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Juković M, Ratkaj I, Kalafatovic D, Bradshaw NJ. Amyloids, amorphous aggregates and assemblies of peptides - Assessing aggregation. Biophys Chem 2024; 308:107202. [PMID: 38382283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid and amorphous aggregates represent the two major categories of aggregates associated with diseases, and although exhibiting distinct features, researchers often treat them as equivalent, which demonstrates the need for more thorough characterization. Here, we compare amyloid and amorphous aggregates based on their biochemical properties, kinetics, and morphological features. To further decipher this issue, we propose the use of peptide self-assemblies as minimalistic models for understanding the aggregation process. Peptide building blocks are significantly smaller than proteins that participate in aggregation, however, they make a plausible means to bridge the gap in discerning the aggregation process at the more complex, protein level. Additionally, we explore the potential use of peptide-inspired models to research the liquid-liquid phase separation as a feasible mechanism preceding amyloid formation. Connecting these concepts can help clarify our understanding of aggregation-related disorders and potentially provide novel drug targets to impede and reverse these serious illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Juković
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Ratkaj
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniela Kalafatovic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Nicholas J Bradshaw
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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2
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Suresh K, Dahal E, Badano A. Synthetic β-sheets mimicking fibrillar and oligomeric structures for evaluation of spectral X-ray scattering technique for biomarker quantification. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:26. [PMID: 38374092 PMCID: PMC10877803 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01208-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Archetypical cross-β spines sharpen the boundary between functional and pathological proteins including β-amyloid, tau, α-synuclein and transthyretin are linked to many debilitating human neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative amyloidoses. An increased focus on development of pathogenic β-sheet specific fluid and imaging structural biomarkers and conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies in targeted therapies has been recently observed. Identification and quantification of pathogenic oligomers remain challenging for existing neuroimaging modalities. RESULTS We propose two artificial β-sheets which can mimic the nanoscopic structural characteristics of pathogenic oligomers and fibrils for evaluating the performance of a label free, X-ray based biomarker detection and quantification technique. Highly similar structure with elliptical cross-section and parallel cross-β motif is observed among recombinant α-synuclein fibril, Aβ-42 fibril and artificial β-sheet fibrils. We then use these β-sheet models to assess the performance of spectral small angle X-ray scattering (sSAXS) technique for detecting β-sheet structures. sSAXS showed quantitatively accurate detection of antiparallel, cross-β artificial oligomers from a tissue mimicking environment and significant distinction between different oligomer packing densities such as diffuse and dense packings. CONCLUSION The proposed synthetic β-sheet models mimicked the nanoscopic structural characteristics of β-sheets of fibrillar and oligomeric states of Aβ and α-synuclein based on the ATR-FTIR and SAXS data. The tunability of β-sheet proportions and shapes of structural motifs, and the low-cost of these β-sheet models can become useful test materials for evaluating β-sheet or amyloid specific biomarkers in a wide range of neurological diseases. By using the proposed synthetic β-sheet models, our study indicates that the sSAXS has potential to evaluate different stages of β-sheet-enriched structures including oligomers of pathogenic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Suresh
- Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA.
| | - Eshan Dahal
- Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Aldo Badano
- Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
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3
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Zhang W, Wang R, Liu M, Li S, Vokoun AE, Deng W, Dupont RL, Zhang F, Li S, Wang Y, Liu Z, Zheng Y, Liu S, Yang Y, Wang C, Yu L, Yao Y, Wang X, Wang C. Single-molecule visualization determines conformational substate ensembles in β-sheet-rich peptide fibrils. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg7943. [PMID: 37406110 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg7943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of protein conformational ensembles is essential for revealing the underlying mechanisms of interpeptide recognition and association. However, experimentally resolving multiple simultaneously existing conformational substates remains challenging. Here, we report the use of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to analyze the conformational substate ensembles of β sheet peptides with a submolecular resolution (in-plane <2.6 Å). We observed ensembles of more than 10 conformational substates (with free energy fluctuations between several kBTs) in peptide homoassemblies of keratin (KRT) and amyloidal peptides (-5Aβ42 and TDP-43 341-357). Furthermore, STM reveals a change in the conformational ensemble of peptide mutants, which is correlated with the macroscopic properties of peptide assemblies. Our results demonstrate that the STM-based single-molecule imaging can capture a thorough picture of the conformational substates with which to build an energetic landscape of interconformational interactions and can rapidly screen conformational ensembles, which can complement conventional characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Ruonan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Mingwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Shucong Li
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Asher E Vokoun
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Weichen Deng
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Robert L Dupont
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Feiyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
- Institute for Advanced Materials, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P. R. China
| | - Shuyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Liu
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS and State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Yongfang Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Province Universities, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P.R. China
| | - Shuli Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University Civil Aviation School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100123, P. R. China
| | - Yanlian Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Chen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Lanlan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chenxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
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4
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Arnold FJ, Nguyen AD, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins in ALS: Exploring the pathogenic wave. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106218. [PMID: 37394036 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), disease symptoms and pathology typically spread in a predictable spatiotemporal pattern beginning at a focal site of onset and progressing along defined neuroanatomical tracts. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, ALS is characterized by the presence of protein aggregates in postmortem patient tissue. Cytoplasmic, ubiquitin-positive aggregates of TDP-43 are observed in approximately 97% of sporadic and familial ALS patients, while SOD1 inclusions are likely specific to cases of SOD1-ALS. Additionally, the most common subtype of familial ALS, caused by a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene (C9-ALS), is further characterized by the presence of aggregated dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). As we will describe, cell-to-cell propagation of these pathological proteins tightly correlates with the contiguous spread of disease. While TDP-43 and SOD1 are capable of seeding protein misfolding and aggregation in a prion-like manner, C9orf72 DPRs appear to induce (and transmit) a 'disease state' more generally. Multiple mechanisms of intercellular transport have been described for all of these proteins, including anterograde and retrograde axonal transport, extracellular vesicle secretion, and macropinocytosis. In addition to neuron-to-neuron transmission, transmission of pathological proteins occurs between neurons and glia. Given that the spread of ALS disease pathology corresponds with the spread of symptoms in patients, the various mechanisms by which ALS-associated protein aggregates propagate through the central nervous system should be closely examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - A D Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R S Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - C L Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - A R La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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5
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Li F, Chen Y, Tang Y, Liu X, Wei G. Dissecting the Effect of ALS Mutation G335D on the Early Aggregation of the TDP-43 Amyloidogenic Core Peptide: Helix-to-β-Sheet Transition and Conformational Shift. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:3579-3590. [PMID: 37218694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) into fibrillary deposits is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 311-360 fragment of TDP-43 (TDP-43311-360), the amyloidogenic core region, can spontaneously aggregate into fibrils, and the ALS-associated mutation G335D has an enhanced effect on TDP-43311-360 fibrillization. However, the molecular mechanism underlying G335D-enhanced aggregation at atomic level remains largely unknown. By utilizing all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) and replica exchange with solute tempering 2 (REST2) simulations, we investigated influences of G335D on the dimerization (the first step of aggregation) and conformational ensemble of the TDP-43311-360 peptide. Our simulations show that G335D mutation increases inter-peptide interactions, especially inter-peptide hydrogen-bonding interactions in which the mutant site has a relatively large contribution, and enhances the dimerization of TDP-43311-360 peptides. The α-helix regions in the NMR-resolved conformation of the TDP-43311-360 monomer (321-330 and 335-343) play an essential role in the formation of the dimer. G335D mutation induces helix unfolding and promotes α-to-β conversion. G335D mutation alters the conformational distribution of TDP-43311-360 dimers and causes population shift from helix-rich to β-sheet-rich conformations, which facilitates the fibrillization of the TDP-43311-360 peptide. Our MD and REST2 simulation results suggest that the 321-330 region is of paramount importance to α-to-β transition and could be the initiation site for TDP-43311-360 fibrillization. Our work reveals the mechanism underlying the enhanced aggregation propensity of the G335D TDP-43311-360 peptide, which provides atomistic insights into the G335D mutation-caused pathogenicity of TDP-43 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangying Li
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
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6
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Tan Y, Chen Y, Liu X, Tang Y, Lao Z, Wei G. Dissecting how ALS-associated D290V mutation enhances pathogenic aggregation of hnRNPA2 286-291 peptides: Dynamics and conformational ensembles. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124659. [PMID: 37119915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of RNA binding proteins, including hnRNPA1/2, TDP-43 and FUS, is heavily implicated in causing or increasing disease risk for a series of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A recent experimental study demonstrated that an ALS-related D290V mutation in the low complexity domain (LCD) of hnRNPA2 can enhance the aggregation propensity of wild type (WT) hnRNPA2286-291 peptide. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we investigated effects of D290V mutation on aggregation dynamics of hnRNPA2286-291 peptide and the conformational ensemble of hnRNPA2286-291 oligomers by performing all-atom molecular dynamic and replica-exchange molecular dynamic simulations. Our simulations demonstrate that D290V mutation greatly reduces the dynamics of hnRNPA2286-291 peptide and that D290V oligomers possess higher compactness and β-sheet content than WT, indicative of mutation-enhanced aggregation capability. Specifically, D290V mutation strengthens inter-peptide hydrophobic, main-chain hydrogen bonding and side-chain aromatic stacking interactions. Those interactions collectively lead to the enhancement of aggregation capability of hnRNPA2286-291 peptides. Overall, our study provides insights into the dynamics and thermodynamic mechanisms underlying D290V-induced disease-causing aggregation of hnRNPA2286-291, which could contribute to better understanding of the transitions from reversible condensates to irreversible pathogenic aggregates of hnRNPA2 LCD in ALS-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tan
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Zenghui Lao
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Kamagata K, Kanbayashi S, Koda S, Kadotani A, Ubukata O, Tashima T. Suppression of TDP-43 aggregation by artificial peptide binder targeting to its low complexity domain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 662:119-125. [PMID: 37104882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), aggregation prone protein, is a potential target of drug discovery for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The molecular binders, targeting the disordered low complexity domain (LCD) relevant to the aggregation, may suppress the aggregation. Recently, Kamagata et al. developed a rational design of peptide binders targeting intrinsically disordered proteins based on contact energies between residue pairs. In this study, we designed 18 producible peptide binder candidates to TDP-43 LCD by using this method. Fluorescence anisotropy titration and surface plasmon resonance assays demonstrated that one of the designed peptides bound to TDP-43 LCD at 30 μM. Thioflavin-T fluorescence and sedimentation assays showed that the peptide binder suppressed the aggregation of TDP-43. In summary, this study highlights the potential applicability of peptide binder design for aggregation prone proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoto Kamagata
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan.
| | - Saori Kanbayashi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
| | | | - Akito Kadotani
- Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co. Ltd., Tokyo, 134-0081, Japan
| | - Osamu Ubukata
- Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co. Ltd., Tokyo, 134-0081, Japan
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Shenoy J, Lends A, Berbon M, Bilal M, El Mammeri N, Bertoni M, Saad A, Morvan E, Grélard A, Lecomte S, Theillet FX, Buell AK, Kauffmann B, Habenstein B, Loquet A. Structural polymorphism of the low-complexity C-terminal domain of TDP-43 amyloid aggregates revealed by solid-state NMR. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1148302. [PMID: 37065450 PMCID: PMC10095165 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1148302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant aggregation of the transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) is associated with several lethal neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Cytoplasmic neuronal inclusions of TDP-43 are enriched in various fragments of the low-complexity C-terminal domain and are associated with different neurotoxicity. Here we dissect the structural basis of TDP-43 polymorphism using magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that various low-complexity C-terminal fragments, namely TDP-13 (TDP-43300–414), TDP-11 (TDP-43300–399), and TDP-10 (TDP-43314–414), adopt distinct polymorphic structures in their amyloid fibrillar state. Our work demonstrates that the removal of less than 10% of the low-complexity sequence at N- and C-termini generates amyloid fibrils with comparable macroscopic features but different local structural arrangement. It highlights that the assembly mechanism of TDP-43, in addition to the aggregation of the hydrophobic region, is also driven by complex interactions involving low-complexity aggregation-prone segments that are a potential source of structural polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayakrishna Shenoy
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Alons Lends
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Mélanie Berbon
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Muhammed Bilal
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Nadia El Mammeri
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Mathilde Bertoni
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Ahmad Saad
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Estelle Morvan
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, IECB, UAR 3033, Pessac, France
| | - Axelle Grélard
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - Sophie Lecomte
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
| | - François-Xavier Theillet
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-surYvette Cedex, France
| | - Alexander K. Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Brice Kauffmann
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, IECB, UAR 3033, Pessac, France
| | - Birgit Habenstein
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
- *Correspondence: Birgit Habenstein, ; Antoine Loquet,
| | - Antoine Loquet
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac, France
- *Correspondence: Birgit Habenstein, ; Antoine Loquet,
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Liu X, Li X, Qiao Q, Li F, Wei G. ALS-Linked A315T and A315E Mutations Enhance β-Barrel Formation of the TDP-43 307-319 Hexamer: A REST2 Simulation Study. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1310-1320. [PMID: 36888995 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic mutations of transactivation response element DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) are closely linked with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It was recently reported that two ALS-linked familial mutants A315T and A315E of TDP-43307-319 peptides can self-assemble into oligomers including tetramers, hexamers, and octamers, among which hexamers were suggested to form the β-barrel structure. However, due to the transient nature of oligomers, their conformational properties and the atomic mechanisms underlying the β-barrel formation remain largely elusive. Herein, we investigated the hexameric conformational distributions of the wild-type (WT) TDP-43307-319 fragment and its A315T and A315E mutants by performing all-atom explicit-solvent replica exchange with solute tempering 2 simulations. Our simulations reveal that each peptide can self-assemble into diverse conformations including ordered β-barrels, bilayer β-sheets and/or monolayer β-sheets, and disordered complexes. A315T and A315E mutants display higher propensity to form β-barrel structures than the WT, which provides atomic explanation for their enhanced neurotoxicity reported previously. Detailed interaction analysis shows that A315T and A315E mutations increase inter-molecular interactions. Also, the β-barrel structures formed by the three different peptides are stabilized by distinct inter-peptide side-chain hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, and aromatic stacking interactions. This study demonstrates the enhanced β-barrel formation of the TDP-43307-319 hexamer by the pathogenic A315T and A315E mutations and reveals the underlying molecular determinants, which may be helpful for in-depth understanding of the ALS-mutation-induced neurotoxicity of TDP-43 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuhua Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Qiao
- Digital Medical Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fangying Li
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
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Role of Triggers on the Structural and Functional Facets of TAR DNA-binding Protein 43. Neuroscience 2023; 511:110-130. [PMID: 36442745 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) mitigates cellular function, but the dynamic nucleus-cytoplasm shuttling of TDP-43 is disrupted in diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The polymorphic nature of the TDP-43 structures in vitro and in vivo is a result of environmental factors leading to the protein pathogenesis. Once the triggers which mitigate TDP-43 biochemistry are identified, new therapies can be developed. This review aims to illustrate recent discoveries in the diversity of TDP-43 structures (amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic) and highlight the triggers which result in their formation.
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11
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Different Intermolecular Interactions Drive Nonpathogenic Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Potentially Pathogenic Fibril Formation by TDP-43. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315227. [PMID: 36499553 PMCID: PMC9741235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315227] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins has been found ubiquitously in eukaryotic cells, and is critical in the control of many biological processes by forming a temporary condensed phase with different bimolecular components. TDP-43 is recruited to stress granules in cells and is the main component of TDP-43 granules and proteinaceous amyloid inclusions in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43 low complexity domain (LCD) is able to de-mix in solution, forming the protein condensed droplets, and amyloid aggregates would form from the droplets after incubation. The molecular interactions regulating TDP-43 LCD LLPS were investigated at the protein fusion equilibrium stage, when the droplets stopped growing after incubation. We found the molecules in the droplet were still liquid-like, but with enhanced intermolecular helix-helix interactions. The protein would only start to aggregate after a lag time and aggregate slower than at the condition when the protein does not phase separately into the droplets, or the molecules have a reduced intermolecular helix-helix interaction. In the protein condensed droplets, a structural transition intermediate toward protein aggregation was discovered involving a decrease in the intermolecular helix-helix interaction and a reduction in the helicity. Our results therefore indicate that different intermolecular interactions drive LLPS and fibril formation. The discovery that TDP-43 LCD aggregation was faster through the pathway without the first protein phase separation supports that LLPS and the intermolecular helical interaction could help maintain the stability of TDP-43 LCD.
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12
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Knight AC, Morrone CD, Varlow C, Yu WH, McQuade P, Vasdev N. Head-to-Head Comparison of Tau-PET Radioligands for Imaging TDP-43 in Post-Mortem ALS Brain. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 25:513-527. [PMID: 36258099 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01779-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In vivo detection of transactivation response element DNA binding protein-43 kDa (TDP-43) aggregates through positron emission tomography (PET) would impact the ability to successfully develop therapeutic interventions for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the ability of six tau PET radioligands to bind to TDP-43 aggregates in post-mortem brain tissues from ALS patients. PROCEDURES Herein, we report the first head-to-head evaluation of six tritium labeled isotopologs of tau-targeting PET radioligands, [3H]MK-6240 (a.k.a. florquinitau), [3H]Genentech Tau Probe-1 (GTP-1), [3H]JNJ-64326067(JNJ-067), [3H]CBD-2115, [3H]flortaucipir, and [3H]APN-1607, and their ability to bind to the β-pleated sheet structures of aggregate TDP-43 in post-mortem ALS brain tissues by autoradiography and immunostaining methods. Post-mortem frontal cortex, motor cortex, and cerebellum tissues were evaluated, and binding intensity was aligned with areas of elevated phosphorylated tau (ptau), pTDP-43, and β-amyloid. RESULTS Negligible binding was observed with [3H]MK-6240, [3H]JNJ-067, and [3H]GTP-1. While [3H]CBD-2115 displayed marginal specific binding, this binding did not significantly correlate with the distribution of pTDP-43 and AT8 inclusions. Of the remaining ligands, the distribution of [3H]flortaucipir did not significantly correlate to pTDP-43 pathology; however, specific binding trends to a positive relationship with tau. Finally, [3H]APN-1607 relates most strongly to amyloid load and does not indicate pTDP-43 pathology as confirmed by [3H]PiB distribution in sister sections. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the prominent nature of mixed pathology in ALS, and do not support the application of [3H]MK-6240, [3H]JNJ-067, [3H]GTP-1, [3H]CBD-2115, [3H]flortaucipir, or [3H]APN-1607 for selective imaging TDP-43 in ALS for clinical research with the currently available in vitro data. Identification of potent and selective radiotracers for TDP-43 remains an ongoing challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C Knight
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher D Morrone
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cassis Varlow
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wai Haung Yu
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul McQuade
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, 35 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neil Vasdev
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada.
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13
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Slow Evolution toward “Super-Aggregation” of the Oligomers Formed through the Swapping of RNase A N-Termini: A Wish for Amyloidosis? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911192. [PMID: 36232496 PMCID: PMC9569824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natively monomeric RNase A can oligomerize upon lyophilization from 40% acetic acid solutions or when it is heated at high concentrations in various solvents. In this way, it produces many dimeric or oligomeric conformers through the three-dimensional domain swapping (3D-DS) mechanism involving both RNase A N- or/and C-termini. Here, we found many of these oligomers evolving toward not negligible amounts of large derivatives after being stored for up to 15 months at 4 °C in phosphate buffer. We call these species super-aggregates (SAs). Notably, SAs do not originate from native RNase A monomer or from oligomers characterized by the exclusive presence of the C-terminus swapping of the enzyme subunits as well. Instead, the swapping of at least two subunits’ N-termini is mandatory to produce them. Through immunoblotting, SAs are confirmed to derive from RNase A even if they retain only low ribonucleolytic activity. Then, their interaction registered with Thioflavin-T (ThT), in addition to TEM analyses, indicate SAs are large and circular but not “amyloid-like” derivatives. This confirms that RNase A acts as an “auto-chaperone”, although it displays many amyloid-prone short segments, including the 16–22 loop included in its N-terminus. Therefore, we hypothesize the opening of RNase A N-terminus, and hence its oligomerization through 3D-DS, may represent a preliminary step favoring massive RNase A aggregation. Interestingly, this process is slow and requires low temperatures to limit the concomitant oligomers’ dissociation to the native monomer. These data and the hypothesis proposed are discussed in the light of protein aggregation in general, and of possible future applications to contrast amyloidosis.
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14
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Li F, Chen Y, Liu X, Tang Y, Dong X, Wei G. Atomistic Insights into A315E Mutation-Enhanced Pathogenicity of TDP-43 Core Fibrils. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2743-2754. [PMID: 36053560 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) into fibrillary deposits is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and some hereditary mutations localized in the low complexity domain (LCD) facilitate the formation of pathogenic TDP-43 fibrils. A recent cryo-EM study reported the atomic-level structures of the A315E TDP-43 LCD (residues 288-319, TDP-43288-319) core fibril in which the protofilaments have R-shaped structures and hypothesized that A315E U-shaped protofilaments can readily convert to R-shaped protofilaments compared to the wild-type (WT) ones. There are no atomic structures of WT protofilaments available yet. Herein, we performed extensive all-atom explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations on A315E and WT protofilaments starting from both the cryo-EM-determined R-shaped and our constructed U-shaped structures. Our simulations show that WT protofilaments also adopt the R-shaped structures but are less stable than their A315E counterparts. Except for R293-E315 salt bridges, N312-F316 hydrophobic interactions and F316-F316 π-π stacking interactions are also crucial for the stabilization of the neck region of the R-shaped A315E protofilaments. The loss of R293-E315 salt bridges and the weakened interactions of N312-F316 and F316-F316 result in the reduced stability of the R-shaped WT protofilaments. Simulations starting from U-shaped folds reveal that A315E protofilaments can spontaneously convert to the cryo-EM-derived R-shaped protofilaments, whereas WT protofilaments convert to R-shape-like structures with remodeled neck regions. The R-shape-like WT protofilaments could act as intermediate states slowing down the U-to-R transition. This study reveals that A315E mutation can not only enhance the structural stability of the R-shaped TDP-43288-319 protofilaments but also promote the U-to-R transition, which provides atomistic insights into the A315E mutation-enhanced TDP-43 pathogenicity in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangying Li
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xuewei Dong
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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15
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Paron F, Barattucci S, Cappelli S, Romano M, Berlingieri C, Stuani C, Laurents D, Mompeán M, Buratti E. Unravelling the toxic effects mediated by the neurodegenerative disease-associated S375G mutation of TDP-43 and its S375E phosphomimetic variant. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102252. [PMID: 35835219 PMCID: PMC9364110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102252] [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: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a nucleic acid–binding protein found in the nucleus that accumulates in the cytoplasm under pathological conditions, leading to proteinopathies, such as frontotemporal dementia and ALS. An emerging area of TDP-43 research is represented by the study of its post-translational modifications, the way they are connected to disease-associated mutations, and what this means for pathological processes. Recently, we described a novel mutation in TDP-43 in an early onset ALS case that was affecting a potential phosphorylation site in position 375 (S375G). A preliminary characterization showed that both the S375G mutation and its phosphomimetic variant, S375E, displayed altered nuclear–cytoplasmic distribution and cellular toxicity. To better investigate these effects, here we established cell lines expressing inducible WT, S375G, and S375E TDP-43 variants. Interestingly, we found that these mutants do not seem to affect well-studied aspects of TDP-43, such as RNA splicing or autoregulation, or protein conformation, dynamics, or aggregation, although they do display dysmorphic nuclear shape and cell cycle alterations. In addition, RNA-Seq analysis of these cell lines showed that although the disease-associated S375G mutation and its phosphomimetic S375E variant regulate distinct sets of genes, they have a common target in mitochondrial apoptotic genes. Taken together, our data strongly support the growing evidence that alterations in TDP-43 post-translational modifications can play a potentially important role in disease pathogenesis and provide a further link between TDP-43 pathology and mitochondrial health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paron
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Barattucci
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Cappelli
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Christian Berlingieri
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristiana Stuani
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Douglas Laurents
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, Spanish National Research Council, Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Mompeán
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, Spanish National Research Council, Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
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16
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Garg DK, Bhat R. Modulation of assembly of TDP-43 low-complexity domain by heparin: From droplets to amyloid fibrils. Biophys J 2022; 121:2568-2582. [PMID: 35644946 PMCID: PMC9300664 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is an RNA-regulating protein that carries out many cellular functions through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The LLPS of TDP-43 is mediated by its C-terminal low-complexity domain (TDP43-LCD) corresponding to the region 267-414. In neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, pathological inclusions of the TDP-43 are found that are rich in the C-terminal fragments of ∼25 and ∼35 kDa, of which TDP43-LCD is a part. Thus, understanding the assembly process of TDP43-LCD is essential, given its involvement in the formation of both functional liquid-like assemblies and solid- or gel-like pathological aggregates. Here, we show that the solution pH and salt modulate TDP43-LCD LLPS. A gradual reduction in the pH below its isoelectric point of 9.8 results in a monotonic decrease of TDP43-LCD LLPS due to charge-charge repulsion between monomers, while at pH 6 and below no LLPS was observed. The addition of heparin to TDP43-LCD solution at pH 6, at a 1:2 heparin-to-TDP43-LCD molar ratio, promotes TDP43-LCD LLPS, while at higher concentration, it disrupts LLPS through a reentrant phase transition. Upon incubation at pH 6, TDP43-LCD undergoes gelation without phase separation. However, in the reentrant regime in the presence of a high heparin concentration, it forms thick amyloid aggregates that are significantly more SDS resistant than the gel. The results indicate that the material nature of the TDP43-LCD assembly products can be modulated by heparin which is significant in the context of liquid-to-solid phase transition observed in TDP-43 proteinopathies. Our findings are also crucial in relation to similar transitions that could occur due to alteration in the molecular level interactions among various multivalent biomolecules involving other LCDs and RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajiv Bhat
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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17
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Liu X, Lao Z, Li X, Dong X, Wei G. ALS-associated A315E and A315pT variants exhibit distinct mechanisms in inducing irreversible aggregation of TDP-43 312-317 peptides. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:16263-16273. [PMID: 35758309 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01625g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is intensively associated with insoluble aggregates formed by transactivation response element DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in the cytoplasm of neuron cells. A recent experimental study reported that two ALS-linked familial variants, A315E and A315pT (pT, phosphorylated threonine), can induce irreversible aggregation of the TDP-43 312NFGAFS317 segment (TDP-43312-317). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely elusive. Here, we investigated the early aggregation process of the wild type (WT) 312NFGAFS317 segment and its A315E and A315pT variants by performing multiple microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations show that the two variants display lower fluidity than WT, consistent with their decreased labilities observed in previous denaturation assay experiments. Despite each of the two variants carrying one negative charge, unexpectedly, we find that both A315E mutation and A315pT phosphorylation enhance intermolecular interactions and result in the formation of more compact oligomers. Compared to WT, A315E oligomers possess low β-sheet content but a compact hydrophobic core, while A315pT oligomers have high β-sheet content and large β-sheets. Side chain hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions as well as N312-E315 salt bridges contribute most to the increased aggregation propensity of the A315E mutant. By contrast, main chain and side chain hydrogen-bonding interactions, side chain hydrophobic and aromatic interactions, are crucial to the enhanced aggregation capability of the A315pT variant. These results indicate that glutamate mutation and phosphorylation at position 315 induce the irreversible aggregation of TDP-43312-317 peptides through differential mechanisms, which remind us that we should be careful in the investigation of the phosphorylation effect on protein aggregation by using phosphomimetic substitutions. This study provides mechanistic insights into the A315E/A315pT-induced irreversible aggregation of TDP-43312-317, which may be helpful for the in-depth understanding of ALS-mutation/phosphorylation-associated liquid-to-solid phase transition of TDP-43 protein aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
| | - Zenghui Lao
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
| | - Xuhua Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Xuewei Dong
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
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18
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Hu L, Mao S, Lin L, Bai G, Liu B, Mao J. Stress granules in the spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The correlation and promising therapy. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105749. [PMID: 35568100 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing genetic and biochemical evidence has broadened our view of the pathomechanisms that lead to Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), two fatal neurodegenerative diseases with similar symptoms and causes. Stress granules are dynamic cytosolic storage hubs for mRNAs in response to stress exposures, that are evolutionarily conserved cytoplasmic RNA granules in somatic cells. A lot of previous studies have shown that the impaired stress granules are crucial events in SMA/ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we described the key stress granules related RNA binding proteins (SMN, TDP-43, and FUS) involved in SMA/ALS, summarized the reported mutations in these RNA binding proteins involved in SMA/ALS pathogenesis, and discussed the mechanisms through which stress granules dynamics participate in the diseases. Meanwhile, we described the applications and limitation of current therapies targeting SMA/ALS. We futher proposed the promising targets on stress granules in the future therapeutic interventions of SMA/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- LiDan Hu
- the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China.
| | - Shanshan Mao
- the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Li Lin
- the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Guannan Bai
- the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Bingjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianhua Mao
- the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
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19
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Laurents DV, Stuani C, Pantoja-Uceda D, Buratti E, Mompeán M. Aromatic and aliphatic residues of the disordered region of TDP-43 are on a fast track for self-assembly. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 578:110-114. [PMID: 34560580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The C-terminal, intrinsically disordered, prion-like domain (PrLD) of TDP-43 promotes liquid condensate and solid amyloid formation. These phase changes are crucial to the normal biological functions of the protein but also for its abnormal aggregation, which is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and certain dementias. We and other previously found that certain amyloid forms emerge from an intermediate condensed state that acts as a nucleus for fibrillization. To quantitatively ascertain the role of individual residues within TDP-43's PrLD in its early self-assembly we have followed the kinetics of NMR 1H-15N HSQC signal loss to obtain values for the lag time, elongation rate and extent of condensate formation at equilibrium. The results of this analysis represent a robust corroboration that aliphatic and aromatic residues are key drivers of condensate formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas V Laurents
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, Spanish National Research Council, Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristiana Stuani
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - David Pantoja-Uceda
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, Spanish National Research Council, Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miguel Mompeán
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, Spanish National Research Council, Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Liu W, Li C, Shan J, Wang Y, Chen G. Insights into the aggregation mechanism of RNA recognition motif domains in TDP-43: a theoretical exploration. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210160. [PMID: 34457335 PMCID: PMC8371369 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is associated with several diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) due to pathogenic aggregations. In this work, we examined the dimer, tetramer and hexamer models built from the RRM domains of TDP-43 using molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the protein-protein docking. Our results showed that the formations of the dimer models are mainly achieved by the interactions of the RRM1 domains. The parallel β-sheet layers between the RRM1 domains provide most of the binding sites in these oligomer models, and thus play an important role in the aggregation process. The approaching of the parallel β-sheet layers from small oligomer models gradually expand to large ones through the allosteric communication between the α1/α2 helices of the RRM1 domains, which maintains the binding affinities and interactions in the larger oligomer models. Using the repeatable-superimposing method based on the tetramer models, we proposed a new aggregation mechanism of RRM domains in TDP-43, which could well characterize the formation of the large aggregation models with the repeated, helical and rope-like structures. These new insights help to understand the amyloid-like aggregation phenomena of TDP-43 protein in ALS and FTLD diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoqun Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Heterocyclic Compounds, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials, Handan University, Handan 056005, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiankai Shan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangju Chen
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
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21
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Chien HM, Lee CC, Huang JJT. The Different Faces of the TDP-43 Low-Complexity Domain: The Formation of Liquid Droplets and Amyloid Fibrils. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158213. [PMID: 34360978 PMCID: PMC8348237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a nucleic acid-binding protein that is involved in transcription and translation regulation, non-coding RNA processing, and stress granule assembly. Aside from its multiple functions, it is also known as the signature protein in the hallmark inclusions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients. TDP-43 is built of four domains, but its low-complexity domain (LCD) has become an intense research focus that brings to light its possible role in TDP-43 functions and involvement in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases. Recent endeavors have further uncovered the distinct biophysical properties of TDP-43 under various circumstances. In this review, we summarize the multiple structural and biochemical properties of LCD in either promoting the liquid droplets or inducing fibrillar aggregates. We also revisit the roles of the LCD in paraspeckles, stress granules, and cytoplasmic inclusions to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Ming Chien
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei City 115, Taiwan; (H.-M.C.); (C.-C.L.)
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 115, Taiwan
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University, Taipei City 115, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Lee
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei City 115, Taiwan; (H.-M.C.); (C.-C.L.)
| | - Joseph Jen-Tse Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei City 115, Taiwan; (H.-M.C.); (C.-C.L.)
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City 600, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei City 115, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-5572-8652
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22
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Buratti E. Trends in Understanding the Pathological Roles of TDP-43 and FUS Proteins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1281:243-267. [PMID: 33433879 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51140-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Following the discovery of TDP-43 and FUS involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD), the major challenge in the field has been to understand their physiological functions, both in normal and disease conditions. The hope is that this knowledge will improve our understanding of disease and lead to the development of effective therapeutic options. Initially, the focus has been directed at characterizing the role of these proteins in the control of RNA metabolism, because the main function of TDP-43 and FUS is to bind coding and noncoding RNAs to regulate their life cycle within cells. As a result, we now have an in-depth picture of the alterations that occur in RNA metabolism following their aggregation in various ALS/FTLD models and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in patients' brains. In parallel, progress has been made with regard to understanding how aggregation of these proteins occurs in neurons, how it can spread in different brain regions, and how these changes affect various metabolic cellular pathways to result in neuronal death. The aim of this chapter will be to provide a general overview of the trending topics in TDP-43 and FUS investigations and to highlight what might represent the most promising avenues of research in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
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23
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Kim G, Bolbolan K, Shahidehpour R, Jamshidi P, Gefen T, Ayala IA, Weintraub S, Bigio EH, Mesulam MM, Geula C. Morphology and Distribution of TDP-43 Pre-inclusions in Primary Progressive Aphasia. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2020; 78:229-237. [PMID: 30753613 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusely stained phosphorylated 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43)-positive "pre-inclusions" have been described. This experiment investigated morphological subtypes of pre-inclusions and their relationship with TDP-43 inclusions in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a dementia characterized by gradual dissolution of language. Brain sections from 5 PPA participants with postmortem diagnoses of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP) were immunohistochemically stained using an antibody to phosphorylated TDP-43 and quantitatively examined for regional and hemispheric distribution using unbiased stereology. Cortical TDP-43 pre-inclusions included smooth, granular/dot-like, or fibrillar staining with localization to the nucleus, cytoplasm, or both. Mature and pre-inclusions were quantified in a region with high and a region with low mature inclusion density, and contralateral homologs. Regions with lower mature inclusions were characterized by higher densities of pre-inclusions, while increasing burden of inclusions corresponded to lower densities of pre-inclusions (p < 0.05). Mature inclusions showed significant asymmetry that favored the language-dominant hemisphere (p < 0.01), while pre-inclusions displayed the opposite pattern (p < 0.01). Granular-type pre-inclusions were more abundant (p < 0.05) and drove the hemispheric and regional differences (p < 0.02). These results suggest that pre-inclusions are present in greater abundance prior to the formation of mature TDP-43 inclusions, and appear to develop through progressive stages into mature intracytoplasmic, or intranuclear aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garam Kim
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kabriya Bolbolan
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ryan Shahidehpour
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Pouya Jamshidi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ivan A Ayala
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Eileen H Bigio
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marek-Marsel Mesulam
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Changiz Geula
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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24
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Srinivasan E, Rajasekaran R. A Systematic and Comprehensive Review on Disease-Causing Genes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:1742-1770. [PMID: 32415434 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by degeneration and axon loss from the upper motor neuron, that descends from the lower motor neuron in the brain. Over the period, assorted outcomes from medical findings, molecular pathogenesis, and structural and biophysical studies have abetted in providing thoughtful insights underlying the importance of disease-causing genes in ALS. Consequently, numerous mechanisms were proposed for the pathogenesis of ALS, considering protein mutations, aggregation, and misfolding. Besides, the answers to the majority of ALS cases that happen to be sporadic still remain obscure. The application in discovering susceptibility factors in ALS contemplating the genetic factors is to be further dissevered in the future years with innovation in research studies. Hence, this review targets in revisiting the breakthroughs on the disease-causing genes related with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Srinivasan
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (deemed to be university), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - R Rajasekaran
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (deemed to be university), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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25
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Zhuo XF, Wang J, Zhang J, Jiang LL, Hu HY, Lu JX. Solid-State NMR Reveals the Structural Transformation of the TDP-43 Amyloidogenic Region upon Fibrillation. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:3412-3421. [PMID: 32003979 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b10736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
TDP-43 is a primary pathological hallmark protein of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, which may exist in the form of amyloid inclusions in the cells of patients. In addition to serving as a biomarker for these diseases, TDP-43 can also directly trigger neurodegeneration. We previously determined the amyloidogenic core region of TDP-43 (residues 311-360) and showed by solution NMR that this region includes two α-helices [(321-330) and (335-343)] in solution. We suggested that the helix-to-sheet structural transformation initiates TDP-43 aggregation. In the present study, X-ray diffraction shows that TDP-43 (311-360) aggregates adopt a cross-β structure. Thioredoxin (Trx)-fused TDP-43 (311-360) can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) before fibrillation, suggesting that phase separation is an intermediate step before amyloid formation. Solid-state NMR (SSNMR), carried out to elucidate the structural changes of TDP-43 (311-360) at the atomic level, indicates five β-strands of the amyloids formed, with the major two β-strands contributed by the first helical region in the solution structure. The NMR evidence is also in support of the fibril having a parallel in-register conformation, implying a mechanism in which the helix-helix interactions in LLPS are converted into β-strand parallel lateral association upon fibrillation. Our studies have assigned many key interresidue interactions that contribute to the stability of the fibril, including F316 with I318 and Q327 and W334 with A325, A326, A329, and S332. SSNMR with 1H detection reveals a unique close interaction between the indole Nε1-Hε1 of W334 and the side-chain carbonyl of Q343. This interaction could be a very important factor in initiating TDP-43 (311-360) folding/misfolding in LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Feng Zhuo
- School of Life Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science , Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200031 , People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science , Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200031 , People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , People's Republic of China
| | - Lei-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science , Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200031 , People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science , Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200031 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Xia Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , People's Republic of China
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26
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Pillai M, Jha SK. Early Metastable Assembly during the Stress-Induced Formation of Worm-like Amyloid Fibrils of Nucleic Acid Binding Domains of TDP-43. Biochemistry 2020; 59:315-328. [PMID: 31898895 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
TDP-43 protein travels between the cytosol and the nucleus to perform its nucleic acid binding functions through its two tandem RNA recognition motif domains (TDP-43tRRM). When exposed to various environmental stresses, it forms abnormal aggregates in the cytosol of neurons, which are the hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other TDP-43 proteinopathies. However, the nature of early structural changes upon stress sensing and the consequent steps during the course of aggregation are not well understood. In this study, we show that under low-pH conditions, mimicking starvation stress, TDP-43tRRM undergoes a conformational opening reaction linked to the protonation of buried ionizable residues and grows into a metastable oligomeric assembly (called the "low-pH form" or the "L form"). In the L form, the protein molecules have disrupted tertiary structure, solvent-exposed hydrophobic patches, and mobile side chains but the native-like secondary structure remains intact. The L form structure is held by weak interactions and has a steep dependence on ionic strength. In the presence of as little as 15 mM KCl, it fully misfolds and further oligomerizes to form a β-sheet rich "β form" in at least two distinct steps. The β form has an ordered, stable structure that resembles worm-like amyloid fibrils. The unstructured regions of the protein gain structure during L ⇌ β conversion. Our results suggest that TDP-43tRRM could function as a stress sensor and support a recent model in which stress sensing during neurodegeneration occurs by assembly of proteins into metastable assemblies that are precursors to the solid aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Pillai
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division , CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory , Dr. Homi Bhabha Road , Pune 411008 , India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) , Ghaziabad 201002 , India
| | - Santosh Kumar Jha
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division , CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory , Dr. Homi Bhabha Road , Pune 411008 , India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) , Ghaziabad 201002 , India
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27
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Shenoy J, El Mammeri N, Dutour A, Berbon M, Saad A, Lends A, Morvan E, Grélard A, Lecomte S, Kauffmann B, Theillet FX, Habenstein B, Loquet A. Structural dissection of amyloid aggregates of TDP-43 and its C-terminal fragments TDP-35 and TDP-16. FEBS J 2019; 287:2449-2467. [PMID: 31782904 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) self-assembles into prion-like aggregates considered to be the structural hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Here, we use a combination of electron microscopy, X-ray fiber diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the molecular organization of different TDP constructs, namely the full-length TDP-43 (1-414), two C-terminal fragments [TDP-35 (90-414) and TDP-16 (267-414)], and a C-terminal truncated fragment (TDP-43 ∆GaroS2), in their fibrillar state. Although the different protein constructs exhibit similar fibril morphology and a typical cross-β signature by X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR indicates that TDP-43 and TDP-35 share the same polymorphic molecular structure, while TDP-16 encompasses a well-ordered amyloid core. We identified several residues in the so-called C-terminal GaroS2 (368-414) domain that participates in the rigid core of TDP-16 fibrils, underlining its importance during the aggregation process. Our findings demonstrate that C-terminal fragments can adopt a different molecular conformation in isolation or in the context of the full-length assembly, suggesting that the N-terminal domain and RRM domains play an important role in the TDP-43 amyloid transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayakrishna Shenoy
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Nadia El Mammeri
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Antoine Dutour
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Mélanie Berbon
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Ahmad Saad
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Alons Lends
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Estelle Morvan
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, UMS3033, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie (IECB), Pessac, France
| | - Axelle Grélard
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Sophie Lecomte
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Brice Kauffmann
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, UMS3033, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie (IECB), Pessac, France
| | - François-Xavier Theillet
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris Sud, UMR 9198, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Birgit Habenstein
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
| | - Antoine Loquet
- CBMN (UMR5248), Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, Pessac, France
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28
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François-Moutal L, Perez-Miller S, Scott DD, Miranda VG, Mollasalehi N, Khanna M. Structural Insights Into TDP-43 and Effects of Post-translational Modifications. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:301. [PMID: 31920533 PMCID: PMC6934062 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA binding protein (TDP-43) is a key player in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we have gathered and presented structural information on the different regions of TDP-43 with high resolution structures available. A thorough understanding of TDP-43 structure, effect of modifications, aggregation and sites of localization is necessary as we develop therapeutic strategies targeting TDP-43 for neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss how different domains as well as post-translational modification may influence TDP-43 overall structure, aggregation and droplet formation. The primary aim of the review is to utilize structural insights as we develop an understanding of the deleterious behavior of TDP-43 and highlight locations of established and proposed post-translation modifications. TDP-43 structure and effect on localization is paralleled by many RNA-binding proteins and this review serves as an example of how structure may be modulated by numerous compounding elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberty François-Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David D Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Victor G Miranda
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Niloufar Mollasalehi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - May Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, AZ, United States
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29
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Mompeán M, Ramírez de Mingo D, Hervás R, Fernández-Ramírez MDC, Carrión-Vázquez M, Laurents DV. Molecular mechanism of the inhibition of TDP-43 amyloidogenesis by QBP1. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 675:108113. [PMID: 31568752 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.108113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transactive Response DNA-Binding Protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is an essential human protein implicated in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and common dementias. Its C-terminal disordered region, composed of residues 264-414 includes a hydrophobic segment (residues 320-340), which drives physiological liquid/liquid phase separation and a Q/N-rich segment (residues 341-357), which is essential for pathological amyloid formation. Due to TDP-43's relevance for pathology, identifying inhibitors and characterizing their mechanism of action are important pharmacological goals. The Polyglutamine Binding Peptide 1 (QBP1), whose minimal active core is the octapeptide WGWWPGIF, strongly inhibits the aggregation of polyQ-containing amyloidogenic proteins such as Huntingtin. Rather promiscuous, this inhibitor also blocks the aggregation of other glutamine containing amyloidogenic proteins, but not Aβ, and its mechanism of action remains unknown. Using a series of spectroscopic assays and biochemical tests, we establish that QBP1 binds and inhibits amyloid formation by TDP-43's Q/N-rich region. NMR spectroscopic data evince that the aromatic rings of QBP1 accept hydrogen bonds from the HN groups of the Asn and Gln to block amyloidogenesis. This mechanism of blockage may be general to polyphenol amyloid inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Mompeán
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano", CSIC, Serrano 119, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Hervás
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avda. Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, 28002, Spain
| | | | | | - Douglas V Laurents
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano", CSIC, Serrano 119, Madrid, 28006, Spain.
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30
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Bolognesi B, Faure AJ, Seuma M, Schmiedel JM, Tartaglia GG, Lehner B. The mutational landscape of a prion-like domain. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4162. [PMID: 31519910 PMCID: PMC6744496 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12101-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Insoluble protein aggregates are the hallmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. For example, aggregates of TDP-43 occur in nearly all cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, whether aggregates cause cellular toxicity is still not clear, even in simpler cellular systems. We reasoned that deep mutagenesis might be a powerful approach to disentangle the relationship between aggregation and toxicity. We generated >50,000 mutations in the prion-like domain (PRD) of TDP-43 and quantified their toxicity in yeast cells. Surprisingly, mutations that increase hydrophobicity and aggregation strongly decrease toxicity. In contrast, toxic variants promote the formation of dynamic liquid-like condensates. Mutations have their strongest effects in a hotspot that genetic interactions reveal to be structured in vivo, illustrating how mutagenesis can probe the in vivo structures of unstructured proteins. Our results show that aggregation of TDP-43 is not harmful but protects cells, most likely by titrating the protein away from a toxic liquid-like phase. TDP43 aggregates are a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. By using deep mutagenesis to measure the toxicity of more than 50,000 mutations in the prion domain of TDP43, the authors conclude that mutations that increase toxicity promote formation of liquid-like condensates, while aggregation of TDP43 is protective for the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Bolognesi
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Andre J Faure
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Seuma
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jörn M Schmiedel
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Ben Lehner
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain. .,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
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31
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French RL, Grese ZR, Aligireddy H, Dhavale DD, Reeb AN, Kedia N, Kotzbauer PT, Bieschke J, Ayala YM. Detection of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) oligomers as initial intermediate species during aggregate formation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:6696-6709. [PMID: 30824544 PMCID: PMC6497947 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregates of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein) are a hallmark of the overlapping neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The process of TDP-43 aggregation remains poorly understood, and whether it includes formation of intermediate complexes is unknown. Here, we analyzed aggregates derived from purified TDP-43 under semidenaturing conditions, identifying distinct oligomeric complexes at the initial time points before the formation of large aggregates. We found that this early oligomerization stage is primarily driven by TDP-43's RNA-binding region. Specific binding to GU-rich RNA strongly inhibited both TDP-43 oligomerization and aggregation, suggesting that RNA interactions are critical for maintaining TDP-43 solubility. Moreover, we analyzed TDP-43 liquid-liquid phase separation and detected similar detergent-resistant oligomers upon maturation of liquid droplets into solid-like fibrils. These results strongly suggest that the oligomers form during the early steps of TDP-43 misfolding. Importantly, the ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations A315T and M337V significantly accelerate aggregation, rapidly decreasing the monomeric population and shortening the oligomeric phase. We also show that aggregates generated from purified TDP-43 seed intracellular aggregation detected by established TDP-43 pathology markers. Remarkably, cytoplasmic aggregate seeding was detected earlier for the A315T and M337V variants and was 50% more widespread than for WT TDP-43 aggregates. We provide evidence for an initial step of TDP-43 self-assembly into intermediate oligomeric complexes, whereby these complexes may provide a scaffold for aggregation. This process is altered by ALS-linked mutations, underscoring the role of perturbations in TDP-43 homeostasis in protein aggregation and ALS-FTD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L French
- From the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Zachary R Grese
- From the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Himani Aligireddy
- From the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Dhruva D Dhavale
- the Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, and
| | - Ashley N Reeb
- From the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Niraja Kedia
- the MRC Prion Unit, University College London, London W1W 7FF, United Kingdom
| | - Paul T Kotzbauer
- the Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, and
| | - Jan Bieschke
- the MRC Prion Unit, University College London, London W1W 7FF, United Kingdom
| | - Yuna M Ayala
- From the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103,
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32
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Prasad A, Bharathi V, Sivalingam V, Girdhar A, Patel BK. Molecular Mechanisms of TDP-43 Misfolding and Pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:25. [PMID: 30837838 PMCID: PMC6382748 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 382] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a versatile RNA/DNA binding protein involved in RNA-related metabolism. Hyper-phosphorylated and ubiquitinated TDP-43 deposits act as inclusion bodies in the brain and spinal cord of patients with the motor neuron diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). While the majority of ALS cases (90-95%) are sporadic (sALS), among familial ALS cases 5-10% involve the inheritance of mutations in the TARDBP gene and the remaining (90-95%) are due to mutations in other genes such as: C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, and NEK1 etc. Strikingly however, the majority of sporadic ALS patients (up to 97%) also contain the TDP-43 protein deposited in the neuronal inclusions, which suggests of its pivotal role in the ALS pathology. Thus, unraveling the molecular mechanisms of the TDP-43 pathology seems central to the ALS therapeutics, hence, we comprehensively review the current understanding of the TDP-43's pathology in ALS. We discuss the roles of TDP-43's mutations, its cytoplasmic mis-localization and aberrant post-translational modifications in ALS. Also, we evaluate TDP-43's amyloid-like in vitro aggregation, its physiological vs. pathological oligomerization in vivo, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and potential prion-like propagation propensity of the TDP-43 inclusions. Finally, we describe the various evolving TDP-43-induced toxicity mechanisms, such as the impairment of endocytosis and mitotoxicity etc. and also discuss the emerging strategies toward TDP-43 disaggregation and ALS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Basant K. Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, India
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33
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Newell K, Paron F, Mompean M, Murrell J, Salis E, Stuani C, Pattee G, Romano M, Laurents D, Ghetti B, Buratti E. Dysregulation of TDP-43 intracellular localization and early onset ALS are associated with a TARDBP S375G variant. Brain Pathol 2018; 29:397-413. [PMID: 30461104 PMCID: PMC6875182 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the Central Nervous System (CNS) and skeletal muscle tissue from A woman was clinically diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 22. Neuropathologic evaluation showed upper and lower motor neuron loss, corticospinal tract degeneration and skeletal muscle denervation. Analysis of the patient's Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) revealed a AGT>GGT change resulting in an S375G substitution in the C-terminal region of TDP-43. This variant was previously reported as being benign. Considering the early onset and severity of the disease in this patient, we tested the effects of this genetic variant on TDP-43 localization, pre-mRNA splicing activity and toxicity, in parallel with the effects on known neighboring disease-associated mutations. In cell lines, expressed in culture, S375G TDP-43 appeared to be more significantly localized in the nucleus and to exert higher toxicity than wild-type TDP-43. Strikingly, a phosphomimic mutant at the same residue (S375E) showed a strong tendency to accumulate in the cytoplasm, especially under stress conditions, and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that phosphorylation of this residue can disrupt TDP-43 intermolecular interactions. The results of the current study highlight the importance of phosphorylation and regulation of TDP-43 nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling/redistribution, in relation to the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in different forms of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Newell
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Kansas City, MO
| | - Francesca Paron
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Miguel Mompean
- University of Castile-La Mancha, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jill Murrell
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Elisa Salis
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristiana Stuani
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Gary Pattee
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE
| | - Maurizio Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Douglas Laurents
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernardino Ghetti
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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Pillai M, Jha SK. The Folding and Aggregation Energy Landscapes of Tethered RRM Domains of Human TDP-43 Are Coupled via a Metastable Molten Globule-like Oligomer. Biochemistry 2018; 58:608-620. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Pillai
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Jha
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
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35
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Sun Y, Medina Cruz A, Hadley KC, Galant NJ, Law R, Vernon RM, Morris VK, Robertson J, Chakrabartty A. Physiologically Important Electrolytes as Regulators of TDP-43 Aggregation and Droplet-Phase Behavior. Biochemistry 2018; 58:590-607. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Sun
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Alison Medina Cruz
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Kevin C. Hadley
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Natalie J. Galant
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ryan Law
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Robert M. Vernon
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Vanessa K. Morris
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Avijit Chakrabartty
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, TMDT 4-305, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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36
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TDP-43 and RNA form amyloid-like myo-granules in regenerating muscle. Nature 2018; 563:508-513. [PMID: 30464263 PMCID: PMC6324568 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A dominant histopathological feature in neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and inclusion body myopathy, is cytoplasmic aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43. Although rare mutations in TARDBP-the gene that encodes TDP-43-that lead to protein misfolding often cause protein aggregation, most patients do not have any mutations in TARDBP. Therefore, aggregates of wild-type TDP-43 arise in most patients by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that TDP-43 is an essential protein for normal skeletal muscle formation that unexpectedly forms cytoplasmic, amyloid-like oligomeric assemblies, which we call myo-granules, during regeneration of skeletal muscle in mice and humans. Myo-granules bind to mRNAs that encode sarcomeric proteins and are cleared as myofibres mature. Although myo-granules occur during normal skeletal-muscle regeneration, myo-granules can seed TDP-43 amyloid fibrils in vitro and are increased in a mouse model of inclusion body myopathy. Therefore, increased assembly or decreased clearance of functionally normal myo-granules could be the source of cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates that commonly occur in neuromuscular disease.
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Exploring the aggregation-prone regions from structural domains of human TDP-43. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1867:286-296. [PMID: 30315897 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
TDP-43 (transactive- response DNA binding protein) amazes structural biologist as its aberrant ubiquitinated cytosolic inclusions is largely involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). An important question in TDP-43 research is to identify the structural region mediating the formation of cytoplasmic pathological aggregates. In this study, we attempted to delineate the aggregation-prone sequences of the structural domain of TDP-43. Here, we investigated the self-assembly of peptides of TDP-43 using aggregation prediction algorithms, Zipper DB and AMYLPRED2. The three aggregation-prone peptides identified were from N-terminal domain (24GTVLLSTV31), and RNA recognition motifs, RRM1 (128GEVLMVQV135) and RRM2 (247DLIIKGIS254). Furthermore, the amyloid fibril forming propensities of these peptides were analyzed through different biophysical techniques and molecular dynamics simulation. Our study shows the different aggregation ability of conserved stretches in structural domain of TDP-43 that will possibly induce full-length aggregation of TDP-43 in vivo. The peptide form RRM2 demonstrates the higher intrinsic amyloid forming propensity and suggests that RRM2 might form the structural core of TDP-43 aggregation seen in vivo. The results of this study would help in designing peptide based inhibitors of TDP-43 aggregation.
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38
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Savelieff MG, Nam G, Kang J, Lee HJ, Lee M, Lim MH. Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade. Chem Rev 2018; 119:1221-1322. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masha G. Savelieff
- SciGency Science Communications, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, United States
| | - Geewoo Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhye Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuck Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Misun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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Lella M, Mahalakshmi R. Direct Structural Annotation of Membrane Protein Aggregation Loci using Peptide-Based Reverse Mapping. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:2967-2971. [PMID: 29763546 PMCID: PMC6005643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b00953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Membrane protein aggregation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Despite remarkable advances to map protein aggregation, molecular elements that drive the structural transition from functional to amyloidogenic β-sheet polymers remain elusive. Here, we report a simple and reliable reverse-mapping method to identify the molecular elements. We validate our approach by obtaining molecular details of aggregation loci of human β-barrel nanopore ion channels that are vital for cell survival. By coupling bottom-up synthesis with time-resolved aggregation kinetics and high-resolution imaging, we identify molecular elements that switch folded channels to polymeric β-rich aggregates. We prove that intrinsic protein aggregation and amyloidogenicity does not depend on total hydrophobicity but on single residue differences in the primary sequence. Our method offers effective strategies for sequence-based design of aggregation inhibitors in biomedicine for neurodegenerative diseases.
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40
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Li HR, Chiang WC, Chou PC, Wang WJ, Huang JR. TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) liquid-liquid phase separation is mediated by just a few aromatic residues. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:6090-6098. [PMID: 29511089 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac117.001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells contain distinct organelles, but not all of these compartments are enclosed by membranes. Some intrinsically disordered proteins mediate membraneless organelle formation through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). LLPS facilitates many biological functions such as regulating RNA stability and ribonucleoprotein assembly, and disruption of LLPS pathways has been implicated in several diseases. Proteins exhibiting LLPS typically have low sequence complexity and specific repeat motifs. These motifs promote multivalent connections with other molecules and the formation of higher-order oligomers, and their removal usually prevents LLPS. The intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), a protein involved in motor neuron disease and dementia lacks a dominant LLPS motif, however, and how this domain forms condensates is unclear. Using extensive mutagenesis of TDP-43, we demonstrate here that three tryptophan residues and, to a lesser extent, four other aromatic residues are most important for TDP-43 to undergo LLPS. Our results also suggested that only a few residues may be required for TDP-43 LLPS because the α-helical segment (spanning ∼20 residues) in the middle part of the C-terminal domain tends to self-assemble, reducing the number of motifs required for forming a multivalent connection. Our results indicating that a self-associating α-helical element with a few key residues regulates condensate formation highlight a different type of LLPS involving intrinsically disordered regions. The C-terminal domain of TDP-43 contains ∼50 disease-related mutations, with no clear physicochemical link between them. We propose that they may disrupt LLPS indirectly by interfering with the key residues identified here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ru Li
- From the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Wan-Chin Chiang
- From the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Po-Chun Chou
- From the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Won-Jing Wang
- From the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Jie-Rong Huang
- From the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and .,the Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
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41
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Feneberg E, Gray E, Ansorge O, Talbot K, Turner MR. Towards a TDP-43-Based Biomarker for ALS and FTLD. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7789-7801. [PMID: 29460270 PMCID: PMC6132775 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0947-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
TDP-43 accumulates in nerve cells of nearly all cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; the commonest form of motor neuron disease) and in the majority of Tau-negative frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). There is currently no biochemical test or marker of disease activity for ALS or FTLD, and the clinical diagnosis depends on the opinion of an experienced neurologist. TDP-43 has a key role in the pathogenesis of ALS/FTLD. Measuring TDP-43 in easily accessible biofluids, such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid, might reduce diagnostic delay and offer a readout for use in future drug trials. However, attempts at measuring disease-specific forms of TDP-43 in peripheral biofluids of ALS and FTLD patients have not yielded consistent results, and only some of the pathological biochemical features of TDP-43 found in human brain tissue have been detected in clinical biofluids to date. Reflecting on the molecular pathology of TDP-43, this review provides a critical overview on biofluid studies and future directions to develop a TDP-43-based clinical biomarker for ALS and FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Feneberg
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing Level 6, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Elizabeth Gray
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Olaf Ansorge
- Neuropathology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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42
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Shenouda M, Zhang AB, Weichert A, Robertson J. Mechanisms Associated with TDP-43 Neurotoxicity in ALS/FTLD. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 20:239-263. [PMID: 29916022 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-89689-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of TDP-43 as a major disease protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) was first made in 2006. Prior to 2006 there were only 11 publications related to TDP-43, now there are over 2000, indicating the importance of TDP-43 to unraveling the complex molecular mechanisms that underpin the pathogenesis of ALS/FTLD. Subsequent to this discovery, TDP-43 pathology was also found in other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, the significance of which is still in the early stages of exploration. TDP-43 is a predominantly nuclear DNA/RNA-binding protein, one of a number of RNA-binding proteins that are now known to be linked with ALS/FTLD, including Fused in Sarcoma (FUS), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1). However, what sets TDP-43 apart is the vast number of cases in which TDP-43 pathology is present, providing a point of convergence, the understanding of which could lead to broadly applicable therapeutics. Here we will focus on TDP-43 in ALS/FTLD, its nuclear and cytoplasmic functions, and consequences should these functions go awry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Shenouda
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Ashley B Zhang
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Anna Weichert
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.
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43
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van der Wel PCA. Insights into protein misfolding and aggregation enabled by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. SOLID STATE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE 2017; 88:1-14. [PMID: 29035839 PMCID: PMC5705391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssnmr.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of proteins and peptides into a variety of insoluble, and often non-native, aggregated states plays a central role in many devastating diseases. Analogous processes undermine the efficacy of polypeptide-based biological pharmaceuticals, but are also being leveraged in the design of biologically inspired self-assembling materials. This Trends article surveys the essential contributions made by recent solid-state NMR (ssNMR) studies to our understanding of the structural features of polypeptide aggregates, and how such findings are informing our thinking about the molecular mechanisms of misfolding and aggregation. A central focus is on disease-related amyloid fibrils and oligomers involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. SSNMR-enabled structural and dynamics-based findings are surveyed, along with a number of resulting emerging themes that appear common to different amyloidogenic proteins, such as their compact alternating short-β-strand/β-arc amyloid core architecture. Concepts, methods, future prospects and challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C A van der Wel
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a leading cause of death in the developed world and a natural, albeit unfortunate, consequence of longer-lived populations. Despite great demand for therapeutic intervention, it is often the case that these diseases are insufficiently understood at the basic molecular level. What little is known has prompted much hopeful speculation about a generalized mechanistic thread that ties these disparate conditions together at the subcellular level and can be exploited for broad curative benefit. In this review, we discuss a prominent theory supported by genetic and pathological changes in an array of neurodegenerative diseases: that neurons are particularly vulnerable to disruption of RNA-binding protein dosage and dynamics. Here we synthesize the progress made at the clinical, genetic, and biophysical levels and conclude that this perspective offers the most parsimonious explanation for these mysterious diseases. Where appropriate, we highlight the reciprocal benefits of cross-disciplinary collaboration between disease specialists and RNA biologists as we envision a future in which neurodegeneration declines and our understanding of the broad importance of RNA processing deepens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin G Conlon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - James L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
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45
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Li HR, Chen TC, Hsiao CL, Shi L, Chou CY, Huang JR. The physical forces mediating self-association and phase-separation in the C-terminal domain of TDP-43. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1866:214-223. [PMID: 28988034 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The TAR DNA-binding protein of 43kDa (TDP-43) has been identified as the main component of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cytoplasmic inclusions. The link between this proteinopathy and TDP-43's intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain is well known, but recently also, this domain has been shown to be involved in the formation of the membraneless organelles that mediate TDP-43's functions. The mechanisms that underpin the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of these membraneless organelles undergo remain elusive. Crucially though, these factors may be the key to understanding the delicate balance between TDP-43's physiological and pathological functions. In this study, we used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical methods to demonstrate that an α-helical component in the centre (residues 320-340) of the C-terminal domain is related to the protein's self-association and LLPS. Systematically analysing ALS-related TDP-43 mutants (G298S, M337V, and Q331K) in different buffer conditions at different temperatures, we prove that this phase separation is driven by hydrophobic interactions but is inhibited by electrostatic repulsion. Based on these findings, we rationally introduced a mutant, W334G, and demonstrate that this mutant disrupts LLPS without disturbing this α-helical propensity. This tryptophan may serve as a key residue in this protein's LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ru Li
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chen Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lun Hsiao
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yuan Chou
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Rong Huang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155 Section 2, Li-nong Street, Taipei, Taiwan.
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46
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Partida-Hanon A, Treviño MA, Mompeán M, Jiménez MÁ, Bruix M. Structural insight into the XTACC3/XMAP215 interaction from CD and NMR studies on model peptides. Biopolymers 2017; 107. [PMID: 28922450 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
TACC3 is a centrosomal adaptor protein that plays important roles during mitotic spindle assembly. It interacts with chTOG/XMAP215, which catalyzes the addition of tubulin dimers during microtubule growth. A 3D coiled-coil model for this interaction is available but the structural details are not well described. To characterize this interaction at atomic resolution, we have designed a simplified version of the system based on small peptides. Four different peptides have been studied by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance both singly and in all possible combinations; namely, five peptide pairs and two trios. In cosolvents, all single peptides tend to adopt helical conformations resembling those of the full-length protein. However, neither the single peptides nor pairs of peptides form coiled coils. We show that the simultaneous presence of all preformed helices is a prerequisite for binding. The simplest 3D model for the interaction, based on the NMR results, is proposed. Interestingly, the peptide's structure remains unaffected by mutations at essential positions for TACC3 activity. This suggests that the lack of interaction of this TACC3 mutant with XMAP does not correlate with changes in the protein structure and that specific interactions are likely responsible for the interaction and stability of the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel A Treviño
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry, IQFR-CSIC, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | - Miguel Mompeán
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry, IQFR-CSIC, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | - Ma Ángeles Jiménez
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry, IQFR-CSIC, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | - Marta Bruix
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry, IQFR-CSIC, Madrid, 28006, Spain
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47
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Garnier C, Devred F, Byrne D, Puppo R, Roman AY, Malesinski S, Golovin AV, Lebrun R, Ninkina NN, Tsvetkov PO. Zinc binding to RNA recognition motif of TDP-43 induces the formation of amyloid-like aggregates. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6812. [PMID: 28754988 PMCID: PMC5533730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of TDP-43 (transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa) is a hallmark of certain forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Moreover, intracellular TDP-43-positive inclusions are often found in other neurodegenerative diseases. Recently it was shown that zinc ions can provoke the aggregation of endogenous TDP-43 in cells, allowing to assume a direct interaction of TDP-43 with zinc ions. In this work, we investigated zinc binding to the 102-269 TDP-43 fragment, which comprise the two RNA recognition motifs. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and differential scanning fluorimetry, we showed that zinc binds to this TDP-43 domain with a dissociation constant in the micromolar range and modifies its tertiary structure leading to a decrease of its thermostability. Moreover, the study by dynamic light scattering and negative stain electron microscopy demonstrated that zinc ions induce auto-association process of this TDP-43 fragment into rope-like structures. These structures are thioflavin-T-positive allowing to hypothesize the direct implication of zinc ions in pathological aggregation of TDP-43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Garnier
- Mécanismes Moléculaires dans les Démences Neurodégénératives, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, F-34095, Montpellier, France
- Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042, Rennes cedex, France
| | - François Devred
- Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Faculté de Pharmacie, 13385, Marseille, France
| | - Deborah Byrne
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS, FR3479, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Rémy Puppo
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS, FR3479, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Andrei Yu Roman
- Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Faculté de Pharmacie, 13385, Marseille, France
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, RAS, 142432, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
| | - Soazig Malesinski
- Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Faculté de Pharmacie, 13385, Marseille, France
| | - Andrey V Golovin
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Régine Lebrun
- Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS, FR3479, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Natalia N Ninkina
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, RAS, 142432, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation.
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Philipp O Tsvetkov
- Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Faculté de Pharmacie, 13385, Marseille, France.
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48
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Abrakhi S, Kretov DA, Desforges B, Dobra I, Bouhss A, Pastré D, Hamon L. Nanoscale Analysis Reveals the Maturation of Neurodegeneration-Associated Protein Aggregates: Grown in mRNA Granules then Released by Stress Granule Proteins. ACS NANO 2017; 11:7189-7200. [PMID: 28657719 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
TDP-43 and FUS are two mRNA-binding proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases that form cytoplasmic inclusions with prion-like properties in affected neurons. Documenting the early stages of the formation of TDP-43 or FUS protein aggregates and the role of mRNA stress granules that are considered as critical intermediates for protein aggregation is therefore of interest to understand disease propagation. Here, we developed a single molecule approach via atomic force microscopy (AFM), which provides structural information out of reach by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, the aggregation process can be probed in the test tube without separating the interacting partners, which would affect the thermodynamic equilibrium. The results demonstrate that isolated mRNA molecules serve as crucibles to promote TDP-43 and FUS multimerization. Their subsequent merging results in the formation of mRNA granules containing TDP-43 and FUS aggregates. Interestingly, TDP-43 or FUS protein aggregates can be released from mRNA granules by either YB-1 or G3BP1, two stress granule proteins that compete for the binding to mRNA with TDP-43 and FUS. Altogether, the results indicate that age-related successive assembly/disassembly of stress granules in neurons, regulated by mRNA-binding proteins such as YB-1 and G3BP1, could be a source of protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanae Abrakhi
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
| | - Dmitry A Kretov
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences , Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
| | - Bénédicte Desforges
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
| | - Ioana Dobra
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
| | - Ahmed Bouhss
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
| | - David Pastré
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
| | - Loic Hamon
- SABNP, Univ Evry, INSERM U1204, Université Paris-Saclay , 91025 Evry, France
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49
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Jiang LL, Xue W, Hong JY, Zhang JT, Li MJ, Yu SN, He JH, Hu HY. The N-terminal dimerization is required for TDP-43 splicing activity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6196. [PMID: 28733604 PMCID: PMC5522446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06263-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is a nuclear factor that functions in promoting pre-mRNA splicing. Deletion of the N-terminal domain (NTD) and nuclear localization signal (NLS) (i.e., TDP-35) results in mislocalization to cytoplasm and formation of inclusions. However, how the NTD functions in TDP-43 activity and proteinopathy remains largely unknown. Here, we studied the structure and function of the NTD in inclusion formation and pre-mRNA splicing of TDP-43 by using biochemical and biophysical approaches. We found that TDP-43 NTD forms a homodimer in solution in a concentration-dependent manner, and formation of intermolecular disulfide results in further tetramerization. Based on the NMR structure of TDP-43 NTD, the dimerization interface centered on Leu71 and Val72 around the β7-strand was defined by mutagenesis and size-exclusion chromatography. Cell experiments revealed that the N-terminal dimerization plays roles in protecting TDP-43 against formation of cytoplasmic inclusions and enhancing pre-mRNA splicing activity of TDP-43 in nucleus. This study may provide mechanistic insights into the physiological function of TDP-43 and its related proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Ye Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Ting Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, P.R. China
| | - Min-Jun Li
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 239 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201204, P.R. China
| | - Shao-Ning Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Hua He
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 239 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201204, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P.R. China.
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50
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Mompeán M, Romano V, Pantoja-Uceda D, Stuani C, Baralle FE, Buratti E, Laurents DV. Point mutations in the N-terminal domain of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) compromise its stability, dimerization, and functions. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:11992-12006. [PMID: 28566288 PMCID: PMC5512090 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.775965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) performs multiple tasks in mRNA processing, transport, and translational regulation, but it also forms aggregates implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. TDP-43's N-terminal domain (NTD) is important for these activities and dysfunctions; however, there is an open debate about whether or not it adopts a specifically folded, stable structure. Here, we studied NTD mutations designed to destabilize its structure utilizing NMR and fluorescence spectroscopies, analytical ultracentrifugation, splicing assays, and cell microscopy. The substitutions V31R and T32R abolished TDP-43 activity in splicing and aggregation processes, and even the rather mild L28A mutation severely destabilized the NTD, drastically reducing TDP-43's in vitro splicing activity and inducing aberrant localization and aggregation in cells. These findings strongly support the idea that a stably folded NTD is essential for correct TDP-43 function. The stably folded NTD also promotes dimerization, which is pertinent to the protein's activities and pathological aggregation, and we present an atomic-level structural model for the TDP-43 dimer based on NMR data. Leu-27 is evolutionarily well conserved even though it is exposed in the monomeric NTD. We found here that Leu-27 is buried in the dimer and that the L27A mutation promotes monomerization. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the structural and biological properties of the TDP-43 NTD, indicating that the NTD must be stably folded for TDP-43's physiological functions, and has implications for understanding the mechanisms promoting the pathological aggregation of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Mompeán
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 119, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Romano
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - David Pantoja-Uceda
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 119, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristiana Stuani
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francisco E Baralle
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, I-34149 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Douglas V Laurents
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 119, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
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