuropathological category of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurofibrillary tau lesions are strongly associated with cognitive deficits in these diseases, but the causal mechanisms underlying tau-induced neuronal dysfunction remain unresolved. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy examination have revealed various core structures of tau filaments from different tauopathy patients, which can be used to classify tauopathies. In vivo visualization of tau pathology is now available using several tau positron emission tomography tracers. Among these radioprobes, PM-PBB3 allows high-contrast imaging of tau deposits in the brains of patients with diverse disorders and tauopathy mouse models. Selective degradation of pathological tau species by the ubiquitin-proteasome system or autophagy machinery is a potential therapeutic strategy. Alternatively, the non-cell-autonomous clearance of pathological tau species through neuron-glia networks could be reinforced as a disease-modifying treatment. In addition, the development of neuroinflammatory biomarkers is required for understanding the contribution of immunocompetent cells in the brain to preventing neurodegeneration. This review provides an overview of the current research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents targeting divergent tau pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naruhiko Sahara
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute for Quantum Medical SciencesNational Institutes for Quantum Science and TechnologyChibaJapan
| | - Makoto Higuchi
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute for Quantum Medical SciencesNational Institutes for Quantum Science and TechnologyChibaJapan
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3
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Walker L, Attems J. Prevalence of Concomitant Pathologies in Parkinson's Disease: Implications for Prognosis, Diagnosis, and Insights into Common Pathogenic Mechanisms. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2024; 14:35-52. [PMID: 38143370 PMCID: PMC10836576 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230154] [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: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Pathologies characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (i.e., hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques), cardiovascular disease, and limbic predominant TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) often co-exist in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), in addition to Lewy body pathology (α-synuclein). Numerous studies point to a putative synergistic relationship between hyperphosphorylation tau, Aβ, cardiovascular lesions, and TDP-43 with α-synuclein, which may alter the stereotypical pattern of pathological progression and accelerate cognitive decline. Here we discuss the prevalence and relationships between common concomitant pathologies observed in PD. In addition, we highlight shared genetic risk factors and developing biomarkers that may provide better diagnostic accuracy for patients with PD that have co-existing pathologies. The tremendous heterogeneity observed across the PD spectrum is most likely caused by the complex interplay between pathogenic, genetic, and environmental factors, and increasing our understanding of how these relate to idiopathic PD will drive research into finding accurate diagnostic tools and disease modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Walker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Johannes Attems
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
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4
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Roth JR, Rush T, Thompson SJ, Aldaher AR, Dunn TB, Mesina JS, Cochran JN, Boyle NR, Dean HB, Yang Z, Pathak V, Ruiz P, Wu M, Day JJ, Bostwick JR, Suto MJ, Augelli-Szafran CE, Roberson ED. Development of small-molecule Tau-SH3 interaction inhibitors that prevent amyloid-β toxicity and network hyperexcitability. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00291. [PMID: 38241154 PMCID: PMC10903085 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.10.001] [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] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and lacks highly effective treatments. Tau-based therapies hold promise. Tau reduction prevents amyloid-β-induced dysfunction in preclinical models of AD and also prevents amyloid-β-independent dysfunction in diverse disease models, especially those with network hyperexcitability, suggesting that strategies exploiting the mechanisms underlying Tau reduction may extend beyond AD. Tau binds several SH3 domain-containing proteins implicated in AD via its central proline-rich domain. We previously used a peptide inhibitor to demonstrate that blocking Tau interactions with SH3 domain-containing proteins ameliorates amyloid-β-induced dysfunction. Here, we identify a top hit from high-throughput screening for small molecules that inhibit Tau-FynSH3 interactions and describe its optimization with medicinal chemistry. The resulting lead compound is a potent cell-permeable Tau-SH3 interaction inhibitor that binds Tau and prevents amyloid-β-induced dysfunction, including network hyperexcitability. These data support the potential of using small molecule Tau-SH3 interaction inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Roth
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Travis Rush
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Samantha J Thompson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adam R Aldaher
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Trae B Dunn
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jacob S Mesina
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - J Nicholas Cochran
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nicholas R Boyle
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hunter B Dean
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Zhengrong Yang
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Vibha Pathak
- Chemistry Department, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pedro Ruiz
- Chemistry Department, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mousheng Wu
- Chemistry Department, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jeremy J Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Mark J Suto
- Chemistry Department, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Erik D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Murphy KT, Lynch GS. Impaired skeletal muscle health in Parkinsonian syndromes: clinical implications, mechanisms and potential treatments. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2023; 14:1987-2002. [PMID: 37574254 PMCID: PMC10570091 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that neurodegenerative disorders including the Parkinsonian syndromes are associated with impaired skeletal muscle health, manifesting as wasting and weakness. Many of the movement problems, lack of muscle strength and reduction in quality of life that are characteristic of these syndromes can be attributed to impairments in skeletal muscle health, but this concept has been grossly understudied and represents an important area of unmet clinical need. This review describes the changes in skeletal muscle health in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in two atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, the most aggressive synucleinopathy multiple system atrophy, and the tauopathy progressive supranuclear palsy. The pathogenesis of the skeletal muscle changes is described, including the contribution of impairments to the central and peripheral nervous system and intrinsic alterations. Pharmacological interventions targeting the underlying molecular mechanisms with therapeutic potential to improve skeletal muscle health in affected patients are also discussed. Although little is known about the mechanisms underlying these conditions, current evidence implicates multiple pathways and processes, highlighting the likely need for combination therapies to protect muscle health and emphasizing the merit of personalized interventions for patients with different physical capacities at different stages of their disease. As muscle fatigue is often experienced by patients prior to diagnosis, the identification and measurement of this symptom and related biomarkers to identify early signs of disease require careful interrogation, especially for multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy where diagnosis is often made several years after onset of symptoms and only confirmed post-mortem. We propose a multidisciplinary approach for early diagnosis and implementation of personalized interventions to preserve muscle health and improve quality of life for patients with typical and atypical Parkinsonian syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate T. Murphy
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Centre for Muscle ResearchThe University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Gordon S. Lynch
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Centre for Muscle ResearchThe University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
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Frost B. Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies: disorders of disrupted neuronal identity. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:797-813. [PMID: 37591720 PMCID: PMC10528597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmitotic neurons require persistently active controls to maintain terminal differentiation. Unlike dividing cells, aberrant cell cycle activation in mature neurons causes apoptosis rather than transformation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies, evidence suggests that pathogenic forms of tau drive neurodegeneration via neuronal cell cycle re-entry. Multiple interconnected mechanisms linking tau to cell cycle activation have been identified, including, but not limited to, tau-induced overstabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, consequent changes to nuclear architecture, and disruption of heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Cancer- and development-associated pathways are upregulated in human and cellular models of tauopathy, and many tau-induced cellular phenotypes are also present in various cancers and progenitor/stem cells. In this review, I delve into mechanistic parallels between tauopathies, cancer, and development, and highlight the role of tau in cancer and in the developing brain. Based on these studies, I put forth a model by which pathogenic forms of tau disrupt the program that maintains terminal neuronal differentiation, driving cell cycle re-entry and consequent neuronal death. This framework presents tauopathies as conditions involving the profound toxic disruption of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann 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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Benskey MJ, Panoushek S, Saito T, Saido TC, Grabinski T, Kanaan NM. Behavioral and neuropathological characterization over the adult lifespan of the human tau knock-in mouse. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1265151. [PMID: 37842124 PMCID: PMC10576558 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1265151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein with a diverse functional repertoire linked to neurodegenerative disease. Recently, a human tau knock-in (MAPT KI) mouse was developed that may overcome many limitations associated with current animal models used to study tau. In MAPT KI mice, the entire murine Mapt gene was replaced with the human MAPT gene under control of the endogenous Mapt promoter. This model represents an ideal in vivo platform to study the function and dysfunction of human tau protein. Accordingly, a detailed understanding of the effects MAPT KI has on structure and function of the CNS is warranted. Here, we provide a detailed behavioral and neuropathological assessment of MAPT KI mice. We compared MAPT KI to wild-type (WT) C57BL/6j mice in behavioral assessments of anxiety, attention, working memory, spatial memory, and motor performance from 6 to 24 months (m) of age. Using immunohistological and biochemical assays, we quantified markers of glia (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), synaptic integrity, neuronal integrity and the cytoskeleton. Finally, we quantified levels of total tau, tau isoforms, tau phosphorylation, and tau conformations. MAPT KI mice show normal cognitive and locomotor behavior at all ages, and resilience to mild age-associated locomotor deficits observed in WT mice. Markers of neuronal and synaptic integrity are unchanged in MAPT KI mice with advancing age. Glial markers are largely unchanged in MAPT KI mice, but glial fibrillary acidic protein is increased in the hippocampus of WT and MAPT KI mice at 24 m. MAPT KI mice express all 6 human tau isoforms and levels of tau remain stable throughout adulthood. Hippocampal tau in MAPT KI and WT mice is phosphorylated at serine 396/404 (PHF1) and murine tau in WT animals displays more PHF1 phosphorylation at 6 and 12 m. Lastly, we extended previous reports showing that MAPT KI mice do not display overt pathology. No evidence of other tau phosphorylation residues (AT8, pS422) or abnormal conformations (TNT2 or TOC1) associated with pathogenic tau were detected. The lack of overt pathological changes in MAPT KI mice make this an ideal platform for future investigations into the function and dysfunction of tau protein in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Benskey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Spencer Panoushek
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, Riken Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, Riken Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Tessa Grabinski
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Song Z, Wang KW, Hagar HTC, Chen HR, Kuan CY, Zhang K, Kuo MH. Hyperphosphorylated tau Inflicts Intracellular Stress Responses That Are Mitigated by Apomorphine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.13.540661. [PMID: 37292976 PMCID: PMC10245566 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.13.540661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-binding protein tau in the brain is a key pathological marker for Alzheimer's disease and additional neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, how hyperphosphorylated tau causes cellular dysfunction or death that underlie neurodegeneration remains an unsolved question critical for the understanding of disease mechanism and the design of efficacious drugs. Methods Using a recombinant hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) synthesized by the PIMAX approach, we examined how cells responded to the cytotoxic tau and explored means to enhance cellular resistance to tau attack. Results Upon p-tau uptake, the intracellular calcium levels rose promptly. Gene expression analyses revealed that p-tau potently triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), ER stress-associated apoptosis, and pro-inflammation in cells. Proteomics studies showed that p-tau diminished heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an ER stress associated anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress regulator, while stimulated the accumulation of MIOS and other proteins. P-tau-induced ER stress-associated apoptosis and pro-inflammation are ameliorated by apomorphine, a brain-permeable prescription drug widely used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms, and by overexpression of HO-1. Conclusion Our results reveal probable cellular functions targeted by hyperphosphorylated tau. Some of these dysfunctions and stress responses have been linked to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The observations that the ill effects of p-tau can be mitigated by a small compound and by overexpressing HO-1 that is otherwise diminished in the treated cells inform new directions of Alzheimer's disease drug discovery.
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Altendorf T, Gering I, Santiago-Schübel B, Aghabashlou Saisan S, Tamgüney G, Tusche M, Honold D, Schemmert S, Hoyer W, Mohrlüder J, Willbold D. Stabilization of Monomeric Tau Protein by All D-Enantiomeric Peptide Ligands as Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032161. [PMID: 36768484 PMCID: PMC9917023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies are the world's leading causes of dementia and memory loss. These diseases are thought to be caused by the misfolding and aggregation of the intracellular tau protein, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. The tau protein is involved in a multitude of different neurodegenerative diseases. During the onset of tauopathies, tau undergoes structural changes and posttranslational modifications and aggregates into amyloid fibrils that are able to spread with a prion-like behavior. Up to now, there is no therapeutic agent which effectively controls or reverses the disease. Most of the therapeutics that were developed and underwent clinical trials targeted misfolded or aggregated forms of tau. In the current manuscript, we present the selection and characterization of two all D-enantiomeric peptides that bind monomeric tau protein with a low nanomolar KD, stabilize tau in its monomeric intrinsically disordered conformation, and stop the conversion of monomers into aggregates. We show that the effect of the two all D-enantiomeric peptides is strong enough to stop ongoing tau aggregation in vitro and is able to significantly reduce tau fibril assembly in cell culture. Both compounds may serve as new lead components for the development of therapeutic agents against Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Altendorf
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Beatrix Santiago-Schübel
- Zentralinstitut für Engineering, Elektronik und Analytik, ZEA-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Selma Aghabashlou Saisan
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Gültekin Tamgüney
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Markus Tusche
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Dominik Honold
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Sarah Schemmert
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hoyer
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jeannine Mohrlüder
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (D.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-613518 (J.M.); +49-2461-612100 (D.W.)
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institut für Biologische Informationsprozesse, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (D.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-613518 (J.M.); +49-2461-612100 (D.W.)
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10
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Yuan A, Nixon RA. Posttranscriptional regulation of neurofilament proteins and tau in health and disease. Brain Res Bull 2023; 192:115-127. [PMID: 36441047 PMCID: PMC9907725 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilament and tau proteins are neuron-specific cytoskeletal proteins that are enriched in axons, regulated by many of the same protein kinases, interact physically, and are the principal constituents of neurofibrillary lesions in major adult-onset dementias. Both proteins share functions related to the modulation of stability and functions of the microtubule network in axons, axonal transport and scaffolding of organelles, long-term synaptic potentiation, and learning and memory. Expression of these proteins is regulated not only at the transcriptional level but also through posttranscriptional control of pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA stability, transport, localization, local translation and degradation. Current evidence suggests that posttranscriptional determinants of their levels are usually regulated by RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs primarily through 3'-untranslated regions of neurofilament and tau mRNAs. Dysregulations of neurofilament and tau expression caused by mutations or pathologies of RNA-binding proteins such as TDP43, FUS and microRNAs are increasingly recognized in association with varied neurological disorders. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of posttranscriptional control of neurofilament and tau by examining the posttranscriptional regulation of neurofilament and tau by RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs implicated in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidong Yuan
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Ralph A. Nixon
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA,Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Cell Biology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Correspondence to: Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA, (A. Yuan), (R.A. Nixon)
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11
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Zhu Y, Gandy L, Zhang F, Liu J, Wang C, Blair LJ, Linhardt RJ, Wang L. Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Tauopathy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1792. [PMID: 36551220 PMCID: PMC9776397 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and are characterized by intraneuronal tau inclusion in the brain and the patient's cognitive decline with obscure pathogenesis. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a major type of extracellular matrix, have been believed to involve in tauopathies. The heparan sulfate proteoglycans co-deposit with tau in Alzheimer's patient brain, directly bind to tau and modulate tau secretion, internalization, and aggregation. This review summarizes the current understanding of the functions and the modulated molecular pathways of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in tauopathies, as well as the implication of dysregulated heparan sulfate proteoglycan expression in tau pathology and the potential of targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycan-tau interaction as a novel therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lauren Gandy
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Laura J. Blair
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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12
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Stock AJ, McDevitt RA, Puligilla C, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang K, Sun C, Becker KG, Lehrmann E, Wood WH, Gong Y, Aqdas M, Sung MH, Hoffmann V, Liu C, Gorospe M, Harrington L, Ferrucci L, Liu Y. Aberrant expression and localization of the RAP1 shelterin protein contribute to age-related phenotypes. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010506. [PMID: 36441670 PMCID: PMC9704629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Short telomeres induce a DNA damage response (DDR) that evokes apoptosis and senescence in human cells. An extant question is the contribution of telomere dysfunction-induced DDR to the phenotypes observed in aging and telomere biology disorders. One candidate is RAP1, a telomere-associated protein that also controls transcription at extratelomeric regions. To distinguish these roles, we generated a knockin mouse carrying a mutated Rap1, which was incapable of binding telomeres and did not result in eroded telomeres or a DDR. Primary Rap1 knockin embryonic fibroblasts showed decreased RAP1 expression and re-localization away from telomeres, with an increased cytosolic distribution akin to that observed in human fibroblasts undergoing telomere erosion. Rap1 knockin mice were viable, but exhibited transcriptomic alterations, proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine signaling, reduced lifespan, and decreased healthspan with increased body weight/fasting blood glucose levels, spontaneous tumor incidence, and behavioral deficits. Taken together, our data present mechanisms distinct from telomere-induced DDR that underlie age-related phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Stock
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ross A. McDevitt
- Comparative Medicine Section, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chandrakala Puligilla
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yajun Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yongqing Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kun Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chongkui Sun
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin G. Becker
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elin Lehrmann
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - William H. Wood
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yi Gong
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Aqdas
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Myong-Hee Sung
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Victoria Hoffmann
- Division of Veterinary Resources, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chengyu Liu
- Transgenic Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lea Harrington
- Institute for Research in Immunology & Cancer, Marcelle-Coutu Pavilion, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yie Liu
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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The prevention of home-cage grid climbing affects muscle strength in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15263. [PMID: 36088409 PMCID: PMC9464241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractExperimenters and treatment methods are the major contributors to data variability in behavioral neuroscience. However, home cage characteristics are likely associated with data variability. Mice housed in breeding cages spontaneously exhibit behavioral patterns such as biting into the wire grid and climbing on the grid lid. We aimed to clarify the effect of covering the stainless steel wire grid lid in commonly used home cage with Plexiglas to prevent climbing on muscle strength in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of climbing prevention on activity and anxiety-like behavior, and the impact of climbing prevention during the postnatal development period and adulthood on muscle strength. Muscle strength, anxiety-like behavior, and locomotor activity were assessed by a battery of tests (wire hang, suspension, grip strength, rotarod, elevated-plus maze, and open field tests). Mice prevented from climbing the wire grid during postnatal development displayed lower muscle strength than those able to climb. Moreover, mice prevented from climbing for 3 weeks following maturity had weakened muscles. The muscle strength was decreased with 3 weeks of climbing prevention in even 1-year-old mice. In summary, the stainless steel wire grid in the home cage contributed to the development and maintenance of muscle strength in mice.
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14
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Seitkazina A, Kim KH, Fagan E, Sung Y, Kim YK, Lim S. The Fate of Tau Aggregates Between Clearance and Transmission. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:932541. [PMID: 35923541 PMCID: PMC9339952 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.932541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal accumulation of mis-folded tau is the pathological hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Distinct from amyloid plaques, which appear simultaneously throughout the brain, tau pathology develops first in a specific brain region and then propagates to neuroanatomically connected brain regions, exacerbating the disease. Due to the implication in disease progression, prevention of tau transmission is recognized as an important therapeutic strategy that can halt disease progression in the brain. Recently, accumulating studies have demonstrated diverse cellular mechanisms associated with cell-to-cell transmission of tau. Once transmitted, mis-folded tau species act as a prion-like seed for native tau aggregation in the recipient neuron. In this review, we summarize the diverse cellular mechanisms associated with the secretion and uptake of tau, and highlight tau-trafficking receptors, which mediate tau clearance or cell-to-cell tau transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assel Seitkazina
- Convergence Research Center for Brain Science, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyu Hyeon Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Brain Science, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Erin Fagan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yoonsik Sung
- Convergence Research Center for Brain Science, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yun Kyung Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Brain Science, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Yun Kyung Kim,
| | - Sungsu Lim
- Convergence Research Center for Brain Science, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
- Sungsu Lim,
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15
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Han ZZ, Kang SG, Arce L, Westaway D. Prion-like strain effects in tauopathies. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:179-199. [PMID: 35460367 PMCID: PMC9034081 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03620-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that plays crucial roles in physiology and pathophysiology. In the realm of dementia, tau protein misfolding is associated with a wide spectrum of clinicopathologically diverse neurodegenerative diseases, collectively known as tauopathies. As proposed by the tau strain hypothesis, the intrinsic heterogeneity of tauopathies may be explained by the existence of structurally distinct tau conformers, “strains”. Tau strains can differ in their associated clinical features, neuropathological profiles, and biochemical signatures. Although prior research into infectious prion proteins offers valuable lessons for studying how a protein-only pathogen can encompass strain diversity, the underlying mechanism by which tau subtypes are generated remains poorly understood. Here we summarize recent advances in understanding different tau conformers through in vivo and in vitro experimental paradigms, and the implications of heterogeneity of pathological tau species for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Zhuang Han
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, 204 Brain and Aging Research Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M8, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sang-Gyun Kang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, 204 Brain and Aging Research Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M8, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Luis Arce
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, 204 Brain and Aging Research Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M8, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David Westaway
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, 204 Brain and Aging Research Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M8, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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16
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Gottschalk AC, Hefti MM. The evolution of microtubule associated proteins - a reference proteomic perspective. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:266. [PMID: 35387592 PMCID: PMC8985376 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs), defined as proteins that bind microtubules but are not molecular motors or severing enzymes, play a key role in regulating microtubule stability in neurons. Existing studies of the evolutionary relationships between these proteins are limited to genomic data from a small number of species. We therefore used a large collection of publicly available reference-quality eukaryotic proteomes to carry out a phylogenetic analysis of microtubule associated proteins in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Complete or near-complete reference quality proteomes were obtained from Uniprot. Microtubule associated proteins were identified using InterProtScan, aligned using MUSCLE and then phylogenetic trees constructed using the WAG algorithm. We identified 889 proteins with tubulin binding domains, of which 663 were in eukaryotes, including 168 vertebrates and 64 invertebrates. The vertebrate proteins separated into three families, resembling human MAP 2, MAP4 and MAPT, respectively, while invertebrate MAPs clustered separately. We found significant variation in number of microtubule associated proteins and number of microtubule binding domains between taxa, with fish and mollusks having an unexpectedly high number of MAPs and binding domains, respectively. Our findings represent a novel analysis of the evolution of microtubule associated proteins based on publicly available proteomics data sets. We were able to confirm the phylogeny of MAPs identified based on more limited genomic analyses, and in addition, derived several novel insights on the structure and function of MAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Gottschalk
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Ave, MRC-108A, Iowa City, IA, 52240, USA
| | - Marco M Hefti
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Ave, MRC-108A, Iowa City, IA, 52240, USA.
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17
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Gauvrit T, Benderradji H, Buée L, Blum D, Vieau D. Early-Life Environment Influence on Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:834661. [PMID: 35252195 PMCID: PMC8891536 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.834661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
With the expand of the population’s average age, the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders has dramatically increased over the last decades. Alzheimer disease (AD) which is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease is mostly sporadic and primarily characterized by cognitive deficits and neuropathological lesions such as amyloid -β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyper- and/or abnormally phosphorylated Tau protein. AD is considered a complex disease that arises from the interaction between environmental and genetic factors, modulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Besides the well-described cognitive decline, AD patients also exhibit metabolic impairments. Metabolic and cognitive perturbations are indeed frequently observed in the Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases (DOHaD) field of research which proposes that environmental perturbations during the perinatal period determine the susceptibility to pathological conditions later in life. In this review, we explored the potential influence of early environmental exposure to risk factors (maternal stress, malnutrition, xenobiotics, chemical factors … ) and the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms on the programming of late-onset AD. Animal models indicate that offspring exposed to early-life stress during gestation and/or lactation increase both AD lesions, lead to defects in synaptic plasticity and finally to cognitive impairments. This long-lasting epigenetic programming could be modulated by factors such as nutriceuticals, epigenetic modifiers or psychosocial behaviour, offering thus future therapeutic opportunity to protect from AD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Gauvrit
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog—Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Alzheimer and Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Hamza Benderradji
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog—Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Alzheimer and Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Luc Buée
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog—Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Alzheimer and Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - David Blum
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog—Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Alzheimer and Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Didier Vieau
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog—Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Alzheimer and Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
- *Correspondence: Didier Vieau,
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18
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Vallés-Saiz L, Peinado-Cahuchola R, Ávila J, Hernández F. Microtubule-associated protein tau in murine kidney: role in podocyte architecture. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:97. [PMID: 35084555 PMCID: PMC8794918 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a cytoskeletal protein that is expressed mainly in neurons and is involved in several cellular processes, such as microtubule stabilization, axonal maintenance, and transport. Altered tau metabolism is related to different tauopathies being the most important Alzheimer's disease where aberrant hyperphosphorylated and aggregated tau is found in the central nervous system. Here, we have analyzed that function in kidney by using tau knockout mice generated by integrating GFP-encoding cDNA into exon 1 of MAPT (here referred to as TauGFP/GFP). IVIS Lumina from PerkinElmer demonstrated GFP expression in the kidney. We then demonstrated by qPCR that the main tau isoform in the kidney is Tau4R. The GFP reporter allowed us to demonstrate that tau is found in the glomeruli of the renal cortex, and specifically in podocytes. This was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. TauGFP/GFP mice present a podocyte cytoskeleton more dynamic as they contain higher levels of detyrosinated tubulin than wild-type mice. In addition, transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrated glomerular damage with a decrease in urinary creatinine. Our results prove that tau has an important role in kidney metabolism under normal physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vallés-Saiz
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio Peinado-Cahuchola
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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19
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Klonarakis M, De Vos M, Woo E, Ralph L, Thacker JS, Gil-Mohapel J. The three sisters of fate: Genetics, pathophysiology and outcomes of animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104541. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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20
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Morris SL, Brady ST. Tau phosphorylation and PAD exposure in regulation of axonal growth. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1023418. [PMID: 36742197 PMCID: PMC9893789 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1023418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Tau is a microtubule associated phosphoprotein found principally in neurons. Prevailing dogma continues to define microtubule stabilization as the major function of tau in vivo, despite several lines of evidence suggesting this is not the case. Most importantly, tau null mice have deficits in axonal outgrowth and neuronal migration while still possessing an extensive microtubule network. Instead, mounting evidence suggests that tau may have a major function in the regulation of fast axonal transport (FAT) through activation of neuronal signaling pathways. Previous studies identified a phosphatase activating domain (PAD) at the tau N-terminal that is normally sequestered, but is constitutively exposed in tauopathies. When exposed, the PAD activates a signaling cascade involving PP1 and GSK3β which affects cellular functions including release of cargo from kinesin. Furthermore, we discovered that PAD exposure can be regulated by a single phosphorylation at T205. Exposure of the PAD is an early event in multiple tauopathies and a major contributing factor to neurodegeneration associated with tau hyperphosphorylation. However, effects of tau PAD exposure on anterograde FAT raised the interesting possibility that this pathway may be a mechanism for physiological regulation of cargo delivery through site-specific phosphorylation of tau and transient activation of PP1 and GSK3β. Significantly, there is already evidence of local control of PP1 and GSK3β at sites which require cargo delivery. Methods: To investigate this hypothesis, first we evaluated cellular localization of tau PAD exposure, pT205 tau phosphorylation, and active GSK3β in primary hippocampal neurons during development. Second, we analyzed the axonal outgrowth of tau knockout neurons following transfection with full length hTau40-WT, hTau40-ΔPAD, or hTau40-T205A. Results and Discussion: The results presented here suggest that transient activation of a PP1-GSK3β signaling pathway through locally regulated PAD exposure is a mechanism for cargo delivery, and thereby important for neurite outgrowth of developing neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Morris
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - S T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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21
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Damianich A, Facal CL, Muñiz JA, Mininni C, Soiza-Reilly M, Ponce De León M, Urrutia L, Falasco G, Ferrario JE, Avale ME. Tau mis-splicing correlates with motor impairments and striatal dysfunction in a model of tauopathy. Brain 2021; 144:2302-2309. [PMID: 34059893 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases caused by the abnormal metabolism of the microtubule associated protein Tau, which is highly expressed in neurons and critically involved in microtubule dynamics. In the adult human brain, the alternative splicing of exon 10 in tau pre-mRNA produces equal amounts of protein isoforms with either three (3 R) or four (4 R) microtubule binding domains. Imbalance in the 3 R : 4 R tau ratio is associated with primary tauopathies that develop atypical parkinsonism, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. Yet, the development of effective therapies for those pathologies is an unmet goal. Here we report motor coordination impairments in the htau mouse model of tauopathy which bear abnormal 3 R : 4 R tau isoforms contents, and contrariwise to TauKO mice, are unresponsive to L-DOPA. Preclinical-PET imaging, array tomography and electrophysiological analyses pointed the dorsal striatum as the candidate structure mediating such phenotypes. Indeed, local modulation of tau isoforms by RNA trans-splicing in the striata of adult htau mice, prevented motor coordination deficits and restored basal neuronal firing. Together, these results constitute readout that abnormal striatal tau-isoforms contents might lead to parkinsonian-like phenotypes and provide proof of concept that modulation of tau mis-splicing could be a plausible disease-modifying therapy for some primary tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Damianich
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Lucia Facal
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Javier Andrés Muñiz
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camilo Mininni
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Soiza-Reilly
- Instituto de Fisiología Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Magdalena Ponce De León
- Laboratorio De Imágenes Preclínicas, Centro de Imágenes Moleculares, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leandro Urrutia
- Laboratorio De Imágenes Preclínicas, Centro de Imágenes Moleculares, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - German Falasco
- Laboratorio De Imágenes Preclínicas, Centro de Imágenes Moleculares, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Esteban Ferrario
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Elena Avale
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Saleem U, Hira S, Anwar F, Shah MA, Bashir S, Baty RS, Badr RH, Blundell R, Batiha GES, Ahmad B. Pharmacological Screening of Viola odorata L . for Memory-Enhancing Effect via Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:664832. [PMID: 34149418 PMCID: PMC8210412 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.664832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The present study aimed to characterize and then investigate the memory-enhancing potential of Viola odorata methanolic extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–treated mice. Methods:V. odorata characterization was done by using the GCMS technique. Neuroinflammation was induced by the intracerebroventricular administration of LPS at a dose of 12 µg. Animals were divided randomly into six groups (n = 10). Group I was normal control, which was given vehicle. Group II was disease control, which received LPS (12 µg) via the intracerebroventricular route. Group III was standard, which was administered with donepezil (3 µg) orally for 21 days. Groups IV–VI were the treatment groups, which were administered with the extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg dose levels orally respectively for 21 days. Groups III–VI received LPS (12 µg) on the first day along with their treatments. During the treatment, the animals were assessed for memory retention by employing different behavioral paradigms namely elevated plus maze, passive avoidance, foot shock and open field. Various mediators [endogenous antioxidants, neurotransmitters, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] involved in the pathogenesis of AD were quantified by using the UV spectrophotometric method. Results: Extract-treated groups showed a remarkable improvement in cognitive impairment in all behavioral paradigms. Oxidative stress biomarkers, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione were raised dose-dependently in the treatment groups with a dose-dependent decrease in the malonaldehyde and AChE levels in the brains of the treated animals. The treatment groups showed decreased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, that is, tumor necrosis factor–alpha, nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated β-cells, and cyclo-oxygenase, which supports the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusion: Based on behavioral, oxidative stress biomarker, and neuroinflammatory data, it is concluded that V. odorata possesses memory-enhancing activity and may prove a beneficial role in the management of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzma Saleem
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Sundas Hira
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fareeha Anwar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Samia Bashir
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Roua S Baty
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem H Badr
- Department of Plant Physiology Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alex University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Renald Blundell
- American University of Malta, Triq Dom Mintoff, Bormla, Malta
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Bashir Ahmad
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
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23
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Cuveillier C, Boulan B, Ravanello C, Denarier E, Deloulme JC, Gory-Fauré S, Delphin C, Bosc C, Arnal I, Andrieux A. Beyond Neuronal Microtubule Stabilization: MAP6 and CRMPS, Two Converging Stories. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:665693. [PMID: 34025352 PMCID: PMC8131560 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.665693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and function of the central nervous system rely on the microtubule (MT) and actin cytoskeletons and their respective effectors. Although the structural role of the cytoskeleton has long been acknowledged in neuronal morphology and activity, it was recently recognized to play the role of a signaling platform. Following this recognition, research into Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs) diversified. Indeed, historically, structural MAPs—including MAP1B, MAP2, Tau, and MAP6 (also known as STOP);—were identified and described as MT-binding and -stabilizing proteins. Extensive data obtained over the last 20 years indicated that these structural MAPs could also contribute to a variety of other molecular roles. Among multi-role MAPs, MAP6 provides a striking example illustrating the diverse molecular and cellular properties of MAPs and showing how their functional versatility contributes to the central nervous system. In this review, in addition to MAP6’s effect on microtubules, we describe its impact on the actin cytoskeleton, on neuroreceptor homeostasis, and its involvement in signaling pathways governing neuron development and maturation. We also discuss its roles in synaptic plasticity, brain connectivity, and cognitive abilities, as well as the potential relationships between the integrated brain functions of MAP6 and its molecular activities. In parallel, the Collapsin Response Mediator Proteins (CRMPs) are presented as examples of how other proteins, not initially identified as MAPs, fall into the broader MAP family. These proteins bind MTs as well as exhibiting molecular and cellular properties very similar to MAP6. Finally, we briefly summarize the multiple similarities between other classical structural MAPs and MAP6 or CRMPs.In summary, this review revisits the molecular properties and the cellular and neuronal roles of the classical MAPs, broadening our definition of what constitutes a MAP.
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24
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Stoyka LE, Mahoney CL, Thrasher DR, Russell DL, Cook AK, Harris AT, Narayanan A, Janado TP, Standaert DG, Roberson ED, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Templated α-Synuclein Inclusion Formation Is Independent of Endogenous Tau. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0458-20.2021. [PMID: 33972291 PMCID: PMC8213444 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0458-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by neuronal intracellular inclusions of α-synuclein. PD dementia (PDD) and DLB are collectively the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia. In addition to associated inclusions, Lewy body diseases (LBDs) have dopaminergic neurodegeneration, motor defects and cognitive changes. The microtubule-associated protein tau has been implicated in LBDs, but the exact role of the protein and how it influences formation of α-synuclein inclusions is unknown. Reducing endogenous tau levels is protective in multiple models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), tauopathies, and in some transgenic synucleinopathy mouse models. Recombinant α-synuclein and tau proteins interact in vitro Here, we show tau and α-synuclein colocalize at excitatory presynaptic terminals. However, tau heterozygous and tau knock-out mice do not show a reduction in fibril-induced α-synuclein inclusions formation in primary cortical neurons, or after intrastriatal injections of fibrils at 1.5 month or six months later. At six months following intrastriatal injections, wild-type, tau heterozygous and tau knock-out mice showed a 50% reduction in dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) compared with mice injected with α-synuclein monomer, but there were no statistically significant differences across genotypes. These data suggest the role of tau in the pathogenesis of LBDs is distinct from AD, and Lewy pathology formation may be independent of endogenous tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay E Stoyka
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Casey L Mahoney
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Drake R Thrasher
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Drèson L Russell
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Anna K Cook
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura A Volpicelli-Daley
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
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25
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Reus LM, Pasaniuc B, Posthuma D, Boltz T, Pijnenburg YA, Ophoff RA. Gene Expression Imputation Across Multiple Tissue Types Provides Insight Into the Genetic Architecture of Frontotemporal Dementia and Its Clinical Subtypes. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:825-835. [PMID: 33637304 PMCID: PMC8415425 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is poorly understood. To identify genes with predicted expression levels associated with FTD, we integrated summary statistics with external reference gene expression data using a transcriptome-wide association study approach. METHODS FUSION software was used to leverage FTD summary statistics (all FTD: n = 2154 cases, n = 4308 controls; behavioral variant FTD: n = 1337 cases, n = 2754 controls; semantic dementia: n = 308 cases, n = 616 controls; progressive nonfluent aphasia: n = 269 cases, n = 538 controls; FTD with motor neuron disease: n = 200 cases, n = 400 controls) from the International FTD-Genomics Consortium with 53 expression quantitative loci tissue type panels (n = 12,205; 5 consortia). Significance was assessed using a 5% false discovery rate threshold. RESULTS We identified 73 significant gene-tissue associations for FTD, representing 44 unique genes in 34 tissue types. Most significant findings were derived from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex splicing data (n = 19 genes, 26%). The 17q21.31 inversion locus contained 23 significant associations, representing 6 unique genes. Other top hits included SEC22B (a gene involved in vesicle trafficking), TRGV5, and ZNF302. A single gene finding (RAB38) was observed for behavioral variant FTD. For other clinical subtypes, no significant associations were observed. CONCLUSIONS We identified novel candidate genes (e.g., SEC22B) and previously reported risk regions (e.g., 17q21.31) for FTD. Most significant associations were observed in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex splicing data despite the modest sample size of this reference panel. This suggests that our findings are specific to FTD and are likely to be biologically relevant highlights of genes at different FTD risk loci that are contributing to the disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne M. Reus
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology,
Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Bogdan Pasaniuc
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of
Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David
Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles,
California.,Department of Computational Medicine, David Geffen School
of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Danielle Posthuma
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for
Neurogenomics and Cognitive research, VU University Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Toni Boltz
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of
Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Yolande A.L. Pijnenburg
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology,
Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Roel A Ophoff
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of
Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of
California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center
Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Oberrauch S, Metha JA, Brian ML, Barnes SA, Featherby TJ, Lawrence AJ, Hoyer D, Murawski C, Jacobson LH. Reward motivation and cognitive flexibility in tau null-mutation mice. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 100:106-117. [PMID: 33524848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The reduction of tau or hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Cognitive decline and sleep-wake dysregulation seen in AD and FTD patients are mimicked in transgenic and null-mutation mouse models of tauopathy. Alterations in the reward system are additional symptoms of AD and FTD. However, the role of tau in reward processes is not well understood. The present study aimed to examine reward and reward-motivated cognitive processes in male and female tau knockout (tau-/-) and wild-type mice using progressive ratio and reversal learning tasks. Tau-/- mice were heavier, ate more in the home cage, and reached criterion in operant lever training faster than wild-type mice. Tau-/- mice had a higher breakpoint in progressive ratio but were unimpaired in reversal learning or reward sensitivity. These data indicate that tau loss of function alters reward processing. This may help to explain aberrant reward-related behaviors in tauopathy patients and highlights a potentially important area for consideration in the development of anti-tau therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Oberrauch
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeremy A Metha
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Finance, Brain, Mind & Markets Laboratory, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maddison L Brian
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel A Barnes
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Travis J Featherby
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoyer
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carsten Murawski
- Department of Finance, Brain, Mind & Markets Laboratory, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura H Jacobson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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27
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Wegmann S, DeVos SL, Zeitler B, Marlen K, Bennett RE, Perez-Rando M, MacKenzie D, Yu Q, Commins C, Bannon RN, Corjuc BT, Chase A, Diez L, Nguyen HOB, Hinkley S, Zhang L, Goodwin A, Ledeboer A, Lam S, Ankoudinova I, Tran H, Scarlott N, Amora R, Surosky R, Miller JC, Robbins AB, Rebar EJ, Urnov FD, Holmes MC, Pooler AM, Riley B, Zhang HS, Hyman BT. Persistent repression of tau in the brain using engineered zinc finger protein transcription factors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/12/eabe1611. [PMID: 33741591 PMCID: PMC7978433 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe1611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal tau reduction confers resilience against β-amyloid and tau-related neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we introduce a novel translational approach to lower expression of the tau gene MAPT at the transcriptional level using gene-silencing zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP-TFs). Following a single administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV), either locally into the hippocampus or intravenously to enable whole-brain transduction, we selectively reduced tau messenger RNA and protein by 50 to 80% out to 11 months, the longest time point studied. Sustained tau lowering was achieved without detectable off-target effects, overt histopathological changes, or molecular alterations. Tau reduction with AAV ZFP-TFs was able to rescue neuronal damage around amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (APP/PS1 line). The highly specific, durable, and controlled knockdown of endogenous tau makes AAV-delivered ZFP-TFs a promising approach for the treatment of tau-related human brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Wegmann
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah L DeVos
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | | | | | - Rachel E Bennett
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Marta Perez-Rando
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Danny MacKenzie
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Qi Yu
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Caitlin Commins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Riley N Bannon
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Bianca T Corjuc
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Alison Chase
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Lisa Diez
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Lei Zhang
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen Lam
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | - Hung Tran
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ashley B Robbins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amy M Pooler
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Brigit Riley
- Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | - Bradley T Hyman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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28
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Houben S, Homa M, Yilmaz Z, Leroy K, Brion JP, Ando K. Tau Pathology and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis: What Tau Mouse Models Tell us? Front Neurol 2021; 12:610330. [PMID: 33643196 PMCID: PMC7902892 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.610330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) has been widely confirmed in mammalian brains. A growing body of evidence points to the fact that AHN sustains hippocampal-dependent functions such as learning and memory. Impaired AHN has been reported in post-mortem human brain hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is considered to contribute to defects in learning and memory. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid plaques are the two key neuropathological hallmarks of AD. NFTs are composed of abnormal tau proteins accumulating in many brain areas during the progression of the disease, including in the hippocampus. The physiological role of tau and impact of tau pathology on AHN is still poorly understood. Modifications in AHN have also been reported in some tau transgenic and tau-deleted mouse models. We present here a brief review of advances in the relationship between development of tau pathology and AHN in AD and what insights have been gained from studies in tau mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Houben
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mégane Homa
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zehra Yilmaz
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karelle Leroy
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Brion
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kunie Ando
- Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, UNI (ULB Neuroscience Institute), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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29
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George EK, Reddy PH. Can Healthy Diets, Regular Exercise, and Better Lifestyle Delay the Progression of Dementia in Elderly Individuals? J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 72:S37-S58. [PMID: 31227652 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and multiple cognitive impairments. Current healthcare costs for over 50 million people afflicted with AD are about $818 million and are projected to be $2 billion by 2050. Unfortunately, there are no drugs currently available that can delay and/or prevent the progression of disease in elderly individuals and in AD patients. Loss of synapses and synaptic damage are largely correlated with cognitive decline in AD patients. Women are at a higher lifetime risk of developing AD encompassing two-thirds of the total AD afflicted population. Only about 1-2% of total AD patients can be explained by genetic mutations in APP, PS1, and PS2 genes. Several risk factors have been identified, such as Apolipoprotein E4 genotype, type 2 diabetes, traumatic brain injury, depression, and hormonal imbalance, are reported to be associated with late-onset AD. Strong evidence reveals that antioxidant enriched diets and regular exercise reduces toxic radicals, enhances mitochondrial function and synaptic activity, and improves cognitive function in elderly populations. Current available data on the use of antioxidants in mouse models of AD and antioxidant(s) supplements in diets of elderly individuals were investigated. The use of antioxidants in randomized clinical trials in AD patients was also critically assessed. Based on our survey of current literature and findings, we cautiously conclude that healthy diets, regular exercise, and improved lifestyle can delay dementia progression and reduce the risk of AD in elderly individuals and reverse subjects with mild cognitive impairment to a non-demented state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Internal Medicine Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Garrison Institute on Aging, South West Campus, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Pharmacology & Neuroscience Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Neurology Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Lubbock, TX, USA
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30
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Masnata M, Salem S, de Rus Jacquet A, Anwer M, Cicchetti F. Targeting Tau to Treat Clinical Features of Huntington's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:580732. [PMID: 33329322 PMCID: PMC7710872 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.580732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. While motor deficits often confirm diagnosis, cognitive dysfunctions usually manifest early in the disease process and are consistently ranked among the leading factors that impact the patients' quality of life. The genetic component of HD, a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, is traditionally presented as the main contributor to disease pathology. However, accumulating evidence suggests the implication of the microtubule-associated tau protein to the pathogenesis and therefore, proposes an alternative conceptual framework where tau and mutant huntingtin (mHTT) act conjointly to drive neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. This perspective on disease etiology offers new avenues to design therapeutic interventions and could leverage decades of research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies to rapidly advance drug discovery. In this mini review, we examine the breadth of tau-targeting treatments currently tested in the preclinical and clinical settings for AD and other tauopathies, and discuss the potential application of these strategies to HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masnata
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Aurelie de Rus Jacquet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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31
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Wang L, Yan M, Wong CKC, Ge R, Wu X, Sun F, Cheng CY. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in microtubule cytoskeletal dynamics and spermatogenesis. Histol Histopathol 2020; 36:249-265. [PMID: 33174615 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells, a crucial cellular structure in the seminiferous epithelium of adult mammalian testes that supports spermatogenesis, was studied morphologically decades ago. However, its biology, in particular the involving regulatory biomolecules and the underlying mechanism(s) in modulating MT dynamics, are only beginning to be revealed in recent years. This lack of studies in delineating the biology of MT cytoskeletal dynamics undermines other studies in the field, in particular the plausible therapeutic treatment and management of male infertility and fertility since studies have shown that the MT cytoskeleton is one of the prime targets of toxicants. Interestingly, much of the information regarding the function of actin-, MT- and intermediate filament-based cytoskeletons come from studies using toxicant models including some genetic models. During the past several years, there have been some advances in studying the biology of MT cytoskeleton in the testis, and many of these studies were based on the use of pharmaceutical/toxicant models. In this review, we summarize the results of these findings, illustrating the importance of toxicant/pharmaceutical models in unravelling the biology of MT dynamics, in particular the role of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), a family of regulatory proteins that modulate MT dynamics but also actin- and intermediate filament-based cytoskeletons. We also provide a timely hypothetical model which can serve as a guide to design functional experiments to study how the MT cytoskeleton is regulated during spermatogenesis through the use of toxicants and/or pharmaceutical agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA.,The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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32
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Microtubule Dysfunction: A Common Feature of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197354. [PMID: 33027950 PMCID: PMC7582320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons are particularly susceptible to microtubule (MT) defects and deregulation of the MT cytoskeleton is considered to be a common insult during the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Evidence that dysfunctions in the MT system have a direct role in neurodegeneration comes from findings that several forms of neurodegenerative diseases are associated with changes in genes encoding tubulins, the structural units of MTs, MT-associated proteins (MAPs), or additional factors such as MT modifying enzymes which modulating tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate MT functions and dynamics. Efforts to use MT-targeting therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are underway. Many of these agents have provided several benefits when tested on both in vitro and in vivo neurodegenerative model systems. Currently, the most frequently addressed therapeutic interventions include drugs that modulate MT stability or that target tubulin PTMs, such as tubulin acetylation. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the relevance of MT dysfunctions to the process of neurodegeneration and briefly discuss advances in the use of MT-targeting drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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33
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Kent SA, Spires-Jones TL, Durrant CS. The physiological roles of tau and Aβ: implications for Alzheimer's disease pathology and therapeutics. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:417-447. [PMID: 32728795 PMCID: PMC7498448 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02196-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) are the prime suspects for driving pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, as such, have become the focus of therapeutic development. Recent research, however, shows that these proteins have been highly conserved throughout evolution and may have crucial, physiological roles. Such functions may be lost during AD progression or be unintentionally disrupted by tau- or Aβ-targeting therapies. Tau has been revealed to be more than a simple stabiliser of microtubules, reported to play a role in a range of biological processes including myelination, glucose metabolism, axonal transport, microtubule dynamics, iron homeostasis, neurogenesis, motor function, learning and memory, neuronal excitability, and DNA protection. Aβ is similarly multifunctional, and is proposed to regulate learning and memory, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, repair leaks in the blood-brain barrier, promote recovery from injury, and act as an antimicrobial peptide and tumour suppressor. This review will discuss potential physiological roles of tau and Aβ, highlighting how changes to these functions may contribute to pathology, as well as the implications for therapeutic development. We propose that a balanced consideration of both the physiological and pathological roles of tau and Aβ will be essential for the design of safe and effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Kent
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Tara L. Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Claire S. Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
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Abstract
Rodents are the most widely used experimental animals in stroke research due to their similar vascular anatomy, high reproductive rates, and availability of transgenic models. However, the difficulties in assessing higher brain functions, such as cognition and memory, in rodents decrease the translational potential of these studies. In this review, we summarize commonly used motor/sensorimotor and cognition tests in rodent models of stroke. Specifically, we first briefly introduce the objective and procedure of each behavioral test. Next, we summarize the application of each test in both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Last, the advantages and disadvantages of these tests in assessing stroke outcome are discussed. This review summarizes commonly used behavioral tests in stroke studies and compares their applications in different stroke types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Ruan
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, 240 W Green Street, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, 240 W Green Street, Athens, GA, USA
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35
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Koller EJ, Chakrabarty P. Tau-Mediated Dysregulation of Neuroplasticity and Glial Plasticity. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:151. [PMID: 32973446 PMCID: PMC7472665 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The inability of individual neurons to compensate for aging-related damage leads to a gradual loss of functional plasticity in the brain accompanied by progressive impairment in learning and memory. Whereas this loss in neuroplasticity is gradual during normal aging, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), this loss is accelerated dramatically, leading to the incapacitation of patients within a decade of onset of cognitive symptoms. The mechanisms that underlie this accelerated loss of neuroplasticity in AD are still not completely understood. While the progressively increasing proteinopathy burden, such as amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles, definitely contribute directly to a neuron’s functional demise, the role of non-neuronal cells in controlling neuroplasticity is slowly being recognized as another major factor. These non-neuronal cells include astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, which through regulating brain homeostasis, structural stability, and trophic support, play a key role in maintaining normal functioning and resilience of the neuronal network. It is believed that chronic signaling from these cells affects the homeostatic network of neuronal and non-neuronal cells to an extent to destabilize this harmonious milieu in neurodegenerative diseases like AD. Here, we will examine the experimental evidence regarding the direct and indirect pathways through which astrocytes and microglia can alter brain plasticity in AD, specifically as they relate to the development and progression of tauopathy. In this review article, we describe the concepts of neuroplasticity and glial plasticity in healthy aging, delineate possible mechanisms underlying tau-induced plasticity dysfunction, and discuss current clinical trials as well as future disease-modifying approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Koller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Paramita Chakrabarty
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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36
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Hefti MM, Kim S, Bell AJ, Betters RK, Fiock KL, Iida MA, Smalley ME, Farrell K, Fowkes ME, Crary JF. Tau Phosphorylation and Aggregation in the Developing Human Brain. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2020; 78:930-938. [PMID: 31504677 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau hyperphosphorylation, mostly at serine (Ser) or threonine (Thr) residues, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Rodent studies show similar hyperphosphorylation in the developing brain, which may be involved in regulating axonal growth and plasticity, but detailed human studies are lacking. Here, we examine tau phosphorylation by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in human fetal and adult autopsy brain tissue. Of the 20 cases with sufficient tissue preservation, 18 (90%) showed positive staining for S214 (pSer214), with the majority also positive for CP13 (pSer202), and PHF-1 (pSer396/pSer404). AT8 (pSer202/pThr205) and RZ3 (pThr231) were largely negative while PG5 (pSer409) was negative in all cases. Immunoblotting showed tau monomers with a similar staining pattern. We also observed phospho-tau aggregates in the fetal molecular layer, staining positively for S214, CP13, and PHF1 and negative for thioflavin S. These corresponded to high-molecular weight (∼150 kD) bands seen on Western blots probed with S214, PHF1, and PG5. We therefore conclude that fetal phosphorylation overlaps with AD in some residues, while others (e.g. T231, S409) appear to be unique to AD, and that tau is capable of forming nontoxic aggregates in the developing brain. These findings suggest that the fetal brain is resilient to formation of toxic aggregates, the mechanism for which may yield insights into the pathogenesis of tau aggregation and toxicity in the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco M Hefti
- Department of Pathology.,Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - SoongHo Kim
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Department of Neuroscience.,Friedmann Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Aaron J Bell
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Analytical Instrumentation Facility Campus Box 7531, Monteith Research Center, 2410 Campus Shore Drive, Room 246, Raleigh, NC 27695-7531
| | - Ryan K Betters
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Megan A Iida
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Department of Neuroscience.,Friedmann Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | - Kurt Farrell
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Department of Neuroscience.,Friedmann Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | - John F Crary
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute.,Department of Neuroscience.,Friedmann Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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Increased Tau Expression Correlates with Neuronal Maturation in the Developing Human Cerebral Cortex. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0058-20.2020. [PMID: 32393582 PMCID: PMC7262004 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0058-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although best known for its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau is expressed throughout brain development, although it remains unclear when and which cell types this expression occurs and how it affects disease states in both fetal and neonatal periods. We thus sought to map tau mRNA and protein expression in the developing human brain at the cellular level using a combination of existing single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) data, RNA in situ hybridization (RNAscope), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Using sc-RNAseq, we found that tau mRNA expression begins in radial glia but increases dramatically as migrating neuronal precursors mature. Specifically, TBR1 + maturing neurons and SYN + mature neurons showed significantly higher mRNA expression than GFAP +/NES + radial glia or TBR2 + intermediate progenitors. By RNAscope, we found low levels of tau mRNA in subventricular zone (SVZ) radial glia and deep white matter intermediate progenitors, with an increase in more superficially located maturing and mature neurons. By total-tau IHC, the germinal matrix and SVZ showed little protein expression, although both RNAscope and sc-RNAseq showed mRNA, and Western blotting revealed significantly less protein in those areas compared with more mature regions. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical organoids showed a similar tau expression pattern by sc-RNAseq and RNAscope. Our results indicate that tau increases with neuronal maturation in both the developing fetal brain and iPSC-derived organoids and forms a basis for future research on regulatory mechanisms triggering the onset of tau gene transcription and translation, which may represent potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative tauopathies and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Gonçalves RA, Wijesekara N, Fraser PE, De Felice FG. Behavioral Abnormalities in Knockout and Humanized Tau Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:124. [PMID: 32226410 PMCID: PMC7080660 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau assists in stabilizing microtubules and has been particularly implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the importance of tau to AD pathogenesis and therapies, it is important to understand non-classic physiological functions for this protein inside and outside the central nervous system (CNS). Our group has previously shown that tau ablation triggers glucose intolerance and pancreatic dysfunction in mice, suggesting that tau plays a role in peripheral metabolic regulation. Little is known about the role of tau in anxiety. Moreover, inconsistent results have been generated regarding the effects of tau deletion in memory. Here, we characterize systemic insulin resistance, anxiety-related behavior and memory in 15 to 20 weeks old Wild-Type (WT), Tau knockout (TauKO) and a distinct hTau mouse model consisting of tau knockout expressing the longest isoform (2N4R) of a non-mutant WT human Tau protein under the prion promoter (hTau). Our findings demonstrate that tau deletion leads to anxiety-related behavior, impaired contextual and cued fear memory. The presence of a human Tau transgene did not ameliorate the phenotypes observed in animals lacking the mouse tau protein and it elicited impairments in learning, memory, and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Our results suggest that tau protein plays a role in memory and anxiety-related behavior. Our findings also indicate that previously unrecognized functions for tau protein may be a complicating factor in using animal models on the TauKO background. Understanding the link between tau pathophysiology and cognitive and metabolic alterations is of great importance to establish the complete contribution of tau protein to AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaella Araujo Gonçalves
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nadeeja Wijesekara
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul E. Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Paul E. Fraser
| | - Fernanda G. De Felice
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Fernanda G. De Felice
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Alves CB, Almeida AS, Marques DM, Faé AHL, Machado ACL, Oliveira DL, Portela LVC, Porciúncula LO. Caffeine and adenosine A 2A receptors rescue neuronal development in vitro of frontal cortical neurons in a rat model of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Neuropharmacology 2019; 166:107782. [PMID: 31756336 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Although some studies have supported the effects of caffeine for treatment of Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there were no evidences about its effects at the neuronal level. In this study, we sought to find morphological alterations during in vitro development of frontal cortical neurons from Spontaneoulsy hypertensive rats (SHR, an ADHD rat model) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, control strain). Further, we investigated the effects of caffeine and adenosine A1 and A2A receptors (A1R and A2AR) signaling. Cultured cortical neurons from WKY and SHR were analyzed by immunostaining of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and tau protein after treatment with either caffeine, or A1R and A2AR agonists or antagonists. Besides, the involvement of PI3K and not PKA signaling was also assessed. Neurons from ADHD model displayed less neurite branching, shorter maximal neurite length and decreased axonal outgrowth. While caffeine recovered neurite branching and elongation from ADHD neurons via both PKA and PI3K signaling, A2AR agonist (CGS 21680) promoted more neurite branching via PKA signaling. The selective A2AR antagonist (SCH 58261) was efficient in recovering axonal outgrowth from ADHD neurons through PI3K and not PKA signaling. For the first time, frontal cortical neurons were isolated from ADHD model and they presented disturbances in the differentiation and outgrowth. By showing that caffeine and A2AR may act at neuronal level rescuing ADHD neurons outgrowth, our findings strengthen the potential of caffeine and A2AR receptors as an adjuvant for ADHD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catiane B Alves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Amanda S Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Daniela M Marques
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Ana Helena L Faé
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Ana Carolina L Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Diogo L Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Luis Valmor C Portela
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
| | - Lisiane O Porciúncula
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Anexo, Santana, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003.
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40
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Rush T, Roth JR, Thompson SJ, Aldaher AR, Cochran JN, Roberson ED. A peptide inhibitor of Tau-SH3 interactions ameliorates amyloid-β toxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104668. [PMID: 31698056 PMCID: PMC7877553 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein Tau is strongly implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aggregates into neurofibrillary tangles in AD. Genetic reduction of Tau is protective in several animal models of AD and cell culture models of amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity, making it an exciting therapeutic target for treating AD. A variety of evidence indicates that Tau’s interactions with Fyn kinase and other SH3 domain–containing proteins, which bind to PxxP motifs in Tau’s proline-rich domain, may contribute to AD deficits and Aβ toxicity. Thus, we sought to determine if inhibiting Tau-SH3 interactions ameliorates Aβ toxicity. We developed a peptide inhibitor of Tau-SH3 interactions and a proximity ligation assay (PLA)-based target engagement assay. Then, we used membrane trafficking and neurite degeneration assays to determine if inhibiting Tau-SH3 interactions ameliorated Aβ oligomer (Aβo)-induced toxicity in primary hippocampal neurons from rats. We verified that Tau reduction ameliorated Aβo toxicity in neurons. Using PLA, we identified a peptide inhibitor that reduced Tau-SH3 interactions in HEK-293 cells and primary neurons. This peptide reduced Tau phosphorylation by Fyn without affecting Fyn’s kinase activity state. In primary neurons, endogenous Tau-Fyn interaction was present primarily in neurites and was reduced by the peptide inhibitor, from which we inferred target engagement. Reducing Tau-SH3 interactions in neurons ameliorated Aβo toxicity by multiple outcome measures, namely Aβo-induced membrane trafficking abnormalities and neurite degeneration. Our results indicate that Tau-SH3 interactions are critical for Aβo toxicity and that inhibiting them is a promising therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Rush
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jonathan R Roth
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Samantha J Thompson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Adam R Aldaher
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - J Nicholas Cochran
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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41
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Liu G, Thangavel R, Rysted J, Kim Y, Francis MB, Adams E, Lin Z, Taugher RJ, Wemmie JA, Usachev YM, Lee G. Loss of tau and Fyn reduces compensatory effects of MAP2 for tau and reveals a Fyn-independent effect of tau on calcium. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:1393-1413. [PMID: 31452242 PMCID: PMC6850396 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau associates with Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn and is tyrosine phosphorylated by Fyn. The presence of tyrosine phosphorylated tau in AD and the involvement of Fyn in AD has drawn attention to the tau-Fyn complex. In this study, a tau-Fyn double knockout (DKO) mouse was generated to investigate the role of the complex. DKO mice resembled Fyn KO in novel object recognition and contextual fear conditioning tasks and resembled tau KO mice in the pole test and protection from pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. In glutamate-induced Ca2+ response, Fyn KO was decreased relative to WT and DKO had a greater reduction relative to Fyn KO, suggesting that tau may have a Fyn-independent role. Since tau KO resembled WT in its Ca2+ response, we investigated whether microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) served to compensate for tau, since the MAP2 level was increased in tau KO but decreased in DKO mice. We found that like tau, MAP2 increased Fyn activity. Moreover, tau KO neurons had increased density of dendritic MAP2-Fyn complexes relative to WT neurons. Therefore, we hypothesize that in the tau KO, the absence of tau would be compensated by MAP2, especially in the dendrites, where tau-Fyn complexes are of critical importance. In the DKO, decreased levels of MAP2 made compensation more difficult, thus revealing the effect of tau in the Ca2+ response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghao Liu
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ramasamy Thangavel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jacob Rysted
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yohan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Meghan B Francis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Eric Adams
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Zhihong Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Rebecca J Taugher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - John A Wemmie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yuriy M Usachev
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Gloria Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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42
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Tan DCS, Yao S, Ittner A, Bertz J, Ke YD, Ittner LM, Delerue F. Generation of a New Tau Knockout (tauΔex1) Line Using CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:571-578. [PMID: 29480201 DOI: 10.3233/jad-171058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias present with tau pathology. Several mouse lines with knockout of the tau-encoding Mapt gene have been reported, yet findings often differed between lines and sites. Here, we report a new tau knockout strain (tauΔex1), generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of intron -1/exon 1 of Mapt in C57Bl/6J mice. TauΔex1 mice had no overt phenotype, but, in line with previous models, they showed a significantly reduced susceptibility to excitotoxic seizures, with normal memory formation in young mice. This new in vivo resource will be made freely available to the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C S Tan
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sherilyn Yao
- Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Josefine Bertz
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Motor Neuron Disease Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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43
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Tau Interacting Proteins: Gaining Insight into the Roles of Tau in Health and Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1184:145-166. [PMID: 32096036 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tau is most intensely studied in relation to its executive role in Tauopathies, a family of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of Tau aggregates [15, 21, 38, 75, 89, 111, 121, 135, 175, 176, 192]. Tau aggregation in the different Tauopathies differs in the affected cell type, the structure of aggregates and Tau isoform composition. However, in all Tauopathies, accumulation of pathological Tau in well-characterized and well-defined brain regions, correlates strongly with symptoms associated with the dysfunction of this brain region. Hence, symptoms of neurodegenerative Tauopathies can range from motoric to cognitive and behavioral symptoms, even extending to deterioration of vital functions when the disease progresses, or combinations of different symptoms governed by the affected brain regions. The most common Tauopathies are corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and frontotemporal dementias with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). However a growing number of diseases are characterized by Tau aggregation amounting to a large family of more than 20 disorders [176]. Most Tauopathies are sporadic, and are hence linked to a combination of environmental and genetic risk factors. However, mutations in MAPT have been identified which are autosomal dominantly linked to Tauopathies, including FTDP, PSP and CBD [94, 163, 185] (Alzforum, https://www.alzforum.org/mutations/mapt ). More than 80 mutations have been identified in MAPT, both in intronic and exonic regions of the human MAPT. These mutations can be classified as missense mutations or splicing mutations. Most missense mutations cluster in or near the microtubule binding site of Tau, while most splicing mutations affect the splicing of exon 10 (encoding the R2 domain), and hence affect the 3R/4R ratio. While Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the most prevalent Tauopathy, no mutations in MAPT associated with AD have been identified. Brains of AD patients are pathologically characterized by the combined presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles [171]. Familial forms of AD, termed early onset familial AD (EOFAD) with clinical mutations in APP or PS1/2, have an early onset, and are invariably characterized by the combined presence of amyloid and Tau pathology [24, 80, 170]. These EOFAD cases, identify a causal link between APP/PS1 misprocessing and the development of Tau pathology and neurodegeneration [80, 170]. Furthermore, combined genetic, pathological, biomarker and in vivo modelling data, indicate that amyloid pathology precedes Tau pathology, and support a role for Aβ as initiator and Tau as executor in the pathogenetic process of AD [80, 96, 97]. Hence, AD is often considered as a secondary Tauopathy (similar as for Down syndrome patients), in contrast to the primary Tauopathies described above. Tau aggregates in Tauopathies vary with respect to the ratio of different Tau isoforms (3R/4R), to the cell types displaying Tau aggregation and the structure of the aggregates. However, in all Tauopathies a strong correlation between progressive development of pathological Tau accumulation and the loss of the respective brain functions is observed.
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Fares A, Borrmann D. Neurochemical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and Movement Disturbances: A Theory of β-Amyloid and τ-Protein. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2018; 33:535-540. [PMID: 30045626 PMCID: PMC10852508 DOI: 10.1177/1533317518790631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The pathologic and molecular substrate of people diagnosed with cognitive deficits and movement disturbance may not occur exclusively in the context of a brain region, but it may be expressed in another part of body such as muscle. A large body of research has demonstrated that slow motor performance is associated with cognitive impairment in elderly people. The interdependence between motor dysfunction and cognition decline is still not fully understood. Although several factors have been suggested to give a plausible explanation, β-amyloid (Aβ) and τ-protein aggregation is a common feature of a number of neurodegenerative disorders which are characterized by both motor and cognitive impairment, and it is assumed that the aggregation process plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the available evidence that can help to better elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive and movement disturbances by focusing on Aβ and τ-protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auda Fares
- Department of Acute Geriatric Medicine & Rehabilitation, St Willibrord-Spital Emmerich-Rees, Emmerich, Germany
| | - Dieter Borrmann
- Department of Acute Geriatric Medicine & Rehabilitation, St Willibrord-Spital Emmerich-Rees, Emmerich, Germany
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Beauchamp LC, Chan J, Hung LW, Padman BS, Vella LJ, Liu XM, Coleman B, Bush AI, Lazarou M, Hill AF, Jacobson L, Barnham KJ. Ablation of tau causes an olfactory deficit in a murine model of Parkinson's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:57. [PMID: 29976255 PMCID: PMC6032546 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0560-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is diagnosed upon the presentation of motor symptoms, resulting from substantial degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Prior to diagnosis, there is a lengthy prodromal stage in which non-motor symptoms, including olfactory deficits (hyposmia), develop. There is limited information about non-motor impairments and there is a need for directed research into these early pathogenic cellular pathways that precede extensive dopaminergic death in the midbrain. The protein tau has been identified as a genetic risk factor in the development of sporadic PD. Tau knockout mice have been reported as an age-dependent model of PD, and this study has demonstrated that they develop motor deficits at 15-months-old. We have shown that at 7-month-old tau knockout mice present with an overt hyposmic phenotype. This olfactory deficit correlates with an accumulation of α-synuclein, as well as autophagic impairment, in the olfactory bulb. This pathological feature becomes apparent in the striatum and substantia nigra of 15-month-old tau knockout mice, suggesting the potential for a spread of disease. Initial primary cell culture experiments have demonstrated that ablation of tau results in the release of α-synuclein enriched exosomes, providing a potential mechanism for disease spread. These alterations in α-synuclein level as well as a marked autophagy impairment in the tau knockout primary cells recapitulate results seen in the animal model. These data implicate a pathological role for tau in early Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C. Beauchamp
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Jacky Chan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Lin W. Hung
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Benjamin S. Padman
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Laura J. Vella
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Xiang M. Liu
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Bradley Coleman
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Ashley I. Bush
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Michael Lazarou
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Andrew F. Hill
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Laura Jacobson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Kevin J. Barnham
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
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Selective targeting of 3 repeat Tau with brain penetrating single chain antibodies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Acta Neuropathol 2018; 136:69-87. [PMID: 29934874 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1869-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly affecting more than 5 million people in the U.S. AD is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) and Tau in the brain, and is manifested by severe impairments in memory and cognition. Therefore, removing tau pathology has become one of the main therapeutic goals for the treatment of AD. Tau (tubulin-associated unit) is a major neuronal cytoskeletal protein found in the CNS encoded by the gene MAPT. Alternative splicing generates two major isoforms of tau containing either 3 or 4 repeat (R) segments. These 3R or 4RTau species are differentially expressed in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have been focused on reducing Tau accumulation with antibodies against total Tau, 4RTau or phosphorylated isoforms. Here, we developed a brain penetrating, single chain antibody that specifically recognizes a pathogenic 3RTau. This single chain antibody was modified by the addition of a fragment of the apoB protein to facilitate trafficking into the brain, once in the CNS these antibody fragments reduced the accumulation of 3RTau and related deficits in a transgenic mouse model of tauopathy. NMR studies showed that the single chain antibody recognized an epitope at aa 40-62 of 3RTau. This single chain antibody reduced 3RTau transmission and facilitated the clearance of Tau via the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. Together, these results suggest that targeting 3RTau with highly specific, brain penetrating, single chain antibodies might be of potential value for the treatment of tauopathies such as Pick's Disease.
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Foidl BM, Humpel C. Differential Hyperphosphorylation of Tau-S199, -T231 and -S396 in Organotypic Brain Slices of Alzheimer Mice. A Model to Study Early Tau Hyperphosphorylation Using Okadaic Acid. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:113. [PMID: 29725295 PMCID: PMC5917035 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, characterized by extracellular aggregation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylation of tau causing intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). There is urgent need to study the interactions between Aβ and tau, especially to solve the question of the pathological cascade. In the present study, we aim to develop a model of organotypic brain slices in which both plaque and tau pathology can be examined. Organotypic brain slices (150 μm thick, coronal, at the hippocampal level) from adult (9 month) wildtype (WT, C57BL/6N) and transgenic AD mice (TG, APP_SweDI) were cultured for 2 weeks. To induce tau hyperphosphorylation 100 nM okadaic acid (OA), 10 μM wortmannin (WM) or both were added to the slices. Hyperphosphorylation of tau was tested at tau-S199, tau-T231 and tau-S396 using Western blot. Our data show that in TG mice with plaques a 50 kDa fragment of tau-S396 was hyperphosphorylated and that OA induced hyperphosphorylation of tau-S199. In WT mice (without plaques) OA caused hyperphosphorylation of a 50 kDa and a 38 kDa tau-T231 form and a 25 kDa sdftau-S396 fragment. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK801 (1 μM) did not block these effects. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse increased tau-S396 and tau-T231-like immunoreactivities at the hippocampal level but no formation of NFTs. Confocal microscopy indicated, that pTau-T231 was preferentially located in cytoplasma surrounding nuclei whereas pTau-S396 was found mainly in nerve fibers and strongly associated with plaques. In conclusion we provide a novel in vitro model to study both plaque and tau hyperphosphorylation but not NFTs, which could be useful to study pathological processes in AD and to screen for drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Foidl
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Humpel
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Vesicular Axonal Transport is Modified In Vivo by Tau Deletion or Overexpression in Drosophila. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19030744. [PMID: 29509687 PMCID: PMC5877605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural microtubule associated protein Tau is found in high amount in axons and is involved in several neurodegenerative diseases. Although many studies have highlighted the toxicity of an excess of Tau in neurons, the in vivo understanding of the endogenous role of Tau in axon morphology and physiology is poor. Indeed, knock-out mice display no strong cytoskeleton or axonal transport phenotype, probably because of some important functional redundancy with other microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Here, we took advantage of the model organism Drosophila, which genome contains only one homologue of the Tau/MAP2/MAP4 family to decipher (endogenous) Tau functions. We found that Tau depletion leads to a decrease in microtubule number and microtubule density within axons, while Tau excess leads to the opposite phenotypes. Analysis of vesicular transport in tau mutants showed altered mobility of vesicles, but no change in the total amount of putatively mobile vesicles, whereas both aspects were affected when Tau was overexpressed. In conclusion, we show that loss of Tau in tau mutants not only leads to a decrease in axonal microtubule density, but also impairs axonal vesicular transport, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the effects of an excess of Tau.
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Tang X, Jiao L, Zheng M, Yan Y, Nie Q, Wu T, Wan X, Zhang G, Li Y, Wu S, Jiang B, Cai H, Xu P, Duan J, Lin X. Tau Deficiency Down-Regulated Transcription Factor Orthodenticle Homeobox 2 Expression in the Dopaminergic Neurons in Ventral Tegmental Area and Caused No Obvious Motor Deficits in Mice. Neuroscience 2018; 373:52-59. [PMID: 29337233 PMCID: PMC5819331 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tau protein participates in microtubule stabilization, axonal transport, and protein trafficking. Loss of normal tau function will exert a negative effect. However, current knowledge on the impact of tau deficiency on the motor behavior and related neurobiological changes is controversial. In this study, we examined motor functions and analyzed several proteins implicated in the maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons (mDANs) function of adult and aged tau+/+, tau+/-, tau-/- mice. We found tau deficiency could not induce significant motor disorders. However, we discovered lower expression levels of transcription factors Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) of mDANs in older aged mice. Compared with age-matched tau+/+ mice, there were 54.1% lower (p = 0.0192) OTX2 protein (OTX2-fluorescence intensity) in VTA DA neurons of tau+/- mice and 43.6% lower (p = 0.0249) OTX2 protein in VTA DA neurons of tau-/- mice at 18 months old. Combined with the relevant reports, our results suggested that tau deficiency alone might not be enough to mimic the pathology of Parkinson's disease. However, OTX2 down-regulation indicates that mDANs of tau-deficient mice will be more sensitive to toxic damage from MPTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Tang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Luyan Jiao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Meige Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qi Nie
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ting Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaomei Wan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guofeng Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yonglin Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Song Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pingyi Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong 510120, China.
| | - Jinhai Duan
- Department of Neurology & Guangdong Institute of Geriatrics, Guangdong General Hospital, #106, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guanzhou 510080, China.
| | - Xian Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Anatomy & Research Center for Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Biundo F, Del Prete D, Zhang H, Arancio O, D'Adamio L. A role for tau in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3184. [PMID: 29453339 PMCID: PMC5816660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders: mutations in the gene encoding for tau (MAPT) are linked to Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of tau forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. Accordingly, tau is a favored therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases. Given the criticality of tau to dementia's pathogenesis and therapy, it is important to understand the physiological function of tau in the central nervous system. Analysis of Mapt knock out (Mapt-/-) mice has yielded inconsistent results. Some studies have shown that tau deletion does not alter memory while others have described synaptic plasticity and memory alterations in Mapt-/- mice. To help clarifying these contrasting results, we analyzed a distinct Mapt-/- model on a B6129PF3/J genetic background. We found that tau deletion leads to aging-dependent short-term memory deficits, hyperactivity and synaptic plasticity defects. In contrast, Mapt+/- mice only showed a mild short memory deficit in the novel object recognition task. Thus, while tau is important for normal neuronal functions underlying learning and memory, partial reduction of tau expression may have fractional deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Biundo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Dolores Del Prete
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, 630 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, 630 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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