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Tsekrekou M, Giannakou M, Papanikolopoulou K, Skretas G. Protein aggregation and therapeutic strategies in SOD1- and TDP-43- linked ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1383453. [PMID: 38855322 PMCID: PMC11157337 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1383453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with severe socio-economic impact. A hallmark of ALS pathology is the presence of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions composed of misfolded and aggregated proteins, including both wild-type and mutant forms. This review highlights the critical role of misfolded protein species in ALS pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these misfolded proteins directly. Despite significant advancements in understanding ALS mechanisms, the disease remains incurable, with current treatments offering limited clinical benefits. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review focuses on the direct modulation of the misfolded proteins and presents recent discoveries in small molecules and peptides that inhibit SOD1 and TDP-43 aggregation, underscoring their potential as effective treatments to modify disease progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsekrekou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Giannakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
- Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
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2
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Tzavellas NP, Tsamis KI, Katsenos AP, Davri AS, Simos YV, Nikas IP, Bellos S, Lekkas P, Kanellos FS, Konitsiotis S, Labrakakis C, Vezyraki P, Peschos D. Firing Alterations of Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease: Are They Merely a Consequence of Pathogenesis or a Pivotal Component of Disease Progression? Cells 2024; 13:434. [PMID: 38474398 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, yet its underlying causes remain elusive. The conventional perspective on disease pathogenesis attributes alterations in neuronal excitability to molecular changes resulting in synaptic dysfunction. Early hyperexcitability is succeeded by a progressive cessation of electrical activity in neurons, with amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers and tau protein hyperphosphorylation identified as the initial events leading to hyperactivity. In addition to these key proteins, voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels play a decisive role in the altered electrical properties of neurons in AD. Impaired synaptic function and reduced neuronal plasticity contribute to a vicious cycle, resulting in a reduction in the number of synapses and synaptic proteins, impacting their transportation inside the neuron. An understanding of these neurophysiological alterations, combined with abnormalities in the morphology of brain cells, emerges as a crucial avenue for new treatment investigations. This review aims to delve into the detailed exploration of electrical neuronal alterations observed in different AD models affecting single neurons and neuronal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos P Tzavellas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos I Tsamis
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Ioannina, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Andreas P Katsenos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athena S Davri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Yannis V Simos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ilias P Nikas
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, 2029 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Stefanos Bellos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Lekkas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Foivos S Kanellos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Spyridon Konitsiotis
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Ioannina, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Charalampos Labrakakis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Patra Vezyraki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Peschos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
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3
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Taha HB, Chawla E, Bitan G. IM-MS and ECD-MS/MS Provide Insight into Modulation of Amyloid Proteins Self-Assembly by Peptides and Small Molecules. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:2066-2086. [PMID: 37607351 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative proteinopathies are characterized by formation and deposition of misfolded, aggregated proteins in the nervous system leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. It is widely believed that metastable oligomers of the offending proteins, preceding the fibrillar aggregates found in the tissue, are the proximal neurotoxins. There are currently almost no disease-modifying therapies for these diseases despite an active pipeline of preclinical development and clinical trials for over two decades, largely because studying the metastable oligomers and their interaction with potential therapeutics is notoriously difficult. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical tool for structural investigation of proteins, including protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Specific MS tools have been useful in determining the composition and conformation of abnormal protein oligomers involved in proteinopathies and the way they interact with drug candidates. Here, we analyze critically the utilization of ion-mobility spectroscopy-MS (IM-MS) and electron-capture dissociation (ECD) MS/MS for analyzing the oligomerization and conformation of multiple amyloidogenic proteins. We also discuss IM-MS investigation of their interaction with two classes of compounds developed by our group over the last two decades: C-terminal fragments derived from the 42-residue form of amyloid β-protein (Aβ42) and molecular tweezers. Finally, we review the utilization of ECD-MS/MS for elucidating the binding sites of the ligands on multiple proteins. These approaches are readily applicable to future studies addressing similar questions and hold promise for facilitating the development of successful disease-modifying drugs against neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hash Brown Taha
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Esha Chawla
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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4
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Shahpasand-Kroner H, Siddique I, Malik R, Linares GR, Ivanova MI, Ichida J, Weil T, Münch J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Molecular Tweezers: Supramolecular Hosts with Broad-Spectrum Biological Applications. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:263-308. [PMID: 36549866 PMCID: PMC9976797 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-selective molecular tweezers (MTs) are supramolecular host molecules displaying a remarkably broad spectrum of biologic activities. MTs act as inhibitors of the self-assembly and toxicity of amyloidogenic proteins using a unique mechanism. They destroy viral membranes and inhibit infection by enveloped viruses, such as HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, by mechanisms unrelated to their action on protein self-assembly. They also disrupt biofilm of Gram-positive bacteria. The efficacy and safety of MTs have been demonstrated in vitro, in cell culture, and in vivo, suggesting that these versatile compounds are attractive therapeutic candidates for various diseases, infections, and injuries. A lead compound called CLR01 has been shown to inhibit the aggregation of various amyloidogenic proteins, facilitate their clearance in vivo, prevent infection by multiple viruses, display potent anti-biofilm activity, and have a high safety margin in animal models. The inhibitory effect of CLR01 against amyloidogenic proteins is highly specific to abnormal self-assembly of amyloidogenic proteins with no disruption of normal mammalian biologic processes at the doses needed for inhibition. Therapeutic effects of CLR01 have been demonstrated in animal models of proteinopathies, lysosomal-storage diseases, and spinal-cord injury. Here we review the activity and mechanisms of action of these intriguing compounds and discuss future research directions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Molecular tweezers are supramolecular host molecules with broad biological applications, including inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation, facilitation of lysosomal clearance of toxic aggregates, disruption of viral membranes, and interference of biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria. This review discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of the molecular tweezers, including the discovery of distinct mechanisms acting in vitro and in vivo, and the application of these compounds in multiple preclinical disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Shahpasand-Kroner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ravinder Malik
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gabriel R Linares
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Magdalena I Ivanova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Justin Ichida
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank-Gerrit Klärner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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5
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Hutchison MT, Bellomo G, Cherepanov A, Stirnal E, Fürtig B, Richter C, Linhard V, Gurewitsch E, Lelli M, Morgner N, Schrader T, Schwalbe H. Modulation of Aβ42 Aggregation Kinetics and Pathway by Low-Molecular-Weight Inhibitors. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200760. [PMID: 36652672 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) is directly related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have investigated the early stages of the aggregation process, during which most of the cytotoxic species are formed. Aβ42 aggregation kinetics, characterized by the quantification of Aβ42 monomer consumption, were tracked by real-time solution NMR spectroscopy (RT-NMR) allowing the impact that low-molecular-weight (LMW) inhibitors and modulators exert on the aggregation process to be analysed. Distinct differences in the Aβ42 kinetic profiles were apparent and were further investigated kinetically and structurally by using thioflavin T (ThT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. LMW inhibitors were shown to have a differential impact on early-state aggregation. Insight provided here could direct future therapeutic design based on kinetic profiling of the process of fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Theres Hutchison
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurochemistry Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alexey Cherepanov
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Elke Stirnal
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Boris Fürtig
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Christian Richter
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Verena Linhard
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Elina Gurewitsch
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Moreno Lelli
- Chemistry Department, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM/CIRMMP), University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Nina Morgner
- Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 7, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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6
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Quantum-dot-labeled synuclein seed assay identifies drugs modulating the experimental prion-like transmission. Commun Biol 2022; 5:636. [PMID: 35768587 PMCID: PMC9243017 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) that involve deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. The inoculation of α-syn aggregates derived from synucleinopathy or preformed fibrils (PFF) formed in vitro induces misfolding and deposition of endogenous α-syn. This is referred to as prion-like transmission, and the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we label α-syn PFF with quantum dots and visualize their movement directly in acute slices of brain tissue inoculated with α-syn PFF seeds. Using this system, we find that the trafficking of α-syn seeds is dependent on fast axonal transport and the seed spreading is dependent on endocytosis and neuronal activity. We also observe pharmacological effects on α-syn seed spreading; clinically available drugs including riluzole are effective in reducing the spread of α-syn seeds and this effect is also observed in vivo. Our quantum-dot-labeled α-syn seed assay system combined with in vivo transmission experiment reveals an early phase of transmission, in which uptake and spreading of seeds occur depending on neuronal activity, and a later phase, in which seeds induce the propagation of endogenous misfolded α-syn.
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7
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Shahpasand‐Kroner H, Portillo J, Lantz C, Seidler PM, Sarafian N, Loo JA, Bitan G. Three-repeat and four-repeat tau isoforms form different oligomers. Protein Sci 2022; 31:613-627. [PMID: 34902187 PMCID: PMC8862439 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Different tauopathies are characterized by the isoform-specific composition of the aggregates found in the brain and by structurally distinct tau strains. Although tau oligomers have been implicated as important neurotoxic species, little is known about how the primary structures of the six human tau isoforms affect tau oligomerization because the oligomers are metastable and difficult to analyze. To address this knowledge gap, here, we analyzed the initial oligomers formed by the six tau isoforms in the absence of posttranslational modifications or other manipulations using dot blots probed by an oligomer-specific antibody, native-PAGE/western blots, photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins, mass-spectrometry, and ion-mobility spectroscopy. We found that under these conditions, three-repeat (3R) isoforms are more prone than four-repeat (4R) isoforms to form oligomers. We also tested whether known inhibitors of tau aggregation affect its oligomerization using three small molecules representing different classes of tau aggregation inhibitors, Methylene Blue (MB), the molecular tweezer CLR01, and the all-D peptide TLKIVW, for their ability to inhibit or modulate the oligomerization of the six tau isoforms. Unlike their reported inhibitory effect on tau fibrillation, the inhibitors had little or no effect on the initial oligomerization. Our study provides novel insight into the primary-quaternary structure relationship of human tau and suggests that 3R-tau oligomers may be an important target for future development of compounds targeting pathological tau assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Shahpasand‐Kroner
- Department of NeurologyDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer Portillo
- Department of NeurologyDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Carter Lantz
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paul M. Seidler
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Southern California School of PharmacyLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Natalie Sarafian
- Department of NeurologyDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joseph A. Loo
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of NeurologyDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Molecular Biology InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Brain Research InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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8
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Li Y, Xia Y, Yin S, Wan F, Hu J, Kou L, Sun Y, Wu J, Zhou Q, Huang J, Xiong N, Wang T. Targeting Microglial α-Synuclein/TLRs/NF-kappaB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Axis in Parkinson's Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719807. [PMID: 34691027 PMCID: PMC8531525 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
According to emerging studies, the excessive activation of microglia and the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the exact mechanisms governing chronic neuroinflammation remain elusive. Findings demonstrate an elevated level of NLRP3 inflammasome in activated microglia in the substantia nigra of PD patients. Activated NLRP3 inflammasome aggravates the pathology and accelerates the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Abnormal protein aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn), a pathologically relevant protein of PD, were reported to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome of microglia through interaction with toll-like receptors (TLRs). This eventually releases pro-inflammatory cytokines through the translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and causes an impairment of mitochondria, thus damaging the dopaminergic neurons. Currently, therapeutic drugs for PD are primarily aimed at providing relief from its clinical symptoms, and there are no well-established strategies to halt or reverse this disease. In this review, we aimed to update existing knowledge on the role of the α-syn/TLRs/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis and microglial activation in PD. In addition, this review summarizes recent progress on the α-syn/TLRs/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis of microglia as a potential target for PD treatment by inhibiting microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunna Li
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sijia Yin
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Wan
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Kou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yadi Sun
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiawei Wu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiulu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinsha Huang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nian Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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9
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Li Z, Siddique I, Hadrović I, Kirupakaran A, Li J, Zhang Y, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Lysine-selective molecular tweezers are cell penetrant and concentrate in lysosomes. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1076. [PMID: 34521989 PMCID: PMC8440717 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02603-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-selective molecular tweezers are promising drug candidates against proteinopathies, viral infection, and bacterial biofilm. Despite demonstration of their efficacy in multiple cellular and animal models, important questions regarding their mechanism of action, including cell penetrance and intracellular distribution, have not been answered to date. The main impediment to answering these questions has been the low intrinsic fluorescence of the main compound tested to date, called CLR01. Here, we address these questions using new fluorescently labeled molecular tweezers derivatives. We show that these compounds are internalized in neurons and astrocytes, at least partially through dynamin-dependent endocytosis. In addition, we demonstrate that the molecular tweezers concentrate rapidly in acidic compartments, primarily lysosomes. Accumulation of molecular tweezers in lysosomes may occur both through the endosomal-lysosomal pathway and via the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Moreover, by visualizing colocalization of molecular tweezers, lysosomes, and tau aggregates we show that lysosomes likely are the main site for the intracellular anti-amyloid activity of molecular tweezers. These findings have important implications for the mechanism of action of molecular tweezers in vivo, explaining how administration of low doses of the compounds achieves high effective concentrations where they are needed, and supporting the development of these compounds as drugs for currently cureless proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizheng Li
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Inesa Hadrović
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Abbna Kirupakaran
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jiwen Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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10
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Brenner S, Braun B, Read C, Weil T, Walther P, Schrader T, Münch J, von Einem J. The Molecular Tweezer CLR01 Inhibits Antibody-Resistant Cell-to-Cell Spread of Human Cytomegalovirus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091685. [PMID: 34578265 PMCID: PMC8472163 DOI: 10.3390/v13091685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) uses two major ways for virus dissemination: infection by cell-free virus and direct cell-to-cell spread. Neutralizing antibodies can efficiently inhibit infection by cell-free virus but mostly fail to prevent cell-to-cell transmission. Here, we show that the ‘molecular tweezer’ CLR01, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, is not only highly active against infection with cell-free virus but most remarkably inhibits antibody-resistant direct cell-to-cell spread of HCMV. The inhibition of cell-to-cell spread by CLR01 was not limited to HCMV but was also shown for the alphaherpesviruses herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1, -2). CLR01 is a rapid acting small molecule that inhibits HCMV entry at the attachment and penetration steps. Electron microscopy of extracellular virus particles indicated damage of the viral envelope by CLR01, which likely impairs the infectivity of virus particles. The rapid inactivation of viral particles by CLR01, the viral envelope as the main target, and the inhibition of virus entry at different stages are presumably the key to inhibition of cell-free virus infection and cell-to-cell spread by CLR01. Importance: While cell-free spread enables the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and other herpesviruses to transmit between hosts, direct cell-to-cell spread is thought to be more relevant for in vivo dissemination within infected tissues. Cell-to-cell spread is resistant to neutralizing antibodies, thus contributing to the maintenance of virus infection and virus dissemination in the presence of an intact immune system. Therefore, it would be therapeutically interesting to target this mode of spread in order to treat severe HCMV infections and to prevent dissemination of virus within the infected host. The molecular tweezer CLR01 exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a number of enveloped viruses and efficiently blocks antibody-resistant cell-to-cell spread of HCMV, thus representing a novel class of small molecules with promising antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Brenner
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.B.); (B.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Berenike Braun
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.B.); (B.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Clarissa Read
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.B.); (B.B.); (C.R.)
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (T.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany;
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (T.W.); (J.M.)
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jens von Einem
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.B.); (B.B.); (C.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)731-500-65104; Fax: +49-(0)731-500-65102
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11
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Di J, Siddique I, Li Z, Malki G, Hornung S, Dutta S, Hurst I, Ishaaya E, Wang A, Tu S, Boghos A, Ericsson I, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. The molecular tweezer CLR01 improves behavioral deficits and reduces tau pathology in P301S-tau transgenic mice. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:6. [PMID: 33397489 PMCID: PMC7784007 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-020-00743-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular tweezers (MTs) are broad-spectrum inhibitors of abnormal protein aggregation. A lead MT, called CLR01, has been demonstrated to inhibit the aggregation and toxicity of multiple amyloidogenic proteins in vitro and in vivo. Previously, we evaluated the effect of CLR01 in the 3 × Tg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, which overexpresses mutant human presenilin 1, amyloid β-protein precursor, and tau and found that subcutaneous administration of the compound for 1 month led to a robust reduction of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and microgliosis. CLR01 also has been demonstrated to inhibit tau aggregation in vitro and tau seeding in cell culture, yet because in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in the 3 × Tg model, tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation are thought to be downstream of Aβ insults, the study in this model left open the question whether CLR01 affected tau in vivo directly or indirectly. METHODS To determine if CLR01 could ameliorate tau pathology directly in vivo, we tested the compound similarly using the P301S-tau (line PS19) mouse model. Mice were administered 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg per day CLR01 and tested for muscle strength and behavioral deficits, including anxiety- and disinhibition-like behavior. Their brains then were analyzed by immunohistochemical and biochemical assays for pathological forms of tau, neurodegeneration, and glial pathology. RESULTS CLR01 treatment ameliorated muscle-strength deterioration, anxiety-, and disinhibition-like behavior. Improved phenotype was associated with decreased levels of pathologic tau forms, suggesting that CLR01 exerts a direct effect on tau in vivo. Limitations of the study included a relatively short treatment period of the mice at an age in which full pathology is not yet developed. In addition, high variability in this model lowered the statistical significance of the findings of some outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that CLR01 is a particularly attractive candidate for the treatment of AD because it targets simultaneously the two major pathogenic proteins instigating and propagating the disease, amyloid β-protein (Aβ), and tau, respectively. In addition, our study suggests that CLR01 can be used for the treatment of other tauopathies in the absence of amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Di
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Zizheng Li
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ghattas Malki
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Simon Hornung
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA.,Present Address: Division of Peptide Biochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Suman Dutta
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ian Hurst
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ella Ishaaya
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Austin Wang
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Sally Tu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ani Boghos
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | - Ida Ericsson
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Room 451, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7334, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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12
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Dominguez-Meijide A, Vasili E, Outeiro TF. Pharmacological Modulators of Tau Aggregation and Spreading. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E858. [PMID: 33203009 PMCID: PMC7696562 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deposition of aggregates composed of abnormal tau protein in the brain. Additionally, misfolded forms of tau can propagate from cell to cell and throughout the brain. This process is thought to lead to the templated misfolding of the native forms of tau, and thereby, to the formation of newer toxic aggregates, thereby propagating the disease. Therefore, modulation of the processes that lead to tau aggregation and spreading is of utmost importance in the fight against tauopathies. In recent years, several molecules have been developed for the modulation of tau aggregation and spreading. In this review, we discuss the processes of tau aggregation and spreading and highlight selected chemicals developed for the modulation of these processes, their usefulness, and putative mechanisms of action. Ultimately, a stronger understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, and the properties of the substances developed to modulate them, will lead to the development of safer and better strategies for the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Dominguez-Meijide
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Dept. of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, IDIS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eftychia Vasili
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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13
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Gloaguen E, Mons M, Schwing K, Gerhards M. Neutral Peptides in the Gas Phase: Conformation and Aggregation Issues. Chem Rev 2020; 120:12490-12562. [PMID: 33152238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combined IR and UV laser spectroscopic techniques in molecular beams merged with theoretical approaches have proven to be an ideal tool to elucidate intrinsic structural properties on a molecular level. It offers the possibility to analyze structural changes, in a controlled molecular environment, when successively adding aggregation partners. By this, it further makes these techniques a valuable starting point for a bottom-up approach in understanding the forces shaping larger molecular systems. This bottom-up approach was successfully applied to neutral amino acids starting around the 1990s. Ever since, experimental and theoretical methods developed further, and investigations could be extended to larger peptide systems. Against this background, the review gives an introduction to secondary structures and experimental methods as well as a summary on theoretical approaches. Vibrational frequencies being characteristic probes of molecular structure and interactions are especially addressed. Archetypal biologically relevant secondary structures investigated by molecular beam spectroscopy are described, and the influences of specific peptide residues on conformational preferences as well as the competition between secondary structures are discussed. Important influences like microsolvation or aggregation behavior are presented. Beyond the linear α-peptides, the main results of structural analysis on cyclic systems as well as on β- and γ-peptides are summarized. Overall, this contribution addresses current aspects of molecular beam spectroscopy on peptides and related species and provides molecular level insights into manifold issues of chemical and biochemical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Gloaguen
- CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Bât 522, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel Mons
- CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Bât 522, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Kirsten Schwing
- TU Kaiserslautern & Research Center Optimas, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 52, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Markus Gerhards
- TU Kaiserslautern & Research Center Optimas, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 52, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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14
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Bayer P, Matena A, Beuck C. NMR Spectroscopy of supramolecular chemistry on protein surfaces. Beilstein J Org Chem 2020; 16:2505-2522. [PMID: 33093929 PMCID: PMC7554676 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.16.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the few analytical methods that offer atomic resolution, NMR spectroscopy is a valuable tool to study the interaction of proteins with their interaction partners, both biomolecules and synthetic ligands. In recent years, the focus in chemistry has kept expanding from targeting small binding pockets in proteins to recognizing patches on protein surfaces, mostly via supramolecular chemistry, with the goal to modulate protein–protein interactions. Here we present NMR methods that have been applied to characterize these molecular interactions and discuss the challenges of this endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bayer
- Structural and Medicinal Biochemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 1-5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Matena
- Structural and Medicinal Biochemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 1-5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Christine Beuck
- Structural and Medicinal Biochemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 1-5, 45141 Essen, Germany
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15
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Weil T, Groß R, Röcker A, Bravo-Rodriguez K, Heid C, Sowislok A, Le MH, Erwin N, Dwivedi M, Bart SM, Bates P, Wettstein L, Müller JA, Harms M, Sparrer K, Ruiz-Blanco YB, Stürzel CM, von Einem J, Lippold S, Read C, Walther P, Hebel M, Kreppel F, Klärner FG, Bitan G, Ehrmann M, Weil T, Winter R, Schrader T, Shorter J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Münch J. Supramolecular Mechanism of Viral Envelope Disruption by Molecular Tweezers. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:17024-17038. [PMID: 32926779 PMCID: PMC7523239 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c06400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Broad-spectrum
antivirals are powerful weapons against dangerous
viruses where no specific therapy exists, as in the case of the ongoing
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We discovered that a lysine- and arginine-specific
supramolecular ligand (CLR01) destroys enveloped viruses, including
HIV, Ebola, and Zika virus, and remodels amyloid fibrils in semen
that promote viral infection. Yet, it is unknown how CLR01 exerts
these two distinct therapeutic activities. Here, we delineate a novel
mechanism of antiviral activity by studying the activity of tweezer
variants: the “phosphate tweezer” CLR01, a “carboxylate
tweezer” CLR05, and a “phosphate clip” PC. Lysine
complexation inside the tweezer cavity is needed to antagonize amyloidogenesis
and is only achieved by CLR01. Importantly, CLR01 and CLR05 but not
PC form closed inclusion complexes with lipid head groups of viral
membranes, thereby altering lipid orientation and increasing surface
tension. This process disrupts viral envelopes and diminishes infectivity
but leaves cellular membranes intact. Consequently, CLR01 and CLR05
display broad antiviral activity against all enveloped viruses tested,
including herpesviruses, Measles virus, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.
Based on our mechanistic insights, we potentiated the antiviral, membrane-disrupting
activity of CLR01 by introducing aliphatic ester arms into each phosphate
group to act as lipid anchors that promote membrane targeting. The
most potent ester modifications harbored unbranched C4 units, which
engendered tweezers that were approximately one order of magnitude
more effective than CLR01 and nontoxic. Thus, we establish the mechanistic
basis of viral envelope disruption by specific tweezers and establish
a new class of potential broad-spectrum antivirals with enhanced activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Weil
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Annika Röcker
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kenny Bravo-Rodriguez
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Heid
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Sowislok
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - My-Hue Le
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Nelli Erwin
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mridula Dwivedi
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephen M Bart
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Paul Bates
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Janis A Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Konstantin Sparrer
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Yasser B Ruiz-Blanco
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Christina M Stürzel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jens von Einem
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sina Lippold
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Clarissa Read
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany.,Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco Hebel
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research, University of Witten/Herdecke, Stockumer Strasse 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | | | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Michael Ehrmann
- Microbiology II, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Roland Winter
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - James Shorter
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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16
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CLR01 protects dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in mouse models of Parkinson's disease. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4885. [PMID: 32985503 PMCID: PMC7522721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18689-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects millions of patients worldwide and is characterized by alpha-synuclein aggregation in dopamine neurons. Molecular tweezers have shown high potential as anti-aggregation agents targeting positively charged residues of proteins undergoing amyloidogenic processes. Here we report that the molecular tweezer CLR01 decreased aggregation and toxicity in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic cultures treated with PD brain protein extracts. In microfluidic devices CLR01 reduced alpha-synuclein aggregation in cell somas when axonal terminals were exposed to alpha-synuclein oligomers. We then tested CLR01 in vivo in a humanized alpha-synuclein overexpressing mouse model; mice treated at 12 months of age when motor defects are mild exhibited an improvement in motor defects and a decreased oligomeric alpha-synuclein burden. Finally, CLR01 reduced alpha-synuclein-associated pathology in mice injected with alpha-synuclein aggregates into the striatum or substantia nigra. Taken together, these results highlight CLR01 as a disease-modifying therapy for PD and support further clinical investigation. CLR01 is a molecular tweezer that inhibits protein aggregation. Here the authors show that CLR01 protects dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo in human neurons and in mouse models showing potential as a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
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17
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Ripoli C, Spinelli M, Natale F, Fusco S, Grassi C. Glucose Overload Inhibits Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission: A Novel Role for CREB-Mediated Regulation of Synaptotagmins 2 and 4. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:810. [PMID: 32974347 PMCID: PMC7466440 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose metabolism derangement is critically involved in the age-related memory loss but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In a mouse model of type 1 diabetes we found memory impairment associated with inhibition of the transcription factor CREB and alteration of pre- and post-synaptic protein expression in the hippocampus. Accordingly, glucose excess negatively affected activity-dependent CREB phosphorylation and CREB-mediated mRNA expression of synaptic proteins in hippocampal primary neurons. Specifically, glucose excess inhibited the activity-dependent recruitment of CREB on the regulatory sequences of synaptotagmin (SYT) 2 and 4 promoters and the expression of SYT4 protein. As a result, high glucose affected both the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and NMDA receptor-mediated currents in autaptic hippocampal neuronal cultures. Collectively, our findings highlight novel mechanisms underlying hyperglycaemia-related memory loss, including CREB-dependent downregulation of synaptotagmin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ripoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Spinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Natale
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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18
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Mason AJ, Hurst I, Malik R, Siddique I, Solomonov I, Sagi I, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Different Inhibitors of Aβ42-Induced Toxicity Have Distinct Metal-Ion Dependency. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2243-2255. [PMID: 32559370 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligomers of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) are thought to be the proximal toxic agents initiating the neuropathologic process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, targeting the self-assembly and oligomerization of Aβ has been an important strategy for designing AD therapeutics. In parallel, research into the metallobiology of AD has shown that Zn2+ can strongly modulate the aggregation of Aβ in vitro and both promote and inhibit the neurotoxicity of Aβ, depending on the experimental conditions. Thus, successful inhibitors of Aβ self-assembly may have to inhibit the toxicity not only of Aβ oligomers themselves but also of Aβ-Zn2+ complexes. However, there has been relatively little research investigating the effects of Aβ self-assembly and toxicity inhibitors in the presence of Zn2+. Our group has characterized previously a series of Aβ42 C-terminal fragments (CTFs), some of which have been shown to inhibit Aβ oligomerization and neurotoxicity. Here, we asked whether three CTFs shown to be potent inhibitors of Aβ42 toxicity maintained their activity in the presence of Zn2+. Biophysical analysis showed that the CTFs had different effects on oligomer, β-sheet, and fibril formation by Aβ42-Zn2+ complexes. However, cell viability experiments in differentiated PC-12 cells incubated with Aβ42-Zn2+ complexes in the absence or presence of these CTFs showed that the CTFs completely lost their inhibitory activity in the presence of Zn2+ even when applied at 10-fold excess relative to Aβ42. In light of these results, we tested another inhibitor, the molecular tweezer CLR01, which coincidentally had been shown to have a high affinity for Zn2+, suggesting that it could disrupt both Aβ42 oligomerization and Aβ42-Zn2+ complexation. Indeed, we found that CLR01 effectively inhibited the toxicity of Aβ42-Zn2+ complexes. Moreover, it did so at a lower concentration than needed for inhibiting the toxicity of Aβ42 alone. In agreement with these results, CLR01 inhibited β-sheet and fibril formation in Aβ42-Zn2+ complexes. Our data suggest that, for the development of efficient therapeutic agents, inhibitors of Aβ self-assembly and toxicity should be examined in the presence of relevant metal ions and that molecular tweezers may be particularly attractive candidates for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley J. Mason
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ian Hurst
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ravinder Malik
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Inna Solomonov
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Irit Sagi
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Frank-Gerrit Klärner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45117, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45117, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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19
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Bhattarai A, Emerson IA. Computational investigations on the dynamic binding effect of molecular tweezer CLR01 toward intrinsically disordered HIV-1 Nef. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2020; 68:513-530. [PMID: 32447788 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are highly flexible molecules that undergo disorder to order transition through their interaction with other molecules. IDPs play a vital role in several biological processes ranging from molecular recognition to several human diseases through the protein-protein interaction. The dynamic flexibility of IDPs and their implications in several human diseases enable these molecules to serve as novel therapeutic targets. However, the challenging task is to develop novel drugs against IDPs because of their lack of stable structures and the nature of high conformational flexibility. In this study, we have calculated the dynamic binding effect of the supramolecular tweezer CLR01 against the intrinsically disordered HIV-1 Nef by employing molecular docking and dynamics simulation approaches. From docking results, we predicted the strong binding affinity of the tweezer with the target residues of Nef. The docking results were further validated from the molecular dynamics simulation studies confirming the conformational stability of Nef upon tweezer binding. These findings provide useful insights into the development of potent inhibitors for targeting Nef protein functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Bhattarai
- Bioinformatics Programming Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Isaac Arnold Emerson
- Bioinformatics Programming Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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20
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The Amyloid Inhibitor CLR01 Relieves Autophagy and Ameliorates Neuropathology in a Severe Lysosomal Storage Disease. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1167-1176. [PMID: 32087148 PMCID: PMC7132627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are inherited disorders caused by lysosomal deficiencies and characterized by dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) often associated with neurodegeneration. No cure is currently available to treat neuropathology in LSDs. By studying a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIA, one of the most common and severe forms of LSDs, we found that multiple amyloid proteins including α-synuclein, prion protein (PrP), Tau, and amyloid β progressively aggregate in the brain. The amyloid deposits mostly build up in neuronal cell bodies concomitantly with neurodegeneration. Treating MPS-IIIA mice with CLR01, a “molecular tweezer” that acts as a broad-spectrum inhibitor of amyloid protein self-assembly reduced lysosomal enlargement and re-activates autophagy flux. Restoration of the ALP was associated with reduced neuroinflammation and amelioration of memory deficits. Together, these data provide evidence that brain deposition of amyloid proteins plays a gain of neurotoxic function in a severe LSD by affecting the ALP and identify CLR01 as new potent drug candidate for MPS-IIIA and likely for other LSDs.
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21
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Pujols J, Peña-Díaz S, Pallarès I, Ventura S. Chemical Chaperones as Novel Drugs for Parkinson's Disease. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:408-421. [PMID: 32277934 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of deposits of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. The pivotal role of α-syn aggregation in PD makes it an attractive target for potential disease-modifying therapies. However, the disordered nature of the protein, its multistep aggregation mechanism, and the lack of structural information on intermediate species complicate the discovery of modulators of α-syn amyloid deposition. Despite these difficulties, small molecules have been shown to block the misfolding and aggregation of α-syn, and can even disentangle mature α-syn amyloid fibrils. In this review we provide an updated overview of these leading small compounds and discuss how these chemical chaperones hold great promise to alter the course of PD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Pujols
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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22
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Li H, Zheng X, Jia Z, Wang X. Theoretical study on noncovalent interaction of molecular tweezers by Zn(II) salphen-azo-crown ether triads receptor. J Mol Model 2020; 26:39. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-4301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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23
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Fattorini G, Ripoli C, Cocco S, Spinelli M, Mattera A, Grassi C, Conti F. Glutamate/GABA co-release selectively influences postsynaptic glutamate receptors in mouse cortical neurons. Neuropharmacology 2019; 161:107737. [PMID: 31398382 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cultured rat cortical neurons co-expressing VGLUT1 and VGAT (mixed synapses) co-release Glu and GABA. Here, mixed synapses were studied in cultured mouse cortical neurons to verify whether in mice mixed synapses co-release Glu and GABA, and to gain insight into how they may influence excitation/inhibition balance. Results showed the existence of synapses and autapses that co-release Glu and GABA in cultured mouse cortical neurons, and the ability of both neurotransmitters to evoke postsynaptic responses mediated by ionotropic receptors. We studied the short-term plasticity of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and mixed responses and we found that the kinetics of mixPSC amplitude depression was similar to that observed in EPSCs, but it was different from that of IPSCs. We found similar presynaptic release characteristics in glutamatergic and mixed synapses. Analysis of postsynaptic features, obtained by measuring AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated currents, showed that AMPAR-mediated currents were significantly higher in pure glutamatergic than in mixed synapses, whereas NMDAR-mediated currents were not significantly different from those measured in mixed synapses. Overall, our findings demonstrate that glutamatergic and mixed synapses share similar electrophysiological properties. However, co-release of GABA and Glu influences postsynaptic ionotropic glutamatergic receptor subtypes, thus selectively influencing AMPAR-mediated currents. These findings strengthen the view that mixed neurons can play a key role in CNS development and in maintaining the excitation-inhibition balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Fattorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60026, Ancona, Italy; Center for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA, IRCCS, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Cristian Ripoli
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Spinelli
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Mattera
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60026, Ancona, Italy; Center for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA, IRCCS, Ancona, Italy
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24
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Herrera-Vaquero M, Bouquio D, Kallab M, Biggs K, Nair G, Ochoa J, Heras-Garvin A, Heid C, Hadrovic I, Poewe W, Wenning GK, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G, Stefanova N. The molecular tweezer CLR01 reduces aggregated, pathologic, and seeding-competent α-synuclein in experimental multiple system atrophy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:165513. [PMID: 31319154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal, adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that has no cure and very limited treatment options. MSA is characterized by deposition of fibrillar α-synuclein (α-syn) in glial cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes. Similar to other synucleinopathies, α-syn self-assembly is thought to be a key pathologic event and a prominent target for disease modification in MSA. Molecular tweezers are broad-spectrum nanochaperones that prevent formation of toxic protein assemblies and enhance their clearance. The current lead compound, CLR01, has been shown to inhibit α-syn aggregation but has not yet been tested in the context of MSA. To fill this gap, here, we conducted a proof-of-concept study to assess the efficacy of CLR01 in remodeling MSA-like α-syn pathology in the PLP-α-syn mouse model of MSA. Six-month-old mice received intracerebroventricular CLR01 (0.3 or 1 mg/kg per day) or vehicle for 32 days. Open-field test revealed a significant, dose-dependent amelioration of an anxiety-like phenotype. Subsequently, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed dose-dependent reduction of pathological and seeding-competent forms of α-syn, which correlated with the behavioral phenotype. CLR01 treatment also promoted dopaminergic neuron survival in the substantia nigra. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an agent that reduces formation of putative high-molecular-weight oligomers and seeding-competent α-syn in a mouse model of MSA, supporting the view that these species are key to the neurodegenerative process and its cell-to-cell progression in MSA. Our study suggests that CLR01 is an attractive therapeutic candidate for disease modification in MSA and related synucleinopathies, supporting further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Herrera-Vaquero
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Danielle Bouquio
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kallab
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karl Biggs
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gayatri Nair
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Ochoa
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antonio Heras-Garvin
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Heid
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Inesa Hadrovic
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Werner Poewe
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor K Wenning
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
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25
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Despres C, Di J, Cantrelle FX, Li Z, Huvent I, Chambraud B, Zhao J, Chen J, Chen S, Lippens G, Zhang F, Linhardt R, Wang C, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Landrieu I, Bitan G, Smet-Nocca C. Major Differences between the Self-Assembly and Seeding Behavior of Heparin-Induced and in Vitro Phosphorylated Tau and Their Modulation by Potential Inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1363-1379. [PMID: 31046227 PMCID: PMC6636790 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Self-assembly of
the microtubule-associated protein tau into neurotoxic
oligomers, fibrils, and paired helical filaments, and cell-to-cell
spreading of these pathological tau species are critical processes
underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and other
tauopathies. Modulating the self-assembly process and inhibiting formation
and spreading of such toxic species are promising strategies for therapy
development. A challenge in investigating tau self-assembly in vitro
is that, unlike most amyloidogenic proteins, tau does not aggregate
in the absence of posttranslational modifications (PTM), aggregation
inducers, or preformed seeds. The most common induction method is
addition of polyanions, such as heparin; yet, this artificial system
may not represent adequately tau self-assembly in vivo, which is driven
by aberrant phosphorylation and other PTMs, potentially leading to
in vitro data that do not reflect the behavior of tau and its interaction
with modulators in vivo. To tackle these challenges, methods for in
vitro phosphorylation of tau to produce aggregation-competent forms
recently have been introduced (Despres
et al. (2017) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 114, 9080−908528784767). However, the oligomerization, seeding, and interaction
with assembly modulators of the different forms of tau have not been
studied to date. To address these knowledge gaps, we compared here
side-by-side the self-assembly and seeding activity of heparin-induced
tau with two forms of in vitro phosphorylated tau and tested how the
molecular tweezer CLR01, a negatively charged compound, affected these
processes. Tau was phosphorylated by incubation either with activated
extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 or with a whole rat brain
extract. Seeding activity was measured using a fluorescence-resonance
energy transfer-based biosensor-cell method. We also used solution-state
NMR to investigate the binding sites of CLR01 on tau and how they
were impacted by phosphorylation. Our systematic structure–activity
relationship study demonstrates that heparin-induced tau behaves differently
from in vitro phosphorylated tau. The aggregation rates of the different
forms are distinct as is the intracellular localization of the induced
aggregates, which resemble brain-derived tau strains suggesting that
heparin-induced tau and in vitro phosphorylated tau have different
conformations, properties, and activities. CLR01 inhibits aggregation
and seeding of both heparin-induced and in vitro phosphorylated tau
dose-dependently, although heparin induction interferes with the interaction
between CLR01 and tau.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jianle Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310029, China
| | - Shiguo Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310029, China
| | - Guy Lippens
- Lille University CNRS UMR 8576, UGSF, F-59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Robert Linhardt
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310029, China
| | | | - Frank-Gerrit Klärner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
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26
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Chidambaram SB, Rathipriya AG, Bolla SR, Bhat A, Ray B, Mahalakshmi AM, Manivasagam T, Thenmozhi AJ, Essa MM, Guillemin GJ, Chandra R, Sakharkar MK. Dendritic spines: Revisiting the physiological role. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:161-193. [PMID: 30654089 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small, thin, specialized protrusions from neuronal dendrites, primarily localized in the excitatory synapses. Sophisticated imaging techniques revealed that dendritic spines are complex structures consisting of a dense network of cytoskeletal, transmembrane and scaffolding molecules, and numerous surface receptors. Molecular signaling pathways, mainly Rho and Ras family small GTPases pathways that converge on actin cytoskeleton, regulate the spine morphology and dynamics bi-directionally during synaptic activity. During synaptic plasticity the number and shapes of dendritic spines undergo radical reorganizations. Long-term potentiation (LTP) induction promote spine head enlargement and the formation and stabilization of new spines. Long-term depression (LTD) results in their shrinkage and retraction. Reports indicate increased spine density in the pyramidal neurons of autism and Fragile X syndrome patients and reduced density in the temporal gyrus loci of schizophrenic patients. Post-mortem reports of Alzheimer's brains showed reduced spine number in the hippocampus and cortex. This review highlights the spine morphogenesis process, the activity-dependent structural plasticity and mechanisms by which synaptic activity sculpts the dendritic spines, the structural and functional changes in spines during learning and memory using LTP and LTD processes. It also discusses on spine status in neurodegenerative diseases and the impact of nootropics and neuroprotective agents on the functional restoration of dendritic spines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana Babu Chidambaram
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India.
| | - A G Rathipriya
- Food and Brain Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Srinivasa Rao Bolla
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abid Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
| | - Bipul Ray
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
| | - Arehally Marappa Mahalakshmi
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
| | - Thamilarasan Manivasagam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Arokiasamy Justin Thenmozhi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuropharmacology Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Deb Bailey MND Research Laboratory, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, Ambedkar Centre for BioMedical Research, Delhi University, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Meena Kishore Sakharkar
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 107, Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada.
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27
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Izuo N, Murakami K, Fujihara Y, Maeda M, Saito T, Saido TC, Irie K, Shimizu T. An App knock-in mouse inducing the formation of a toxic conformer of Aβ as a model for evaluating only oligomer-induced cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 515:462-467. [PMID: 31164199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.05.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Irie and colleagues identified a "toxic conformer", which possesses a turn structure at positions 22-23, among various conformations of Aβ and have been reporting its potent oligomeric capacity and neurotoxicity. This toxic conformer was detected in the brains of AD patients and AD model mice (Tg2576 line), and passive immunization targeting this conformer ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in an AD model. In this study, we developed a novel AD mouse model (AppNL-P-F/NL-P-F) with Swedish mutation (NL), Iberian mutation (F), and mutation (P) overproducing E22P-Aβ, a mimic of the toxic conformer, utilizing the knock-in technique that well recapitulates the Aβ pathology of AD patients in mice and avoids the artificial phenotype observed in transgenic-type model mice. We confirmed that AppNL-P-F/NL-P-F mice produce Aβ by ELISA and accumulate senile plaques by immunohistochemistry at eight months of age. In WB, we observed a potential trimer band and high molecular-weight oligomer bands without a monomeric band in the TBS-soluble fraction of AppNL-P-F/NL-P-F mice at six months of age. In the novel object recognition test, cognitive impairment was observed at six months of age in these mice. These findings suggest that the toxic conformer of Aβ induces cognitive dysfunction mediated by its oligomer formation in this mouse brain. AppNL-P-F/NL-P-F mice may be a useful model for evaluating Aβ oligomer-induced cognitive impairment in AD and will aid in exploring therapeutic targets for AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naotaka Izuo
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Vascular Neurodegeneration Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne University, VIC, Australia
| | - Kazuma Murakami
- Division of Food Science & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Maeda
- Immuno-Biological Laboratories Co, Ltd, Fujioka-shi, Gumma, Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Irie
- Division of Food Science & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiko Shimizu
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Mechanism of Aging, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan.
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28
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Mbarek A, Moussa G, Chain JL. Pharmaceutical Applications of Molecular Tweezers, Clefts and Clips. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24091803. [PMID: 31075983 PMCID: PMC6539068 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24091803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic acyclic receptors, composed of two arms connected with a spacer enabling molecular recognition, have been intensively explored in host-guest chemistry in the past decades. They fall into the categories of molecular tweezers, clefts and clips, depending on the geometry allowing the recognition of various guests. The advances in synthesis and mechanistic studies have pushed them forward to pharmaceutical applications, such as neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. In this review, we provide a summary of the synthetic molecular tweezers, clefts and clips that have been reported for pharmaceutical applications. Their structures, mechanism of action as well as in vitro and in vivo results are described. Such receptors were found to selectively bind biological guests, namely, nucleic acids, sugars, amino acids and proteins enabling their use as biosensors or therapeutics. Particularly interesting are dynamic molecular tweezers which are capable of controlled motion in response to an external stimulus. They proved their utility as imaging agents or in the design of controlled release systems. Despite some issues, such as stability, cytotoxicity or biocompatibility that still need to be addressed, it is obvious that molecular tweezers, clefts and clips are promising candidates for several incurable diseases as therapeutic agents, diagnostic or delivery tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Mbarek
- Gene Delivery Laboratory, Faculty of pharmacy, Université de Montréal, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Ghina Moussa
- Gene Delivery Laboratory, Faculty of pharmacy, Université de Montréal, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Jeanne Leblond Chain
- Gene Delivery Laboratory, Faculty of pharmacy, Université de Montréal, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Univ. Bordeaux, ARNA Laboratory, F-33016 Bordeaux, France.
- INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, ARNA Laboratory, F-33016 Bordeaux, France.
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29
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Malik R, Meng H, Wongkongkathep P, Corrales CI, Sepanj N, Atlasi RS, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Spencer MJ, Loo JA, Wiedau M, Bitan G. The molecular tweezer CLR01 inhibits aberrant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) self-assembly in vitro and in the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:3501-3513. [PMID: 30602569 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause 15-20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) cases. The resulting amino acid substitutions destabilize SOD1's protein structure, leading to its self-assembly into neurotoxic oligomers and aggregates, a process hypothesized to cause the characteristic motor-neuron degeneration in affected individuals. Currently, effective disease-modifying therapy is not available for ALS. Molecular tweezers prevent formation of toxic protein assemblies, yet their protective action has not been tested previously on SOD1 or in the context of ALS. Here, we tested the molecular tweezer CLR01-a broad-spectrum inhibitor of the self-assembly and toxicity of amyloid proteins-as a potential therapeutic agent for ALS. Using recombinant WT and mutant SOD1, we found that CLR01 inhibited the aggregation of all tested SOD1 forms in vitro Next, we examined whether CLR01 could prevent the formation of misfolded SOD1 in the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS and whether such inhibition would have a beneficial therapeutic effect. CLR01 treatment decreased misfolded SOD1 in the spinal cord significantly. However, these histological findings did not correlate with improvement of the disease phenotype. A small, dose-dependent decrease in disease duration was found in CLR01-treated mice, relative to vehicle-treated animals, yet motor function did not improve in any of the treatment groups. These results demonstrate that CLR01 can inhibit SOD1 misfolding and aggregation both in vitro and in vivo, but raise the question whether such inhibition is sufficient for achieving a therapeutic effect. Additional studies in other less aggressive ALS models may be needed to determine the therapeutic potential of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Malik
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | - Helen Meng
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | | | | | - Niki Sepanj
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | - Ryan S Atlasi
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Essen, Germany
| | - Melissa J Spencer
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and.,Brain Research Institute, and
| | - Joseph A Loo
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and.,Biological Chemistry.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095 and
| | - Martina Wiedau
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and .,Brain Research Institute, and
| | - Gal Bitan
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and .,Brain Research Institute, and.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095 and
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30
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Intraneuronal accumulation of C99 contributes to synaptic alterations, apathy-like behavior, and spatial learning deficits in 3×TgAD and 2×TgAD mice. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 71:21-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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31
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Röcker A, Roan NR, Yadav JK, Fändrich M, Münch J. Structure, function and antagonism of semen amyloids. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:7557-7569. [PMID: 29873340 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc01491d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are linear polypeptide aggregates with a cross-β structure. These fibrils are best known for their association with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, but they may also be used by living organisms as functional units, e.g. in the synthesis of melanin or in the formation of bacterial biofilms. About a decade ago, in a search for semen factors that modulate infection by HIV-1 (a sexually transmitted virus and the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), it was demonstrated that semen harbors amyloid fibrils capable of markedly increasing HIV infection rates. This discovery not only created novel opportunities to prevent sexual HIV-1 transmission but also stimulated research to unravel the natural role of these factors. We discuss here the identification of these intriguing structures, their molecular properties, and their effects on both sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health. Moreover, we review strategies to antagonize semen amyloid to prevent sexual transmission of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Röcker
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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32
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Mittal S, Bravo-Rodriguez K, Sanchez-Garcia E. Mechanism of Inhibition of Beta Amyloid Toxicity by Supramolecular Tweezers. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:4196-4205. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b10530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mittal
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 2, 45141 Essen, Germany
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33
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Röcker AE, Müller JA, Dietzel E, Harms M, Krüger F, Heid C, Sowislok A, Riber CF, Kupke A, Lippold S, von Einem J, Beer J, Knöll B, Becker S, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Otto M, Vapalahti O, Zelikin AN, Bitan G, Schrader T, Münch J. The molecular tweezer CLR01 inhibits Ebola and Zika virus infection. Antiviral Res 2018; 152:26-35. [PMID: 29428508 PMCID: PMC7113745 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Ebola (EBOV) and Zika viruses (ZIKV) are responsible for recent global health threats. As no preventive vaccines or antiviral drugs against these two re-emerging pathogens are available, we evaluated whether the molecular tweezer CLR01 may inhibit EBOV and ZIKV infection. This small molecule has previously been shown to inactivate HIV-1 and herpes viruses through a selective interaction with lipid-raft-rich regions in the viral envelope, which results in membrane disruption and loss of infectivity. We found that CLR01 indeed blocked infection of EBOV and ZIKV in a dose-dependent manner. The tweezer inhibited infection of epidemic ZIKV strains in cells derived from the anogenital tract and the central nervous system, and remained antivirally active in the presence of semen, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Our findings show that CLR01 is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of enveloped viruses with prospects as a preventative microbicide or antiviral agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika E Röcker
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Janis A Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Erik Dietzel
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Franziska Krüger
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Heid
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Sowislok
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Alexandra Kupke
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sina Lippold
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jens von Einem
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Judith Beer
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Bernd Knöll
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephan Becker
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology and Immunology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Gal Bitan
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; U-PEP and Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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34
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Coskun P, Helguera P, Nemati Z, Bohannan RC, Thomas J, Samuel SE, Argueta J, Doran E, Wallace DC, Lott IT, Busciglio J. Metabolic and Growth Rate Alterations in Lymphoblastic Cell Lines Discriminate Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 55:737-748. [PMID: 27802222 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and these alterations in mitochondria occur systemically in both conditions. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that peripheral cells of elder subjects with DS exhibit disease-specific and dementia-specific metabolic features. To test this, we performed a comprehensive analysis of energy metabolism in lymphoblastic-cell-lines (LCLs) derived from subjects belonging to four groups: DS-with-dementia (DSAD), DS-without-dementia (DS), sporadic AD, and age-matched controls. METHODS LCLs were studied under regular or minimal feeding regimes with galactose or glucose as primary carbohydrate sources. We assessed metabolism under glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation by quantifying cell viability, oxidative stress, ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial calcium uptake, and autophagy. RESULTS DS and DSAD LCLs showed slower growth rates under minimal feeding. DS LCLs mainly dependent on mitochondrial respiration exhibited significantly slower growth and higher levels of oxidative stress compared to other groups. While ATP levels (under mitochondrial inhibitors) and mitochondrial calcium uptake were significantly reduced in DSAD and AD cells, MMP was decreased in DS, DSAD, and AD LCLs. Finally, DS LCLs showed markedly reduced levels of the autophagy marker LC3-II, underscoring the close association between metabolic dysfunction and impaired autophagy in DS. CONCLUSION There are significant mitochondrial functional changes in LCLs derived from DS, DSAD, and AD patients. Several parameters analyzed were consistently different between DS, DSAD, and AD lines suggesting that metabolic indicators between LCL groups may be utilized as biomarkers of disease progression and/or treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Coskun
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Pablo Helguera
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, Córdoba, Argentina, USA
| | - Zahra Nemati
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ryan C Bohannan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jean Thomas
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Schriner E Samuel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jocelyn Argueta
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Eric Doran
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (CMEM), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ira T Lott
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jorge Busciglio
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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35
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Malik R, Di J, Nair G, Attar A, Taylor K, Teng E, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Using Molecular Tweezers to Remodel Abnormal Protein Self-Assembly and Inhibit the Toxicity of Amyloidogenic Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1777:369-386. [PMID: 29744849 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7811-3_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Molecular tweezers (MTs) are broad-spectrum inhibitors of abnormal protein self-assembly, which act by binding selectively to lysine and arginine residues. Through this unique mechanism of action, MTs inhibit formation of toxic oligomers and aggregates. Their efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in vitro, in cell culture, and in animal models. Here, we discuss the application of MTs in diverse in vitro and in vivo systems, the experimental details, the scope of their use, and the limitations of the approach. We also consider methods for administration of MTs in animal models to measure efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic parameters in proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Malik
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jing Di
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gayatri Nair
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aida Attar
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Karen Taylor
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edmond Teng
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Veterans Hospital, West Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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36
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Longhena F, Spano P, Bellucci A. Targeting of Disordered Proteins by Small Molecules in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018; 245:85-110. [PMID: 28965171 DOI: 10.1007/164_2017_60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The formation of protein aggregates and inclusions in the brain and spinal cord is a common neuropathological feature of a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and many others. These are commonly referred as neurodegenerative proteinopathies or protein-misfolding diseases. The main characteristic of protein aggregates in these disorders is the fact that they are enriched in amyloid fibrils. Since protein aggregation is considered to play a central role for the onset of neurodegenerative proteinopathies, research is ongoing to develop strategies aimed at preventing or removing protein aggregation in the brain of affected patients. Numerous studies have shown that small molecule-based approaches may be potentially the most promising for halting protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, several of these compounds have been found to interact with intrinsically disordered proteins and promote their clearing in experimental models. This notwithstanding, at present small molecule inhibitors still awaits achievements for clinical translation. Hopefully, if we determine whether the formation of insoluble inclusions is effectively neurotoxic and find a valid biomarker to assess their protein aggregation-inhibitory activity in the human central nervous system, the use of small molecule inhibitors will be considered as a cure for neurodegenerative protein-misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Longhena
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa No. 11, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - PierFranco Spano
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa No. 11, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa No. 11, Brescia, 25123, Italy.
- Laboratory of Personalized and Preventive Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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37
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Gulisano W, Maugeri D, Baltrons MA, Fà M, Amato A, Palmeri A, D’Adamio L, Grassi C, Devanand D, Honig LS, Puzzo D, Arancio O. Role of Amyloid-β and Tau Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease: Confuting the Amyloid Cascade. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S611-S631. [PMID: 29865055 PMCID: PMC8371153 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179935] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The "Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis" has dominated the Alzheimer's disease (AD) field in the last 25 years. It posits that the increase of amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key event in AD that triggers tau pathology followed by neuronal death and eventually, the disease. However, therapeutic approaches aimed at decreasing Aβ levels have so far failed, and tau-based clinical trials have not yet produced positive findings. This begs the question of whether the hypothesis is correct. Here we have examined literature on the role of Aβ and tau in synaptic dysfunction, memory loss, and seeding and spreading of AD, highlighting important parallelisms between the two proteins in all of these phenomena. We discuss novel findings showing binding of both Aβ and tau oligomers to amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), and the requirement for the presence of this protein for both Aβ and tau to enter neurons and induce abnormal synaptic function and memory. Most importantly, we propose a novel view of AD pathogenesis in which extracellular oligomers of Aβ and tau act in parallel and upstream of AβPP. Such a view will call for a reconsideration of therapeutic approaches directed against Aβ and tau, paving the way to an increased interest toward AβPP, both for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and elaborating new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Maugeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marian A. Baltrons
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mauro Fà
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arianna Amato
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - D.P. Devanand
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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38
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Bengoa-Vergniory N, Roberts RF, Wade-Martins R, Alegre-Abarrategui J. Alpha-synuclein oligomers: a new hope. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:819-838. [PMID: 28803412 PMCID: PMC5663814 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1755-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein is a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease and thought to be one of the main pathological drivers in the disease, although it remains unclear how this protein elicits its neurotoxic effects. Recent findings indicate that the assembly of toxic oligomeric species of alpha-synuclein may be one of the key processes for the pathology and spread of the disease. The absence of a sensitive in situ detection method has hindered the study of these oligomeric species and the role they play in the human brain until recently. In this review, we assess the evidence for the toxicity and prion-like activity of oligomeric forms of alpha-synuclein and discuss the advances in our understanding of the role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease that may be brought about by the specific and sensitive detection of distinct oligomeric species in post-mortem patient brain. Finally, we discuss current approaches being taken to therapeutically target alpha-synuclein oligomers and their implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Bengoa-Vergniory
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Rosalind F Roberts
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK.
| | - Javier Alegre-Abarrategui
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK.
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39
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van Dun S, Ottmann C, Milroy LG, Brunsveld L. Supramolecular Chemistry Targeting Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:13960-13968. [PMID: 28926241 PMCID: PMC5639466 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b01979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The specific recognition of protein surface elements is a fundamental challenge in the life sciences. New developments in this field will form the basis of advanced therapeutic approaches and lead to applications such as sensors, affinity tags, immobilization techniques, and protein-based materials. Synthetic supramolecular molecules and materials are creating new opportunities for protein recognition that are orthogonal to classical small molecule and protein-based approaches. As outlined here, their unique molecular features enable the recognition of amino acids, peptides, and even whole protein surfaces, which can be applied to the modulation and assembly of proteins. We believe that structural insights into these processes are of great value for the further development of this field and have therefore focused this Perspective on contributions that provide such structural data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam van Dun
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology
and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Ottmann
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology
and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lech-Gustav Milroy
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology
and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology
and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Richter F, Subramaniam SR, Magen I, Lee P, Hayes J, Attar A, Zhu C, Franich NR, Bove N, De La Rosa K, Kwong J, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Chesselet MF, Bitan G. A Molecular Tweezer Ameliorates Motor Deficits in Mice Overexpressing α-Synuclein. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:1107-1119. [PMID: 28585223 PMCID: PMC5722755 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant accumulation and self-assembly of α-synuclein are tightly linked to several neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopathies, including idiopathic Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Deposition of fibrillar α-synuclein as insoluble inclusions in affected brain cells is a pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies. However, water-soluble α-synuclein oligomers may be the actual culprits causing neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in synucleinopathies. Accordingly, therapeutic approaches targeting the toxic α-synuclein assemblies are attractive for these incurable disorders. The "molecular tweezer" CLR01 selectively remodels abnormal protein self-assembly through reversible binding to Lys residues. Here, we treated young male mice overexpressing human wild-type α-synuclein under control of the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-aSyn mice) with CLR01 and examined motor behavior and α-synuclein in the brain. Intracerebroventricular administration of CLR01 for 28 days to the mice improved motor dysfunction in the challenging beam test and caused a significant decrease of buffer-soluble α-synuclein in the striatum. Proteinase-K-resistant, insoluble α-synuclein deposits remained unchanged in the substantia nigra, whereas levels of diffuse cytoplasmic α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons increased in mice receiving CLR01 compared with vehicle. More moderate improvement of motor deficits was also achieved by subcutaneous administration of CLR01, in 2/5 trials of the challenging beam test and in the pole test, which requires balance and coordination. The data support further development of molecular tweezers as therapeutic agents for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Richter
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sudhakar R Subramaniam
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Iddo Magen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Lee
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane Hayes
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aida Attar
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chunni Zhu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas R Franich
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Bove
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Krystal De La Rosa
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacky Kwong
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marie-Françoise Chesselet
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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41
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Stark T, Lieblein T, Pohland M, Kalden E, Freund P, Zangl R, Grewal R, Heilemann M, Eckert GP, Morgner N, Göbel MW. Peptidomimetics That Inhibit and Partially Reverse the Aggregation of Aβ1–42. Biochemistry 2017; 56:4840-4849. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rekha Grewal
- Institute
of Nutritional Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Wilhelmstrasse
20, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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42
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Xu N, Bitan G, Schrader T, Klärner FG, Osinska H, Robbins J. Inhibition of Mutant αB Crystallin-Induced Protein Aggregation by a Molecular Tweezer. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.117.006182. [PMID: 28862927 PMCID: PMC5586456 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.006182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Compromised protein quality control causes the accumulation of misfolded proteins and intracellular aggregates, contributing to cardiac disease and heart failure. The development of therapeutics directed at proteotoxicity‐based pathology in heart disease is just beginning. The molecular tweezer CLR01 is a broad‐spectrum inhibitor of abnormal self‐assembly of amyloidogenic proteins, including amyloid β‐protein, tau, and α‐synuclein. This small molecule interferes with aggregation by binding selectively to lysine side chains, changing the charge distribution of aggregation‐prone proteins and thereby disrupting aggregate formation. However, the effects of CLR01 in cardiomyocytes undergoing proteotoxic stress have not been explored. Here we assess whether CLR01 can decrease cardiac protein aggregation catalyzed by cardiomyocyte‐specific expression of mutated αB‐crystallin (CryABR120G). Methods and Results A proteotoxic model of desmin‐related cardiomyopathy caused by cardiomyocyte‐specific expression of CryABR120G was used to test the efficacy of CLR01 therapy in the heart. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were infected with adenovirus expressing either wild‐type CryAB or CryABR120G. Subsequently, the cells were treated with different doses of CLR01 or a closely related but inactive derivative, CLR03. CLR01 decreased aggregate accumulation and attenuated cytotoxicity caused by CryABR120G expression in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas CLR03 had no effect. Ubiquitin‐proteasome system function was analyzed using a ubiquitin‐proteasome system reporter protein consisting of a short degron, CL1, fused to the COOH‐terminus of green fluorescent protein. CLR01 improved proteasomal function in CryABR120G cardiomyocytes but did not alter autophagic flux. In vivo, CLR01 administration also resulted in reduced protein aggregates in CryABR120G transgenic mice. Conclusions CLR01 can inhibit CryABR120G aggregate formation and decrease cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes undergoing proteotoxic stress, presumably through clearance of the misfolded protein via increased proteasomal function. CLR01 or related compounds may be therapeutically useful in treating the pathogenic sequelae resulting from proteotoxic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xu
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, CA
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Hanna Osinska
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Jeffrey Robbins
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
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Jouanne M, Rault S, Voisin-Chiret AS. Tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease: An attractive target for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:153-167. [PMID: 28800454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder in which many biological dysfunctions are involved. Among them, two main types of lesions were discovered and widely studied: the amyloid plaques and the neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These two lesions are caused by the dysfunction and the accumulation of two proteins which are, respectively, the beta-amyloid peptide and the tau protein. The process that leads these two proteins to aggregate is complex and is the subject of current studies. After a brief description of the aggregation mechanisms, we will provide an overview of new therapeutic agents targeting the different dysfunctions and toxic species found during aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Jouanne
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France
| | - Sylvain Rault
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Voisin-Chiret
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France.
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44
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Ripoli C. Engrampigenetics: Epigenetics of engram memory cells. Behav Brain Res 2017; 325:297-302. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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45
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Comparative Neuroprotective Effects of Dietary Curcumin and Solid Lipid Curcumin Particles in Cultured Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells after Exposure to A β42. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 2017:4164872. [PMID: 28567323 PMCID: PMC5439264 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4164872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of amyloid beta protein (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-Tau) plays critical roles in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As an antiamyloid natural polyphenol, curcumin (Cur) has a potential role in prevention of neurodegeneration in AD. However, due to limited absorption of the dietary Cur, the solid lipid Cur particles (SLCP) have been suggested as being more effective for AD therapy. In the present study, we compared the role of dietary Cur and SLCP on oxidative stress, neuronal death, p-Tau level, and certain cell survival markers in vitro, after exposure to Aβ42. Mouse neuroblastoma cells were exposed to Aβ42 for 24 h and incubated with or without dietary Cur and/or SLCP. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptotic cell death, p-Tau, and tau kinase (including GSK-3β and cell survival markers, such as total Akt, phosphorylated Akt, and PSD95 levels) were investigated. SLCP showed greater permeability than dietary Cur in vitro, decreased ROS production, and prevented apoptotic death. In addition, SLCP also inhibited p-Tau formation and significantly decreased GSK-3β levels. Further, the cell survival markers, such as total Akt, p-Akt, and PSD95 levels, were more effectively maintained by SLCP than dietary Cur in Aβ42 exposed cells. Therefore, SLCP may provide greater neuroprotection than dietary Cur in Alzheimer's disease.
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46
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Krishna K, Behnisch T, Sajikumar S. Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 3 Restores Amyloid-β Oligomer-Induced Plasticity Deficit in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 51:783-91. [PMID: 26890755 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with alterations in epigenetic factors leading to cognitive decline. Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is a known critical epigenetic negative regulator of learning and memory. In this study, attenuation of long-term potentiation by amyloid-β oligomer, and its reversal by specific HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966, was performed in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons using whole cell voltage-clamp and field recording techniques. Our findings provide the first evidence that amyloid-β oligomer-induced synaptic plasticity impairment can be prevented by inhibition of HDAC3 enzyme both at the single neuron as well as in a population of neurons, thus identifying HDAC3 as a potential target for ameliorating AD related plasticity impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Krishna
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Behnisch
- The Institutes of Brain Science, The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sreedharan Sajikumar
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology/Aging Program, Life Sciences Institute (LSI), National University of Singapore, Singapore
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47
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Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Daniele A, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Zuliani G, Greco A, Logroscino G, Panza F. Tau-directed approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: focus on leuco-methylthioninium. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:259-77. [PMID: 26822031 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1140039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Small molecular weight compounds able to inhibit formation of tau oligomers and fibrils have already been tested for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT(+)). MT chloride (also known as methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II study in 321 mild-to-moderate AD patients at the doses of 69, 138, and 228 mg/day. This trial failed to show significant positive effects of MT in the overall patient population. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. A follow-up compound (TRx0237) claimed to be more bioavailable and less toxic than MT, is now being developed. Phase III clinical trials on this novel TAI in AD and in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Seripa
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- b Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit and Rare Disease Centre , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- c Research & Development Department , Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma , Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- d Institute of Neurology , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- e Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section, 'OORR' Hospital , University of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Giovanni Zuliani
- g Department of Medical Science, Section of Internal and Cardiopulmonary Medicine , University of Ferrara
| | - Antonio Greco
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy.,f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
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48
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Lulla A, Barnhill L, Bitan G, Ivanova MI, Nguyen B, O’Donnell K, Stahl MC, Yamashiro C, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Sagasti A, Bronstein JM. Neurotoxicity of the Parkinson Disease-Associated Pesticide Ziram Is Synuclein-Dependent in Zebrafish Embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:1766-1775. [PMID: 27301718 PMCID: PMC5089875 DOI: 10.1289/ehp141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2015] [Revised: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to the commonly used dithiocarbamate (DTC) pesticides is associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson disease (PD), although the mechanisms by which they exert their toxicity are not completely understood. OBJECTIVE We studied the mechanisms of ziram's (a DTC fungicide) neurotoxicity in vivo. METHODS Zebrafish (ZF) embryos were utilized to determine ziram's effects on behavior, neuronal toxicity, and the role of synuclein in its toxicity. RESULTS Nanomolar-range concentrations of ziram caused selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and impaired swimming behavior. Because ziram increases α-synuclein (α-syn) concentrations in rat primary neuronal cultures, we investigated the effect of ziram on ZF γ-synuclein 1 (γ1). ZF express 3 synuclein isoforms, and ZF γ1 appears to be the closest functional homologue to α-syn. We found that recombinant ZF γ1 formed fibrils in vitro, and overexpression of ZF γ1 in ZF embryos led to the formation of neuronal aggregates and neurotoxicity in a manner similar to that of α-syn. Importantly, knockdown of ZF γ1 with morpholinos and disruption of oligomers with the molecular tweezer CLR01 prevented ziram's DA toxicity. CONCLUSIONS These data show that ziram is selectively toxic to DA neurons in vivo, and this toxicity is synuclein-dependent. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which pesticides may cause PD. Citation: Lulla A, Barnhill L, Bitan G, Ivanova MI, Nguyen B, O'Donnell K, Stahl MC, Yamashiro C, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Sagasti A, Bronstein JM. 2016. Neurotoxicity of the Parkinson disease-associated pesticide ziram is synuclein-dependent in zebrafish embryos. Environ Health Perspect 124:1766-1775; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP141.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Lulla
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lisa Barnhill
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Brain Research Institute, and
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Magdalena I. Ivanova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA-DOE Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Binh Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kelley O’Donnell
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mark C. Stahl
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chase Yamashiro
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alvaro Sagasti
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeff M. Bronstein
- Department of Neurology, University of Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Brain Research Institute, and
- Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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49
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Schwing K, Gerhards M. Investigations on isolated peptides by combined IR/UV spectroscopy in a molecular beam – structure, aggregation, solvation and molecular recognition. INT REV PHYS CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/0144235x.2016.1229331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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50
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Schrader T, Bitan G, Klärner FG. Molecular tweezers for lysine and arginine - powerful inhibitors of pathologic protein aggregation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:11318-34. [PMID: 27546596 PMCID: PMC5026632 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc04640a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular tweezers represent the first class of artificial receptor molecules that have made the way from a supramolecular host to a drug candidate with promising results in animal tests. Due to their unique structure, only lysine and arginine are well complexed with exquisite selectivity by a threading mechanism, which unites electrostatic, hydrophobic and dispersive attraction. However, tweezer design must avoid self-dimerization, self-inclusion and external guest binding. Moderate affinities of molecular tweezers towards sterically well accessible basic amino acids with fast on and off rates protect normal proteins from potential interference with their biological function. However, the early stages of abnormal Aβ, α-synuclein, and TTR assembly are redirected upon tweezer binding towards the generation of amorphous non-toxic materials that can be degraded by the intracellular and extracellular clearance mechanisms. Thus, specific host-guest chemistry between aggregation-prone proteins and lysine/arginine binders rescues cell viability and restores animal health in models of AD, PD, and TTR amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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