1
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Mercer RCC, Le NTT, Fraser DG, Houser MCQ, Beeler AB, Harris DA. Sigma Receptor Ligands Are Potent Antiprion Compounds that Act Independently of Sigma Receptor Binding. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2265-2282. [PMID: 38743607 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00095] [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] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other animals for which there are no effective treatment options. Previous work from our laboratory identified phenethylpiperidines as a novel class of anti-prion compounds. While working to identify the molecular target(s) of these molecules, we unexpectedly discovered ten novel antiprion compounds based on their known ability to bind to the sigma receptors, σ1R and σ2R, which are currently being tested as therapeutic or diagnostic targets for cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, however, knockout of the respective genes encoding σ1R and σ2R (Sigmar1 and Tmem97) in prion-infected N2a cells did not alter the antiprion activity of these compounds, demonstrating that these receptors are not the direct targets responsible for the antiprion effects of their ligands. Further investigation of the most potent molecules established that they are efficacious against multiple prion strains and protect against downstream prion-mediated synaptotoxicity. While the precise details of the mechanism of action of these molecules remain to be determined, the present work forms the basis for further investigation of these compounds in preclinical studies. Given the therapeutic utility of several of the tested compounds, including rimcazole and haloperidol for neuropsychiatric conditions, (+)-pentazocine for neuropathic pain, and the ongoing clinical trials of SA 4503 and ANAVEX2-73 for ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, this work has immediate implications for the treatment of human prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C C Mercer
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Nhat T T Le
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Douglas G Fraser
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Mei C Q Houser
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Aaron B Beeler
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David A Harris
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
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2
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Mercer RCC, Le NTT, Houser MCQ, Beeler AB, Harris DA. Sigma receptor ligands are potent anti-prion compounds that act independently of sigma receptor binding. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.28.569035. [PMID: 38077011 PMCID: PMC10705434 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.28.569035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other animals for which there are no treatment options. Previous work from our laboratory identified phenethyl piperidines as novel class of anti-prion compounds. While working to identify the molecular target(s) of these molecules, we unexpectedly discovered ten novel anti-prion compounds based on their known ability to bind to the sigma receptors, σ 1 R and 2 R, which are currently being tested as therapeutic or diagnostic targets for cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, however, knockout of the respective genes encoding σ 1 R and σ 2 R ( Sigmar1 and Tmem97 ), in prion infected N2a cells did not alter the anti-prion activity of these compounds, demonstrating that these receptors are not the direct targets responsible the anti-prion effects of their ligands. Further investigation of the most potent molecules established that they are efficacious against multiple prion strains and protect against downstream prion-mediated synaptotoxicity. While the precise details of the mechanism of action of these molecules remains to be determined, the present work forms the basis for further investigations of these compounds in pre-clinical studies. Given the therapeutic utility of several of the tested compounds, including rimcazole and haloperidol for neuropsychiatric conditions, (+)-pentazocine for neuropathic pain, and the ongoing clinical trials of SA 4503 and ANAVEX2-73 for ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, this work has immediate implications for the treatment of human prion disease.
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3
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Controlling amyloid formation of intrinsically disordered proteins and peptides: slowing down or speeding up? Essays Biochem 2022; 66:959-975. [PMID: 35975807 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The pathological assembly of intrinsically disordered proteins/peptides (IDPs) into amyloid fibrils is associated with a range of human pathologies, including neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases and systemic amyloidosis. These debilitating disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and the number of people affected is increasing sharply. However, the discovery of therapeutic agents has been immensely challenging largely because of (i) the diverse number of aggregation pathways and the multi-conformational and transient nature of the related proteins or peptides and (ii) the under-development of experimental pipelines for the identification of disease-modifying molecules and their mode-of-action. Here, we describe current approaches used in the search for small-molecule modulators able to control or arrest amyloid formation commencing from IDPs and review recently reported accelerators and inhibitors of amyloid formation for this class of proteins. We compare their targets, mode-of-action and effects on amyloid-associated cytotoxicity. Recent successes in the control of IDP-associated amyloid formation using small molecules highlight exciting possibilities for future intervention in protein-misfolding diseases, despite the challenges of targeting these highly dynamic precursors of amyloid assembly.
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4
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Kirschenbaum D, Dadgar‐Kiani E, Catto F, Voigt FF, Trevisan C, Bichsel O, Shirani H, Nilsson KPR, Frontzek KJ, Paganetti P, Helmchen F, Lee JH, Aguzzi A. Whole-brain microscopy reveals distinct temporal and spatial efficacy of anti-Aβ therapies. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 15:e16789. [PMID: 36382364 PMCID: PMC9832821 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many efforts targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease thus far have resulted in failures during clinical trials. Regional and temporal heterogeneity of efficacy and dependence on plaque maturity may have contributed to these disappointing outcomes. In this study, we mapped the regional and temporal specificity of various anti-Aβ treatments through high-resolution light-sheet imaging of electrophoretically cleared brains. We assessed the effect on amyloid plaque formation and growth in Thy1-APP/PS1 mice subjected to β-secretase inhibitors, polythiophenes, or anti-Aβ antibodies. Each treatment showed unique spatiotemporal Aβ clearance, with polythiophenes emerging as a potent anti-Aβ compound. Furthermore, aligning with a spatial-transcriptomic atlas revealed transcripts that correlate with the efficacy of each Aβ therapy. As observed in this study, there is a striking dependence of specific treatments on the location and maturity of Aβ plaques. This may also contribute to the clinical trial failures of Aβ-therapies, suggesting that combinatorial regimens may be significantly more effective in clearing amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kirschenbaum
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | | | - Francesca Catto
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Fabian F Voigt
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research InstituteUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland,Neuroscience Center ZurichUniversity of Zurich & ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Oliver Bichsel
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Hamid Shirani
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and BiologyLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and BiologyLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
| | - Karl J Frontzek
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Biomedical NeurosciencesTorricella‐TaverneNeurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale OspedalieroSwitzerland,Faculty of Biomedical NeurosciencesUniversità della Svizzera ItalianaLuganoSwitzerland
| | - Fritjof Helmchen
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research InstituteUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jin Hyung Lee
- Department of BioengineeringStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA,Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA,Department of Electrical EngineeringStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA,Department of NeurosurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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5
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Nikolić L, Ferracin C, Legname G. Recent advances in cellular models for discovering prion disease therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:985-996. [PMID: 35983689 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2113773] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are a group of rare and lethal rapidly progressive neurodegenerative diseases arising due to conversion of the physiological cellular prion protein into its pathological counterparts, denoted as "prions". These agents are resistant to inactivation by standard decontamination procedures and can be transmitted between individuals, consequently driving the irreversible brain damage typical of the diseases. AREAS COVERED Since its infancy, prion research has mainly depended on animal models for untangling the pathogenesis of the disease as well as for the drug development studies. With the advent of prion-infected cell lines, relevant animal models have been complemented by a variety of cell-based models presenting a much faster, ethically acceptable alternative. EXPERT OPINION To date, there are still either no effective prophylactic regimens or therapies for human prion diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more relevant cellular models that best approximate in vivo models. Each cellular model presented and discussed in detail in this review has its own benefits and limitations. Once embarking in a drug screening campaign for the identification of molecules that could interfere with prion conversion and replication, one should carefully consider the ideal cellular model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Nikolić
- PhD Student in Functional and Structural Genomics, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy,
| | - Chiara Ferracin
- PhD Student in Functional and Structural Genomics, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- D.Phil., Full Professor of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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6
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Teruya K, Doh-Ura K. Therapeutic development of polymers for prion disease. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:349-365. [PMID: 35307792 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03604-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are caused by the accumulation of abnormal isoforms of the prion protein (scrapie isoform of the prion protein, PrPSc) in the central nervous system. Many compounds with anti-prion activities have been found using in silico screening, in vitro models, persistently prion-infected cell models, and prion-infected rodent models. Some of these compounds include several types of polymers. Although the inhibition or removal of PrPSc production is the main target of therapy, the unique features of prions, namely protein aggregation and assembly accompanied by steric structural transformation, may require different strategies for the development of anti-prion drugs than those for conventional therapeutics targeting enzyme inhibition, agonist ligands, or modulation of signaling. In this paper, we first overview the history of the application of polymers to prion disease research. Next, we describe the characteristics of each type of polymer with anti-prion activity. Finally, we discuss the common features of these polymers. Although drug delivery of these polymers to the brain is a challenge, they are useful not only as leads for therapeutic drugs but also as tools to explore the structure of PrPSc and are indispensable for prion disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Katsumi Doh-Ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
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7
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Tailor made synthesis of water-soluble polythiophene-graft-poly(caprolactone-block-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) copolymer and their pH tunable self-assembly and optoelectronic properties. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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8
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Bizat N, Parrales V, Laoues S, Normant S, Levavasseur E, Roussel J, Privat N, Gougerot A, Ravassard P, Beaudry P, Brandel JP, Laplanche JL, Haïk S. An in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans model for therapeutic research in human prion diseases. Brain 2021; 144:2745-2758. [PMID: 34687213 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab152] [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: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that include sporadic, infectious and genetic forms. Inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease due to the E200K mutation of the prion protein-coding gene is the most common form of genetic prion disease. The phenotype resembles that of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease at both the clinical and pathological levels, with a median disease duration of 4 months. To date, there is no available treatment for delaying the occurrence or slowing the progression of human prion diseases. Existing in vivo models do not allow high-throughput approaches that may facilitate the discovery of compounds targeting pathological assemblies of human prion protein or their effects on neuronal survival. Here, we generated a genetic model in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which is devoid of any homologue of the prion protein, by expressing human prion protein with the E200K mutation in the mechanosensitive neuronal system. Expression of E200K prion protein induced a specific behavioural pattern and neurodegeneration of green fluorescent protein-expressing mechanosensitive neurons, in addition to the formation of intraneuronal inclusions associated with the accumulation of a protease-resistant form of the prion protein. We demonstrated that this experimental system is a powerful tool for investigating the efficacy of anti-prion compounds on both prion-induced neurodegeneration and prion protein misfolding, as well as in the context of human prion protein. Within a library of 320 compounds that have been approved for human use and cross the blood-brain barrier, we identified five molecules that were active against the aggregation of the E200K prion protein and the neurodegeneration it induced in transgenic animals. This model breaks a technological limitation in prion therapeutic research and provides a key tool to study the deleterious effects of misfolded prion protein in a well-described neuronal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Bizat
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.,Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Paris University, Paris F-75006, France
| | - Valeria Parrales
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sofian Laoues
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Normant
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Etienne Levavasseur
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Julian Roussel
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Privat
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Alexianne Gougerot
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Ravassard
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Patrice Beaudry
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Brandel
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.,AP-HP, Cellule Nationale de Référence des Maladies de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris F-75013, France
| | - Jean-Louis Laplanche
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Paris University, Paris F-75006, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1144, Paris F-75006, France
| | - Stéphane Haïk
- Paris Brain Institute, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.,AP-HP, Cellule Nationale de Référence des Maladies de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris F-75013, France
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9
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Sandin L, Sjödin S, Brorsson AC, Kågedal K, Civitelli L. The Luminescent Conjugated Oligothiophene h-FTAA Attenuates the Toxicity of Different Aβ Species. Biochemistry 2021; 60:2773-2780. [PMID: 34469142 PMCID: PMC8459454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00265] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevailing opinion is that prefibrillar β-amyloid (Aβ) species, rather than end-stage amyloid fibrils, cause neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, although the mechanisms behind Aβ neurotoxicity remain to be elucidated. Luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs) exhibit spectral properties upon binding to amyloid proteins and have previously been reported to change the toxicity of Aβ1-42 and prion protein. In a previous study, we showed that an LCO, pentamer formyl thiophene acetic acid (p-FTAA), changed the toxicity of Aβ1-42. Here we investigated whether an LCO, heptamer formyl thiophene acetic acid (h-FTAA), could change the toxicity of Aβ1-42 by comparing its behavior with that of p-FTAA. Moreover, we investigated the effects on toxicity when Aβ with the Arctic mutation (AβArc) was aggregated with both LCOs. Cell viability assays on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells demonstrated that h-FTAA has a stronger impact on Aβ1-42 toxicity than does p-FTAA. Interestingly, h-FTAA, but not p-FTAA, rescued the AβArc-mediated toxicity. Aggregation kinetics and binding assay experiments with Aβ1-42 and AβArc when aggregated with both LCOs showed that h-FTAA and p-FTAA either interact with different species or affect the aggregation in different ways. In conclusion, h-FTAA protects against Aβ1-42 and AβArc toxicity, thus showing h-FTAA to be a useful tool for improving our understanding of the process of Aβ aggregation linked to cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Sandin
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Simon Sjödin
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kågedal
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Livia Civitelli
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
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Carta M, Aguzzi A. Molecular foundations of prion strain diversity. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:22-31. [PMID: 34416480 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite being caused by a single protein, prion diseases are strikingly heterogenous. Individual prion variants, known as strains, possess distinct biochemical properties, form aggregates with characteristic morphologies and preferentially seed certain brain regions, causing markedly different disease phenotypes. Strain diversity is determined by protein structure, post-translational modifications and the presence of extracellular matrix components, with single amino acid substitutions or altered protein glycosylation exerting dramatic effects. Here, we review recent advances in the study of prion strains and discuss how a deeper knowledge of the molecular origins of strain heterogeneity is providing a foundation for the development of anti-prion therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfredi Carta
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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11
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Lakkaraju AKK, Frontzek K, Lemes E, Herrmann U, Losa M, Marpakwar R, Aguzzi A. Loss of PIKfyve drives the spongiform degeneration in prion diseases. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14714. [PMID: 34291577 PMCID: PMC8518562 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain‐matter vacuolation is a defining trait of all prion diseases, yet its cause is unknown. Here, we report that prion infection and prion‐mimetic antibodies deplete the phosphoinositide kinase PIKfyve—which controls endolysosomal maturation—from mouse brains, cultured cells, organotypic brain slices, and brains of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease victims. We found that PIKfyve is acylated by the acyltransferases zDHHC9 and zDHHC21, whose juxtavesicular topology is disturbed by prion infection, resulting in PIKfyve deacylation and rapid degradation, as well as endolysosomal hypertrophy and activation of TFEB‐dependent lysosomal enzymes. A protracted unfolded protein response (UPR), typical of prion diseases, also induced PIKfyve deacylation and degradation. Conversely, UPR antagonists restored PIKfyve levels in prion‐infected cells. Overexpression of zDHHC9 and zDHHC21, administration of the antiprion polythiophene LIN5044, or supplementation with the PIKfyve reaction product PI(3,5)P2 suppressed prion‐induced vacuolation and restored lysosomal homeostasis. Thus, PIKfyve emerges as a central mediator of vacuolation and neurotoxicity in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl Frontzek
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Emina Lemes
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Uli Herrmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Losa
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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12
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Vallan L, Istif E, Gómez IJ, Alegret N, Mantione D. Thiophene-Based Trimers and Their Bioapplications: An Overview. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1977. [PMID: 34208624 PMCID: PMC8234281 DOI: 10.3390/polym13121977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Certainly, the success of polythiophenes is due in the first place to their outstanding electronic properties and superior processability. Nevertheless, there are additional reasons that contribute to arouse the scientific interest around these materials. Among these, the large variety of chemical modifications that is possible to perform on the thiophene ring is a precious aspect. In particular, a turning point was marked by the diffusion of synthetic strategies for the preparation of terthiophenes: the vast richness of approaches today available for the easy customization of these structures allows the finetuning of their chemical, physical, and optical properties. Therefore, terthiophene derivatives have become an extremely versatile class of compounds both for direct application or for the preparation of electronic functional polymers. Moreover, their biocompatibility and ease of functionalization make them appealing for biology and medical research, as it testifies to the blossoming of studies in these fields in which they are involved. It is thus with the willingness to guide the reader through all the possibilities offered by these structures that this review elucidates the synthetic methods and describes the full chemical variety of terthiophenes and their derivatives. In the final part, an in-depth presentation of their numerous bioapplications intends to provide a complete picture of the state of the art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Vallan
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO—UMR 5629), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS F, 33607 Pessac, France;
| | - Emin Istif
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
| | - I. Jénnifer Gómez
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Nuria Alegret
- POLYMAT and Departamento de Química Aplicada, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Daniele Mantione
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
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13
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Ghosh P, De P. Modulation of Amyloid Protein Fibrillation by Synthetic Polymers: Recent Advances in the Context of Neurodegenerative Diseases. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:6598-6625. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Ghosh
- Polymer Research Centre and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246 Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Priyadarsi De
- Polymer Research Centre and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246 Nadia, West Bengal, India
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14
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POSCAbilities: The Application of the Prion Organotypic Slice Culture Assay to Neurodegenerative Disease Research. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071079. [PMID: 32698402 PMCID: PMC7407827 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative disorders whose pathogenesis is driven by the misfolding, self-templating and cell-to-cell spread of the prion protein. Other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease, share some of these prion-like features, with different aggregation-prone proteins. Consequently, researchers have begun to apply prion-specific techniques, like the prion organotypic slice culture assay (POSCA), to these disorders. In this review we explore the ways in which the prion phenomenon has been used in organotypic cultures to study neurodegenerative diseases from the perspective of protein aggregation and spreading, strain propagation, the role of glia in pathogenesis, and efficacy of drug treatments. We also present an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of this culture system compared to in vivo and in vitro models and provide suggestions for new directions.
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15
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Colini Baldeschi A, Vanni S, Zattoni M, Legname G. Novel regulators of PrP C expression as potential therapeutic targets in prion diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:759-776. [PMID: 32631090 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1782384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorders. The key molecular event in these disorders is the misfolding of the physiological form of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, leading to the accumulation of a pathological isoform, PrPSc, with unique features. Both isoforms share the same primary sequence, lacking detectable differences in posttranslational modification, a major hurdle for their biochemical or biophysical independent characterization. The mechanism underlying the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not completely understood, so finding an effective therapy to cure prion disorders is extremely challenging. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the strategies for decreasing prion replication and throws a spotlight on the relevance of PrPC in the prion accumulation process. EXPERT OPINION PrPC is the key substrate for prion pathology; hence, the most promising therapeutic approach appears to be the targeting of PrPC to block the production of the infectious isoform. The use of RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotide technologies may offer opportunities for treatment because of their success in clinical trials for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Colini Baldeschi
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Vanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS , Meldola, Italy
| | - Marco Zattoni
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
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16
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Krance SH, Luke R, Shenouda M, Israwi AR, Colpitts SJ, Darwish L, Strauss M, Watts JC. Cellular models for discovering prion disease therapeutics: Progress and challenges. J Neurochem 2020; 153:150-172. [PMID: 31943194 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prions, which cause fatal neurodegenerative disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, are misfolded and infectious protein aggregates. Currently, there are no treatments available to halt or even delay the progression of prion disease in the brain. The infectious nature of prions has resulted in animal paradigms that accurately recapitulate all aspects of prion disease, and these have proven to be instrumental for testing the efficacy of candidate therapeutics. Nonetheless, infection of cultured cells with prions provides a much more powerful system for identifying molecules capable of interfering with prion propagation. Certain lines of cultured cells can be chronically infected with various types of mouse prions, and these models have been used to unearth candidate anti-prion drugs that are at least partially efficacious when administered to prion-infected rodents. However, these studies have also revealed that not all types of prions are equal, and that drugs active against mouse prions are not necessarily effective against prions from other species. Despite some recent progress, the number of cellular models available for studying non-mouse prions remains limited. In particular, human prions have proven to be particularly challenging to propagate in cultured cells, which has severely hindered the discovery of drugs for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In this review, we summarize the cellular models that are presently available for discovering and testing drugs capable of blocking the propagation of prions and highlight challenges that remain on the path towards developing therapies for prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffire H Krance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Russell Luke
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc Shenouda
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmad R Israwi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah J Colpitts
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Darwish
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maximilian Strauss
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Holec SA, Block AJ, Bartz JC. The role of prion strain diversity in the development of successful therapeutic treatments. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:77-119. [PMID: 32958242 PMCID: PMC8939712 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prions are a self-propagating misfolded conformation of a cellular protein. Prions are found in several eukaryotic organisms with mammalian prion diseases encompassing a wide range of disorders. The first recognized prion disease, the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), affect several species including humans. Alzheimer's disease, synucleinopathies, and tauopathies share a similar mechanism of self-propagation of the prion form of the disease-specific protein reminiscent of the infection process of TSEs. Strain diversity in prion disease is characterized by differences in the phenotype of disease that is hypothesized to be encoded by strain-specific conformations of the prion form of the disease-specific protein. Prion therapeutics that target the prion form of the disease-specific protein can lead to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of prions, consistent with the hypothesis that prion strains exist as a dynamic mixture of a dominant strain in combination with minor substrains. To overcome this obstacle, therapies that reduce or eliminate the template of conversion are efficacious, may reverse neuropathology, and do not result in the emergence of drug resistance. Recent advancements in preclinical diagnosis of prion infection may allow for a combinational approach that treats the prion form and the precursor protein to effectively treat prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A.M. Holec
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences and Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Alyssa J. Block
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jason C. Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States,Corresponding author:
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18
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Enhanced detection of prion infectivity from blood by preanalytical enrichment with peptoid-conjugated beads. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216013. [PMID: 31513666 PMCID: PMC6742390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions cause transmissible infectious diseases in humans and animals and have been found to be transmissible by blood transfusion even in the presymptomatic stage. However, the concentration of prions in body fluids such as blood and urine is extremely low; therefore, direct diagnostic tests on such specimens often yield false-negative results. Quantitative preanalytical prion enrichment may significantly improve the sensitivity of prion assays by concentrating trace amounts of prions from large volumes of body fluids. Here, we show that beads conjugated to positively charged peptoids not only captured PrP aggregates from plasma of prion-infected hamsters, but also adsorbed prion infectivity in both the symptomatic and preclinical stages of the disease. Bead absorbed prion infectivity efficiently transmitted disease to transgenic indicator mice. We found that the readout of the peptoid-based misfolded protein assay (MPA) correlates closely with prion infectivity in vivo, thereby validating the MPA as a simple, quantitative, and sensitive surrogate indicator of the presence of prions. The reliable and sensitive detection of prions in plasma will enable a wide variety of applications in basic prion research and diagnostics.
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19
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Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive, incurable and fatal neurodegenerative conditions. The term 'prion' was first nominated to express the revolutionary concept that a protein could be infectious. We now know that prions consist of PrPSc, the pathological aggregated form of the cellular prion protein PrPC. Over the years, the term has been semantically broadened to describe aggregates irrespective of their infectivity, and the prion concept is now being applied, perhaps overenthusiastically, to all neurodegenerative diseases that involve protein aggregation. Indeed, recent studies suggest that prion diseases (PrDs) and protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) share some common disease mechanisms, which could have implications for potential treatments. Nevertheless, the transmissibility of bona fide prions is unique, and PrDs should be considered as distinct from other PMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Scheckel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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20
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Pretorius E, Page MJ, Hendricks L, Nkosi NB, Benson SR, Kell DB. Both lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acids potently induce anomalous fibrin amyloid formation: assessment with novel Amytracker™ stains. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2017.0941. [PMID: 29445039 PMCID: PMC5832738 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent work, we discovered that the presence of highly substoichiometric amounts (10−8 molar ratio) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria caused fibrinogen clotting to lead to the formation of an amyloid form of fibrin. We here show that the broadly equivalent lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) from two species of Gram-positive bacteria have similarly (if not more) potent effects. Using thioflavin T fluorescence to detect amyloid as before, the addition of low concentrations of free ferric ion is found to have similar effects. Luminescent conjugated oligothiophene dyes (LCOs), marketed under the trade name Amytracker™, also stain classical amyloid structures. We here show that they too give very large fluorescence enhancements when clotting is initiated in the presence of the four amyloidogens (LPS, ferric ions and two LTA types). The staining patterns differ significantly as a function of both the amyloidogens and the dyes used to assess them, indicating clearly that the nature of the clots formed is different. This is also the case when clotting is measured viscometrically using thromboelastography. Overall, the data provide further evidence for an important role of bacterial cell wall products in the various coagulopathies that are observable in chronic, inflammatory diseases. The assays may have potential in both diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Martin J Page
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Lisa Hendricks
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Nondumiso B Nkosi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Sven R Benson
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Douglas B Kell
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa .,School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, Lancs M1 7DN, UK.,The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, Lancs M1 7DN, UK.,Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, Lancs M1 7DN, UK
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21
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Mondal S, Roy Chowdhury S, Shah M, Kumar V, Kumar S, Iyer PK. Nanoparticle Assisted Regulation of Nucleation Pathway of Amyloid Tetramer and Inhibition of Their Fibrillation Kinetics. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:2137-2142. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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22
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Prion-Like Propagation of Post-Translationally Modified Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Hypothesis. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 65:480-490. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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23
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Fändrich M, Nyström S, Nilsson KPR, Böckmann A, LeVine H, Hammarström P. Amyloid fibril polymorphism: a challenge for molecular imaging and therapy. J Intern Med 2018; 283:218-237. [PMID: 29360284 PMCID: PMC5820168 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of misfolded proteins (MPs), both unique and common, for different diseases is central for many chronic degenerative diseases. In certain patients, MP accumulation is systemic (e.g. TTR amyloid), and in others, this is localized to a specific cell type (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). In neurodegenerative diseases, NDs, it is noticeable that the accumulation of MP progressively spreads throughout the nervous system. Our main hypothesis of this article is that MPs are not only markers but also active carriers of pathogenicity. Here, we discuss studies from comprehensive molecular approaches aimed at understanding MP conformational variations (polymorphism) and their bearing on spreading of MPs, MP toxicity, as well as MP targeting in imaging and therapy. Neurodegenerative disease (ND) represents a major and growing societal challenge, with millions of people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases alone. For all NDs, current treatment is palliative without addressing the primary cause and is not curative. Over recent years, particularly the shape-shifting properties of misfolded proteins and their spreading pathways have been intensively researched. The difficulty in addressing ND has prompted most major pharma companies to severely downsize their nervous system disorder research. Increased academic research is pivotal for filling this void and to translate basic research into tools for medical professionals. Recent discoveries of targeting drug design against MPs and improved model systems to study structure, pathology spreading and toxicity strongly encourage future studies along these lines to provide an opportunity for selective imaging, prognostic diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Fändrich
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sofie Nyström
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, division of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K. Peter R. Nilsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, division of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anja Böckmann
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Bases Moléculaires et Structurales des Systèmes Infectieux, Labex Ecofect, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université de Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367 Lyon, France
| | - Harry LeVine
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Per Hammarström
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, division of Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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24
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Charco JM, Eraña H, Venegas V, García-Martínez S, López-Moreno R, González-Miranda E, Pérez-Castro MÁ, Castilla J. Recombinant PrP and Its Contribution to Research on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. Pathogens 2017; 6:E67. [PMID: 29240682 PMCID: PMC5750591 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the disease-associated isoform (PrPSc) and its accumulation as amyloid fibrils in the central nervous system is one of the central events in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Due to the proteinaceous nature of the causal agent the molecular mechanisms of misfolding, interspecies transmission, neurotoxicity and strain phenomenon remain mostly ill-defined or unknown. Significant advances were made using in vivo and in cellula models, but the limitations of these, primarily due to their inherent complexity and the small amounts of PrPSc that can be obtained, gave rise to the necessity of new model systems. The production of recombinant PrP using E. coli and subsequent induction of misfolding to the aberrant isoform using different techniques paved the way for the development of cell-free systems that complement the previous models. The generation of the first infectious recombinant prion proteins with identical properties of brain-derived PrPSc increased the value of cell-free systems for research on TSEs. The versatility and ease of implementation of these models have made them invaluable for the study of the molecular mechanisms of prion formation and propagation, and have enabled improvements in diagnosis, high-throughput screening of putative anti-prion compounds and the design of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide an overview of the resultant advances in the prion field due to the development of recombinant PrP and its use in cell-free systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge M. Charco
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Hasier Eraña
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Vanessa Venegas
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Sandra García-Martínez
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Rafael López-Moreno
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Ezequiel González-Miranda
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Miguel Ángel Pérez-Castro
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.M.C.); (H.E.); (V.V.); (S.G.-M.); (R.L.-M.); (E.G.-M.); (M.Á.P.-C.)
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Jancy Nixon Abraham
- Polymer Science and Engineering Division; CSIR National Chemical Laboratory; Pune India
| | - Corinne Nardin
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA), Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les matériaux (IPREM); Equipe Physique et Chimie des Polymères (EPCP); Pau France
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26
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Malkowski SN, Dishuck CF, Lamanilao GG, Embry CP, Grubb CS, Cafiero M, Peterson LW. Design, Modeling and Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole-Linked Nucleoside-Amino Acid Conjugates as Potential Antibacterial Agents. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22101682. [PMID: 28994722 PMCID: PMC6151744 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC or click chemistry) are convenient methods to easily couple various pharmacophores or bioactive molecules. A new series of 1,2,3-triazole-linked nucleoside-amino acid conjugates have been designed and synthesized in 57–76% yields using CuAAC. The azido group was introduced on the 5′-position of uridine or the acyclic analogue using the tosyl-azide exchange method and alkylated serine or proparylglycine was the alkyne. Modeling studies of the conjugates in the active site of LpxC indicate they have promise as antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Malkowski
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Carolyn F Dishuck
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Gene G Lamanilao
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Carter P Embry
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Christopher S Grubb
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Mauricio Cafiero
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
| | - Larryn W Peterson
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Three decades after the discovery of prions as the cause of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, we are still nowhere close to finding an effective therapy. Numerous pharmacological interventions have attempted to target various stages of disease progression, yet none has significantly ameliorated the course of disease. We still lack a mechanistic understanding of how the prions damage the brain, and this situation results in a dearth of validated pharmacological targets. In this review, we discuss the attempts to interfere with the replication of prions and to enhance their clearance. We also trace some of the possibilities to identify novel targets that may arise with increasing insights into prion biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Asvin K K Lakkaraju
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Karl Frontzek
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland;
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28
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Abstract
A major challenge in the growing field of bioelectronic medicine is the development of tissue interface technologies promoting device integration with biological tissues. Materials based on organic bioelectronics show great promise due to a unique combination of electronic and ionic conductivity properties. In this review, we outline exciting developments in the field of organic bioelectronics and demonstrate the medical importance of these active, electronically controllable materials. Importantly, organic bioelectronics offer a means to control cell-surface attachment as required for many device-tissue applications. Experiments have shown that cells readily attach and proliferate on reduced but not oxidized organic bioelectronic materials. In another application, the active properties of organic bioelectronics were used to develop electronically triggered systems for drug release. After incorporating drugs by advanced loading strategies, small compound drugs were released upon electrochemical trigger, independent of charge. Another type of delivery device was used to achieve well-controlled, spatiotemporal delivery of cationic drugs. Via electrophoretic transport within a polymer, cations were delivered with single-cell precision. Finally, organic bioelectronic materials are commonly used as electrode coatings improving the electrical properties of recording and stimulation electrodes. Because such coatings drastically reduce the electrode impedance, smaller electrodes with improved signal-to-noise ratio can be fabricated. Thus, rapid technological advancement combined with the creation of tiny electronic devices reacting to changes in the tissue environment helps to promote the transition from standard pharmaceutical therapy to treatment based on 'electroceuticals'. Moreover, the widening repertoire of organic bioelectronics will expand the options for true biological interfaces, providing the basis for personalized bioelectronic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Löffler
- Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Melican
- Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K P R Nilsson
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - A Richter-Dahlfors
- Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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29
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Bett C, Lawrence J, Kurt TD, Orru C, Aguilar-Calvo P, Kincaid AE, Surewicz WK, Caughey B, Wu C, Sigurdson CJ. Enhanced neuroinvasion by smaller, soluble prions. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:32. [PMID: 28431576 PMCID: PMC5399838 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0430-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious prion aggregates can propagate from extraneural sites into the brain with remarkable efficiency, likely transported via peripheral nerves. Yet not all prions spread into the brain, and the physical properties of a prion that is capable of transit within neurons remain unclear. We hypothesized that small, diffusible aggregates spread into the CNS via peripheral nerves. Here we used a structurally diverse panel of prion strains to analyze how the prion conformation impacts transit into the brain. Two prion strains form fibrils visible ultrastructurally in the brain in situ, whereas three strains form diffuse, subfibrillar prion deposits and no visible fibrils. The subfibrillar strains had significantly higher levels of soluble prion aggregates than the fibrillar strains. Primary neurons internalized both the subfibrillar and fibril-forming prion strains by macropinocytosis, and both strain types were transported from the axon terminal to the cell body in vitro. However in mice, only the predominantly soluble, subfibrillar prions, and not the fibrillar prions, were efficiently transported from the tongue to the brain. Sonicating a fibrillar prion strain increased the solubility and enabled prions to spread into the brain in mice, as evident by a 40% increase in the attack rate, indicating that an increase in smaller particles enhances prion neuroinvasion. Our data suggest that the small, highly soluble prion particles have a higher capacity for transport via nerves. These findings help explain how prions that predominantly assemble into subfibrillar states can more effectively traverse into and out of the CNS, and suggest that promoting fibril assembly may slow the neuron-to-neuron spread of protein aggregates.
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Giles K, Olson SH, Prusiner SB. Developing Therapeutics for PrP Prion Diseases. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a023747. [PMID: 28096242 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The prototypical PrP prion diseases are invariably fatal, and the search for agents to treat them spans more than 30 years, with limited success. However, in the last few years, the application of high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacokinetic optimization has led to important advances. The PrP prion inoculation paradigm provides a robust assay for testing therapeutic efficacy, and a dozen compounds have been reported that lead to meaningful extension in survival of prion-infected mice. Here, we review the history and recent progress in the field, focusing on studies validated in animal models. Based on screens in cells infected with mouse-passaged PrP prions, orally available compounds were generated that double or even triple the survival of mice infected with the same prion strain. Unfortunately, no compounds have yet shown efficacy against human prions. Nevertheless, the speed of the recent advances brings hope that an effective therapeutic can be developed. A successful treatment for any neurodegenerative disease would be a major achievement, and the growing understanding that the more common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, progress by an analogous prion mechanism serves to highlight the importance of antiprion therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Giles
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Steven H Olson
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Stanley B Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
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31
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Dubnikov T, Ben-Gedalya T, Cohen E. Protein Quality Control in Health and Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a023523. [PMID: 27864315 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining functional protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a constant challenge in the face of limited protein-folding capacity, environmental threats, and aging. Cells have developed several quality-control mechanisms that assist nascent polypeptides to fold properly, clear misfolded molecules, respond to the accumulation of protein aggregates, and deposit potentially toxic conformers in designated sites. Proteostasis collapse can lead to the development of diseases known as proteinopathies. Here we delineate the current knowledge on the different layers of protein quality-control mechanisms at the organelle and cellular levels with an emphasis on the prion protein (PrP). We also describe how protein quality control is integrated at the organismal level and discuss future perspectives on utilizing proteostasis maintenance as a strategy to develop novel therapies for the treatment of proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Dubnikov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Tziona Ben-Gedalya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ehud Cohen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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32
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Aronsson C, Selegård R, Aili D. Zinc-Triggered Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Fibrous Helix–Loop–Helix Peptide Superstructures for Controlled Encapsulation and Release. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Aronsson
- Division
of Molecular Physics,
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robert Selegård
- Division
of Molecular Physics,
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Aili
- Division
of Molecular Physics,
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Antiprion Activity of DB772 and Related Monothiophene- and Furan-Based Analogs in a Persistently Infected Ovine Microglia Culture System. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5467-82. [PMID: 27381401 PMCID: PMC4997874 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00811-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the misfolding of the native cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the accumulating, disease-associated isoform (PrPSc). Despite extensive research into the inhibition of prion accumulation, no effective treatment exists. Previously, we demonstrated the inhibitory activity of DB772, a monocationic phenyl-furan-benzimidazole, against PrPSc accumulation in sheep microglial cells. In an effort to determine the effect of structural substitutions on the antiprion activity of DB772, we employed an in vitro strategy to survey a library of structurally related, monothiophene- and furan-based compounds for improved inhibitory activity. Eighty-nine compounds were screened at 1 μM for effects on cell viability and prion accumulation in a persistently infected ovine microglia culture system. Eleven compounds with activity equivalent to or higher than that of DB772 were identified as preliminary hit compounds. For the preliminary hits, cytotoxicities and antiprion activities were compared to calculate the tissue culture selectivity index. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was performed to determine molecular components contributing to antiprion activity. To investigate potential mechanisms of inhibition, effects on PrPC and PrPSc were examined. While inhibition of total PrPC was not observed, the results suggest that a potential target for inhibition at biologically relevant concentrations is through PrPC misfolding to PrPSc. Further, SAR analysis suggests that two structural elements were associated with micromolar antiprion activity. Taken together, the described data provide a foundation for deeper investigation into untested DB compounds and in the design of effective therapeutics.
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Chowdhury SR, Agarwal M, Meher N, Muthuraj B, Iyer PK. Modulation of Amyloid Aggregates into Nontoxic Coaggregates by Hydroxyquinoline Appended Polyfluorene. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:13309-13319. [PMID: 27152771 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b03668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory modulation toward de novo protein aggregation is likely to be a vital and promising therapeutic strategy for understanding the molecular etiology of amyloid related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The building up of toxic oligomeric and fibrillar amyloid aggregates in the brain plays host to a downstream of events, causing damage to axons, dendrites, synapses, signaling, transmission, and finally cell death. Herein, we introduce a novel conjugated polymer (CP), hydroxyquinoline appended polyfluorene (PF-HQ), which has a typical "amyloid like" surface motif and exhibits inhibitory modulation effect on amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation. We delineate inhibitory effects of PF-HQ based on Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, atomic force microscopy (AFM), circular dichroism (CD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The amyloid-like PF-HQ forms nano coaggregates by templating with toxic amyloid intermediates and displays improved inhibitory impacts toward Aβ fibrillation and diminishes amyloid cytotoxicity. We have developed a CP based modulation strategy for the first time, which demonstrates beneficiary amyloid-like surface motif to interact efficiently with the protein, the pendant side groups to trap the toxic amyloid intermediates as well as optical signal to acquire the mechanistic insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Roy Chowdhury
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, and §Center for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati, 781039 Assam, India
| | - Mahesh Agarwal
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, and §Center for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati, 781039 Assam, India
| | - Niranjan Meher
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, and §Center for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati, 781039 Assam, India
| | - Balakrishnan Muthuraj
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, and §Center for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati, 781039 Assam, India
| | - Parameswar Krishnan Iyer
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, and §Center for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati, 781039 Assam, India
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Civitelli L, Sandin L, Nelson E, Khattak SI, Brorsson AC, Kågedal K. The Luminescent Oligothiophene p-FTAA Converts Toxic Aβ1-42 Species into Nontoxic Amyloid Fibers with Altered Properties. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:9233-43. [PMID: 26907684 PMCID: PMC4861488 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.696229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the brain leads to the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques, which is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). It is a general hypothesis that soluble prefibrillar assemblies of the Aβ peptide, rather than mature amyloid fibrils, cause neuronal dysfunction and memory impairment in AD. Thus, reducing the level of these prefibrillar species by using molecules that can interfere with the Aβ fibrillation pathway may be a valid approach to reduce Aβ cytotoxicity. Luminescent-conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs) have amyloid binding properties and spectral properties that differ when they bind to protein aggregates with different morphologies and can therefore be used to visualize protein aggregates. In this study, cell toxicity experiments and biophysical studies demonstrated that the LCO p-FTAA was able to reduce the pool of soluble toxic Aβ species in favor of the formation of larger insoluble nontoxic amyloid fibrils, there by counteracting Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, p-FTAA bound to early formed Aβ species and induced a rapid formation of β-sheet structures. These p-FTAA generated amyloid fibrils were less hydrophobic and more resistant to proteolysis by proteinase K. In summary, our data show that p-FTAA promoted the formation of insoluble and stable Aβ species that were nontoxic which indicates that p-FTAA might have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Civitelli
- From Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and
| | - Linnea Sandin
- From Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and
| | - Erin Nelson
- From Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and
| | | | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kågedal
- From Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and
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36
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Aguzzi A, Lakkaraju AKK. Cell Biology of Prions and Prionoids: A Status Report. Trends Cell Biol 2015; 26:40-51. [PMID: 26455408 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The coalescence of proteins into highly ordered aggregates is a hallmark of protein misfolding disorders (PMDs), which, when affecting the central nervous system, lead to progressive neurodegeneration. Although the chemical identity and the topology of each culprit protein are unique, the principles governing aggregation and propagation are strikingly stereotypical. It is now clear that such protein aggregates can spread from cell to cell and eventually affect entire organ systems - similarly to prion diseases. However, because most aggregates are not found to transmit between individuals, they are not infectious sensu strictiori. Therefore, they are not identical to prions and we prefer to define them as 'prionoids'. Here we review recent advances in understanding the toxicity of protein aggregation affecting the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zürich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Asvin K K Lakkaraju
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zürich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
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37
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Herrmann US, Schütz AK, Shirani H, Huang D, Saban D, Nuvolone M, Li B, Ballmer B, Åslund AKO, Mason JJ, Rushing E, Budka H, Nyström S, Hammarström P, Böckmann A, Caflisch A, Meier BH, Nilsson KPR, Hornemann S, Aguzzi A. Structure-based drug design identifies polythiophenes as antiprion compounds. Sci Transl Med 2015; 7:299ra123. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aab1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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38
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Rowinska-Zyrek M, Salerno M, Kozlowski H. Neurodegenerative diseases – Understanding their molecular bases and progress in the development of potential treatments. Coord Chem Rev 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2014.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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39
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Prion protein-specific antibodies-development, modes of action and therapeutics application. Viruses 2014; 6:3719-37. [PMID: 25275428 PMCID: PMC4213558 DOI: 10.3390/v6103719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are lethal neurodegenerative disorders involving the misfolding of the host encoded cellular prion protein, PrPC. This physiological form of the protein is expressed throughout the body, and it reaches the highest levels in the central nervous system where the pathology occurs. The conversion into the pathogenic isoform denoted as prion or PrPSc is the key event in prion disorders. Prominent candidates for the treatment of prion diseases are antibodies and their derivatives. Anti-PrPC antibodies are able to clear PrPSc from cell culture of infected cells. Furthermore, application of anti-PrPC antibodies suppresses prion replication in experimental animal models. Major drawbacks of immunotherapy are immune tolerance, the risks of neurotoxic side effects, limited ability of compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier and their unfavorable pharmacokinetic. The focus of this review is to recapitulate the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms for antibody mediated anti-prion activity. Although relevant for designing immunotherapeutic tools, the characterization of key antibody parameters shaping the molecular mechanism of the PrPC to PrPSc conversion remains elusive. Moreover, this review illustrates the various attempts towards the development of anti-PrP antibody compounds and discusses therapeutic candidates that modulate PrP expression.
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40
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Tavares E, Macedo JA, Paulo PM, Tavares C, Lopes C, Melo EP. Live-cell FRET imaging reveals clustering of the prion protein at the cell surface induced by infectious prions. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1842:981-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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41
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Krishnan R, Tsubery H, Proschitsky MY, Asp E, Lulu M, Gilead S, Gartner M, Waltho JP, Davis PJ, Hounslow AM, Kirschner DA, Inouye H, Myszka DG, Wright J, Solomon B, Fisher RA. A Bacteriophage Capsid Protein Provides a General Amyloid Interaction Motif (GAIM) That Binds and Remodels Misfolded Protein Assemblies. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:2500-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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42
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Ghosh D, Dutta P, Chakraborty C, Singh PK, Anoop A, Jha NN, Jacob RS, Mondal M, Mankar S, Das S, Malik S, Maji SK. Complexation of amyloid fibrils with charged conjugated polymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:3775-3786. [PMID: 24678792 DOI: 10.1021/la404739f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that conjugated charged polymers are amyloid imaging agents and promising therapeutic candidates for neurological disorders. However, very less is known about their efficacy in modulating the amyloid aggregation pathway. Here, we studied the modulation of Parkinson's disease associated α-synuclein (AS) amyloid assembly kinetics using conjugated polyfluorene polymers (PF, cationic; PFS, anionic). We also explored the complexation of these charged polymers with the various AS aggregated species including amyloid fibrils and oligomers using multidisciplinary biophysical techniques. Our data suggests that both polymers irrespective of their different charges in the side chains increase the fibrilization kinetics of AS and also remarkably change the morphology of the resultant amyloid fibrils. Both polymers were incorporated/aligned onto the AS amyloid fibrils as evident from electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the resultant complexes were structurally distinct from their pristine form of both polymers and AS supported by FTIR study. Additionally, we observed that the mechanism of interactions between the polymers with different species of AS aggregates were markedly different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiman Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , Mumbai, Maharashtra, Mumbai 400076, India
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Cieślar-Pobuda A, Bäck M, Magnusson K, Jain MV, Rafat M, Ghavami S, Nilsson KPR, Łos MJ. Cell type related differences in staining with pentameric thiophene derivatives. Cytometry A 2014; 85:628-35. [DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Artur Cieślar-Pobuda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE); Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
- Biosystems Group; Institute of Automatic Control; Silesian University of Technology; Gliwice Poland
| | - Marcus Bäck
- Department of Chemistry; IFM, Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Karin Magnusson
- Department of Chemistry; IFM, Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Mayur V. Jain
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE); Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Mehrdad Rafat
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE); Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science; Manitoba Institute of Child Health; Manitoba Canada
- Department of Physiology; St. Boniface Research Centre; University of Manitoba; Manitoba Canada
| | | | - Marek J. Łos
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE); Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
- Department of Pathology; Pomeranian Medical University; Szczecin Poland
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Hannaoui S, Gougerot A, Privat N, Levavasseur E, Bizat N, Hauw JJ, Brandel JP, Haïk S. Cycline efficacy on the propagation of human prions in primary cultured neurons is strain-specific. J Infect Dis 2013; 209:1144-8. [PMID: 24265435 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In prion diseases, a major issue in therapeutic research is the variability of the effect between strains. Stimulated by the report of an antiprion effect in a scrapie model and by ongoing international clinical trials using doxycycline, we studied the efficacy of cyclines against the propagation of human prions. First, we successfully propagated various Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) isolates (sporadic, variant, and iatrogenic CJD) in neuronal cultures expressing the human prion protein. Then, we found that doxycycline was the most effective compound, with important variations between isolates. Isolates from sporadic CJD, the most common form of prion disease, showed the highest sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Hannaoui
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (CRICM), UMRS 975, Equipe "Alzheimer's and Prion Diseases"
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Dwivedi AK, Iyer PK. Therapeutic Strategies to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis Using A Fluorescent Conjugated Polyelectrolyte. Macromol Biosci 2013; 14:508-14. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201300107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Atul K. Dwivedi
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; Guwahati 781 039 Assam India
| | - Parameswar K. Iyer
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; Guwahati 781 039 Assam India
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Abstract
Prion colonization of secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) is a critical step preceding neuroinvasion in prion pathogenesis. Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), which depend on both tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) signaling for maintenance, are thought to be the primary sites of prion accumulation in SLOs. However, prion titers in RML-infected TNFR1 (-/-) lymph nodes and rates of neuroinvasion in TNFR1 (-/-) mice remain high despite the absence of mature FDCs. Recently, we discovered that TNFR1-independent prion accumulation in lymph nodes relies on LTβR signaling. Loss of LTβR signaling in TNFR1 (-/-) lymph nodes coincided with the de-differentiation of high endothelial venules (HEVs)-the primary sites of lymphocyte entry into lymph nodes. These findings suggest that HEVs are the sites through which prions initially invade lymph nodes from the bloodstream. Identification of HEVs as entry portals for prions clarifies a number of previous observations concerning peripheral prion pathogenesis. However, a number of questions still remain: What is the mechanism by which prions are taken up by HEVs? Which cells are responsible for delivering prions to lymph nodes? Are HEVs the main entry site for prions into lymph nodes or do alternative routes also exist? These questions and others are considered in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy O'Connor
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Falsig J, Sonati T, Herrmann US, Saban D, Li B, Arroyo K, Ballmer B, Liberski PP, Aguzzi A. Prion pathogenesis is faithfully reproduced in cerebellar organotypic slice cultures. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002985. [PMID: 23133383 PMCID: PMC3486912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions cause neurodegeneration in vivo, yet prion-infected cultured cells do not show cytotoxicity. This has hampered mechanistic studies of prion-induced neurodegeneration. Here we report that prion-infected cultured organotypic cerebellar slices (COCS) experienced progressive spongiform neurodegeneration closely reproducing prion disease, with three different prion strains giving rise to three distinct patterns of prion protein deposition. Neurodegeneration did not occur when PrP was genetically removed from neurons, and a comprehensive pharmacological screen indicated that neurodegeneration was abrogated by compounds known to antagonize prion replication. Prion infection of COCS and mice led to enhanced fodrin cleavage, suggesting the involvement of calpains or caspases in pathogenesis. Accordingly, neurotoxicity and fodrin cleavage were prevented by calpain inhibitors but not by caspase inhibitors, whereas prion replication proceeded unimpeded. Hence calpain inhibition can uncouple prion replication from its neurotoxic sequelae. These data validate COCS as a powerful model system that faithfully reproduces most morphological hallmarks of prion infections. The exquisite accessibility of COCS to pharmacological manipulations was instrumental in recognizing the role of calpains in neurotoxicity, and significantly extends the collection of tools necessary for rigorously dissecting prion pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeppe Falsig
- Institute of Neuropathology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Dino Saban
- Institute of Neuropathology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bei Li
- Institute of Neuropathology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Pawel P. Liberski
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy and Neuropathology, Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Role of prion protein aggregation in neurotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:8648-8669. [PMID: 22942726 PMCID: PMC3430257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13078648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, Huntington, and prion diseases, the deposition of aggregated misfolded proteins is believed to be responsible for the neurotoxicity that characterizes these diseases. Prion protein (PrP), the protein responsible of prion diseases, has been deeply studied for the peculiar feature of its misfolded oligomers that are able to propagate within affected brains, inducing the conversion of the natively folded PrP into the pathological conformation. In this review, we summarize the available experimental evidence concerning the relationship between aggregation status of misfolded PrP and neuronal death in the course of prion diseases. In particular, we describe the main findings resulting from the use of different synthetic (mainly PrP106-126) and recombinant PrP-derived peptides, as far as mechanisms of aggregation and amyloid formation, and how these different spatial conformations can affect neuronal death. In particular, most data support the involvement of non-fibrillar oligomers rather than actual amyloid fibers as the determinant of neuronal death.
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Nyström S, Mishra R, Hornemann S, Aguzzi A, Nilsson KPR, Hammarström P. Multiple substitutions of methionine 129 in human prion protein reveal its importance in the amyloid fibrillation pathway. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:25975-84. [PMID: 22669942 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.372136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the polymorphism Met or Val in position 129 in the human prion protein is well documented regarding disease susceptibility and clinical manifestations. However, little is known about the molecular background to this phenomenon. We investigated herein the conformational stability, amyloid fibrillation kinetics, and seeding propensity of different 129 mutants, located in β-strand 1 of PrP (Met(129) (WT), M129A, M129V, M129L, M129W, M129P, M129E, M129K, and M129C) in HuPrP(90-231). The mutations M129V, M129L, M129K, and M129C did not affect stability (midpoints of thermal denaturation, T(m) = 65-66 °C), whereas the mutants M129A and M129E and the largest side chain M129W were destabilized by 3-4 °C. The most destabilizing substitution was M129P, which lowered the T(m) by 7.2 °C. All mutants, except for M129C, formed amyloid-like fibrils within hours during fibril formation under near physiological conditions. Fibril-forming mutants showed a sigmoidal kinetic profile and showed shorter lag times during seeding with preformed amyloid fibrils implicating a nucleated polymerization reaction. In the spontaneous reactions, the lag time of fibril formation was rather uniform for the mutants M129A, M129V, and M129L resembling the wild type. When the substituted amino acid had a distinct feature discriminating it from the wild type, such as size (M129W), charge (M129E, M129K), or rotational constraint (M129P), the fibrillation was impeded. M129C did not form ThT/Congo red-positive fibrils, and non-reducing SDS-PAGE of M129C during fibrillation conditions at different time points revealed covalent dimer formation already 15 min after fibrillation reaction initiation. Position 129 appears to be a key site for dictating PrP receptiveness toward recruitment into the amyloid state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Nyström
- IFM-Department of Chemistry, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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