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Lu X, Lu J, Li S, Feng S, Wang Y, Cui L. The Role of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in the Accumulation of Pathological Proteins: New Perspectives on the Mechanism of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0209. [PMID: 38739933 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that living organisms form highly dynamic membrane-less organelles (MLOS) with various functions through phase separation, and the indispensable role that phase separation plays in the mechanisms of normal physiological functions and pathogenesis is gradually becoming clearer. Pathological aggregates, regarded as hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, have been revealed to be closely related to aberrant phase separation. Specific proteins are assembled into condensates and transform into insoluble inclusions through aberrant phase separation, contributing to the development of diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the progress of phase separation research, involving its biological mechanisms and the status of research in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on five main disease-specific proteins, tau, TDP-43, FUS, α-Syn and HTT, and how exactly these proteins reside within dynamic liquid-like compartments and thus turn into solid deposits. Further studies will yield new perspectives for understanding the aggregation mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, and future research directions are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Lu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiongtong Lu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Sifan Feng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lili Cui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong, School of Ocean and Tropical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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2
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Wang J, Zhu H, Tian R, Zhang Q, Zhang H, Hu J, Wang S. Physiological and pathological effects of phase separation in the central nervous system. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:599-615. [PMID: 38441598 PMCID: PMC11055734 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Phase separation, also known as biomolecule condensate, participates in physiological processes such as transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, gene expression, and DNA damage repair by creating a membrane-free compartment. Phase separation is primarily caused by the interaction of multivalent non-covalent bonds between proteins and/or nucleic acids. The strength of molecular multivalent interaction can be modified by component concentration, the potential of hydrogen, posttranslational modification, and other factors. Notably, phase separation occurs frequently in the cytoplasm of mitochondria, the nucleus, and synapses. Phase separation in vivo is dynamic or stable in the normal physiological state, while abnormal phase separation will lead to the formation of biomolecule condensates, speeding up the disease progression. To provide candidate suggestions for the clinical treatment of nervous system diseases, this review, based on existing studies, carefully and systematically represents the physiological roles of phase separation in the central nervous system and its pathological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China.
| | - Ruijia Tian
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoliang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Hu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Pandey NK, Varkey J, Ajayan A, George G, Chen J, Langen R. Fluorescent protein tagging promotes phase separation and alters the aggregation pathway of huntingtin exon-1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105585. [PMID: 38141760 PMCID: PMC10825056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent protein tags are convenient tools for tracking the aggregation states of amyloidogenic or phase separating proteins, but the effect of the tags is often not well understood. Here, we investigated the impact of a C-terminal red fluorescent protein (RFP) tag on the phase separation of huntingtin exon-1 (Httex1), an N-terminal portion of the huntingtin protein that aggregates in Huntington's disease. We found that the RFP-tagged Httex1 rapidly formed micron-sized, phase separated states in the presence of a crowding agent. The formed structures had a rounded appearance and were highly dynamic according to electron paramagnetic resonance and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, suggesting that the phase separated state was largely liquid in nature. Remarkably, the untagged protein did not undergo any detectable liquid condensate formation under the same conditions. In addition to strongly promoting liquid-liquid phase separation, the RFP tag also facilitated fibril formation, as the tag-dependent liquid condensates rapidly underwent a liquid-to-solid transition. The rate of fibril formation under these conditions was significantly faster than that of the untagged protein. When expressed in cells, the RFP-tagged Httex1 formed larger aggregates with different antibody staining patterns compared to untagged Httex1. Collectively, these data reveal that the addition of a fluorescent protein tag significantly impacts liquid and solid phase separations of Httex1 in vitro and leads to altered aggregation in cells. Considering that the tagged Httex1 is commonly used to study the mechanisms of Httex1 misfolding and toxicity, our findings highlight the importance to validate the conclusions with untagged protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin K Pandey
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jobin Varkey
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anakha Ajayan
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gincy George
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeannie Chen
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ralf Langen
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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4
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Makeeva VS, Dyrkheeva NS, Lavrik OI, Zakian SM, Malakhova AA. Mutant-Huntingtin Molecular Pathways Elucidate New Targets for Drug Repurposing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16798. [PMID: 38069121 PMCID: PMC10706709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases known today is quite extensive. The complexities of their research and treatment lie not only in their diversity. Even many years of struggle and narrowly focused research on common pathologies such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other brain diseases have not brought cures for these illnesses. What can be said about orphan diseases? In particular, Huntington's disease (HD), despite affecting a smaller part of the human population, still attracts many researchers. This disorder is known to result from a mutation in the HTT gene, but having this information still does not simplify the task of drug development and studying the mechanisms of disease progression. Nonetheless, the data accumulated over the years and their analysis provide a good basis for further research. Here, we review studies devoted to understanding the mechanisms of HD. We analyze genes and molecular pathways involved in HD pathogenesis to describe the action of repurposed drugs and try to find new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladlena S. Makeeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Nadezhda S. Dyrkheeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Olga I. Lavrik
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Suren M. Zakian
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Anastasia A. Malakhova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
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5
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Xie J, Kittur FS, Hung CY, Ding TT. Regulation of one-carbon metabolism may open new avenues to slow down the initiation and progression of Huntington's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2401-2402. [PMID: 37282468 PMCID: PMC10360093 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.371363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahua Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Farooqahmed S. Kittur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chiu-Yueh Hung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tomas T. Ding
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
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6
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Ratovitski T, Kamath SV, O'Meally RN, Gosala K, Holland CD, Jiang M, Cole RN, Ross CA. Arginine methylation of RNA-binding proteins is impaired in Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3006-3025. [PMID: 37535888 PMCID: PMC10549789 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HD gene, coding for huntingtin protein (HTT). Mechanisms of HD cellular pathogenesis remain undefined and likely involve disruptions in many cellular processes and functions presumably mediated by abnormal protein interactions of mutant HTT. We previously found HTT interaction with several protein arginine methyl-transferase (PRMT) enzymes. Protein arginine methylation mediated by PRMT enzymes is an important post-translational modification with an emerging role in neurodegeneration. We found that normal (but not mutant) HTT can facilitate the activity of PRMTs in vitro and the formation of arginine methylation complexes. These interactions appear to be disrupted in HD neurons. This suggests an additional functional role for HTT/PRMT interactions, not limited to substrate/enzyme relationship, which may result in global changes in arginine protein methylation in HD. Our quantitative analysis of striatal precursor neuron proteome indicated that arginine protein methylation is significantly altered in HD. We identified a cluster highly enriched in RNA-binding proteins with reduced arginine methylation, which is essential to their function in RNA processing and splicing. We found that several of these proteins interact with HTT, and their RNA-binding and localization are affected in HD cells likely due to a compromised arginine methylation and/or abnormal interactions with mutant HTT. These studies reveal a potential new mechanism for disruption of RNA processing in HD, involving a direct interaction of HTT with methyl-transferase enzymes and modulation of their activity and highlighting methylation of arginine as potential new therapeutic target for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ratovitski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Siddhi V Kamath
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert N O'Meally
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Keerthana Gosala
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Chloe D Holland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mali Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert N Cole
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Christopher A Ross
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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7
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Chang K, Gao D, Yan J, Lin L, Cui T, Lu S. Critical Roles of Protein Arginine Methylation in the Central Nervous System. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6060-6091. [PMID: 37415067 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03465-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
A remarkable post-transitional modification of both histones and non-histone proteins is arginine methylation. Methylation of arginine residues is crucial for a wide range of cellular process, including signal transduction, DNA repair, gene expression, mRNA splicing, and protein interaction. Arginine methylation is modulated by arginine methyltransferases and demethylases, like protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMTs) and Jumonji C (JmjC) domain containing (JMJD) proteins. Symmetric dimethylarginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine, metabolic products of the PRMTs and JMJD proteins, can be changed by abnormal expression of these proteins. Many pathologies including cancer, inflammation and immune responses have been closely linked to aberrant arginine methylation. Currently, the majority of the literature discusses the substrate specificity and function of arginine methylation in the pathogenesis and prognosis of cancers. Numerous investigations on the roles of arginine methylation in the central nervous system (CNS) have so far been conducted. In this review, we display the biochemistry of arginine methylation and provide an overview of the regulatory mechanism of arginine methyltransferases and demethylases. We also highlight physiological functions of arginine methylation in the CNS and the significance of arginine methylation in a variety of neurological diseases such as brain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, we summarize PRMT inhibitors and molecular functions of arginine methylation. Finally, we pose important questions that require further research to comprehend the roles of arginine methylation in the CNS and discover more effective targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Chang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan Gao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jidong Yan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liyan Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shemin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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8
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Angelopoulou E, Pyrgelis ES, Ahire C, Suman P, Mishra A, Piperi C. Functional Implications of Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) in Neurodegenerative Diseases. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1257. [PMID: 37759656 PMCID: PMC10525691 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
During the aging of the global population, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases will be continuously growing. Although each disorder is characterized by disease-specific protein accumulations, several common pathophysiological mechanisms encompassing both genetic and environmental factors have been detected. Among them, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), which catalyze the methylation of arginine of various substrates, have been revealed to regulate several cellular mechanisms, including neuronal cell survival and excitability, axonal transport, synaptic maturation, and myelination. Emerging evidence highlights their critical involvement in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), frontotemporal dementia-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS) spectrum, Huntington's disease (HD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Underlying mechanisms include the regulation of gene transcription and RNA splicing, as well as their implication in various signaling pathways related to oxidative stress responses, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, vacuole degeneration, abnormal protein accumulation and neurotransmission. The targeting of PRMTs is a therapeutic approach initially developed against various forms of cancer but currently presents a novel potential strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the accumulating evidence on the role of PRMTs in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, enlightening their pathogenesis and stimulating future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthalia Angelopoulou
- 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.A.); (E.-S.P.)
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstratios-Stylianos Pyrgelis
- 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.A.); (E.-S.P.)
| | - Chetana Ahire
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, Changsari, Kamrup 781101, Assam, India; (C.A.); (P.S.)
| | - Prachi Suman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, Changsari, Kamrup 781101, Assam, India; (C.A.); (P.S.)
| | - Awanish Mishra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, Changsari, Kamrup 781101, Assam, India; (C.A.); (P.S.)
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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9
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Guo G, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li T. Sequence variations of phase-separating proteins and resources for studying biomolecular condensates. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1119-1132. [PMID: 37464880 PMCID: PMC10423696 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase separation (PS) is an important mechanism underlying the formation of biomolecular condensates. Physiological condensates are associated with numerous biological processes, such as transcription, immunity, signaling, and synaptic transmission. Changes in particular amino acids or segments can disturb the protein's phase behavior and interactions with other biomolecules in condensates. It is thus presumed that variations in the phase-separating-prone domains can significantly impact the properties and functions of condensates. The dysfunction of condensates contributes to a number of pathological processes. Pharmacological perturbation of these condensates is proposed as a promising way to restore physiological states. In this review, we characterize the variations observed in PS proteins that lead to aberrant biomolecular compartmentalization. We also showcase recent advancements in bioinformatics of membraneless organelles (MLOs), focusing on available databases useful for screening PS proteins and describing endogenous condensates, guiding researchers to seek the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaigai Guo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
- Key Laboratory for NeuroscienceMinistry of Education/National Health Commission of ChinaPeking UniversityBeijing100191China
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10
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Santarelli S, Londero C, Soldano A, Candelaresi C, Todeschini L, Vernizzi L, Bellosta P. Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases induced by proteinopathies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1082047. [PMID: 37274187 PMCID: PMC10232775 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1082047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinopathies are a large group of neurodegenerative diseases caused by both genetic and sporadic mutations in particular genes which can lead to alterations of the protein structure and to the formation of aggregates, especially toxic for neurons. Autophagy is a key mechanism for clearing those aggregates and its function has been strongly associated with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), hence mutations in both pathways have been associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those induced by protein misfolding and accumulation of aggregates. Many crucial discoveries regarding the molecular and cellular events underlying the role of autophagy in these diseases have come from studies using Drosophila models. Indeed, despite the physiological and morphological differences between the fly and the human brain, most of the biochemical and molecular aspects regulating protein homeostasis, including autophagy, are conserved between the two species.In this review, we will provide an overview of the most common neurodegenerative proteinopathies, which include PolyQ diseases (Huntington's disease, Spinocerebellar ataxia 1, 2, and 3), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (C9orf72, SOD1, TDP-43, FUS), Alzheimer's disease (APP, Tau) Parkinson's disease (a-syn, parkin and PINK1, LRRK2) and prion diseases, highlighting the studies using Drosophila that have contributed to understanding the conserved mechanisms and elucidating the role of autophagy in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Santarelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Londero
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessia Soldano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlotta Candelaresi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Leonardo Todeschini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Luisa Vernizzi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Yoo YJ, Cho G, Kim D, Kim Y, Yun N, Oh YJ. Asymmetric dimethylation of AMPKα1 by PRMT6 contributes to the formation of phase-separated puncta. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 666:92-100. [PMID: 37178510 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric serine/threonine kinase comprising α, β, and γ subunits. AMPK is involved in intracellular energy metabolism and functions as a switch that turns various biological pathways in eukaryotes on and off. Several post-translational modifications regulating AMPK function have been demonstrated, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination; however, arginine methylation has not been reported in AMPKα1. We investigated whether arginine methylation occurs in AMPKα1. Screening experiments revealed arginine methylation of AMPKα1 mediated by protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6). In vitro methylation and co-immunoprecipitation assays indicated that PRMT6 can directly interact with and methylate AMPKα1 without involvement of other intracellular components. In vitro methylation assays with truncated and point mutants of AMPKα1 revealed that Arg403 is the residue methylated by PRMT6. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the number of AMPKα1 puncta was enhanced in saponin-permeabilized cells when AMPKα1 was co-expressed with PRMT6, suggesting that PRMT6-mediated methylation of AMPKα1 at Arg403 alters the physiological characteristics of AMPKα1 and may lead to liquid-liquid phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ju Yoo
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Giseong Cho
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Dana Kim
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Yoonkyung Kim
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Nuri Yun
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; GNTPharma Science and Technology Center for Health, Incheon, 21983, South Korea.
| | - Young J Oh
- Department of Systems Biology Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; GNTPharma Science and Technology Center for Health, Incheon, 21983, South Korea.
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12
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Nam J, Gwon Y. Neuronal biomolecular condensates and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1145420. [PMID: 37065458 PMCID: PMC10102667 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1145420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular organizations where functionally related proteins and nucleic acids are assembled through liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing them to develop on a larger scale without a membrane. However, biomolecular condensates are highly vulnerable to disruptions from genetic risks and various factors inside and outside the cell and are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the classical view of the nucleation-polymerization process that triggers the protein aggregation from the misfolded seed, the pathologic transition of biomolecular condensates can also promote the aggregation of proteins found in the deposits of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that several protein or protein-RNA complexes located in the synapse and along the neuronal process are neuron-specific condensates displaying liquid-like properties. As their compositional and functional modifications play a crucial role in the context of neurodegeneration, further research is needed to fully understand the role of neuronal biomolecular condensates. In this article, we will discuss recent findings that explore the pivotal role of biomolecular condensates in the development of neuronal defects and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngdae Gwon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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13
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Li Y, Chen T, You K, Peng T, Li T. Sequence determinants and solution conditions underlying liquid to solid phase transition. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C236-C246. [PMID: 36503242 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00280.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Life consists of numberless functional biomolecules that exist in various states. Besides well-dissolved phases, biomolecules especially proteins and nucleic acids can form liquid droplets through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Stronger interactions promote a solid-like state of biomolecular condensates, which are also formerly referred to as detergent-insoluble aggregates. Solid-like condensates exist in vivo physiologically and pathologically, and their formation has not been fully understood. Recently, more and more research has proven that liquid to solid phase transition (LST) is an essential way to form solid condensates. In this review, we summarized the regions in the sequence that have different impacts on phase transition and emphasized that the LST is affected by its sequence characteristics. Moreover, increasing evidence unveiled that LST is affected by various solution conditions. We discussed solution conditions like protein concentration, pH, ATP, ions, and small molecules in a solution. Methods have been established to study these solid phase components. Here, we summarized low-throughput experimental techniques and high-throughput omics methods in the study of the LST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Taoyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kaiqing You
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Happy Life Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Peng
- Happy Life Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
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14
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Ahmad A, Uversky VN, Khan RH. Aberrant liquid-liquid phase separation and amyloid aggregation of proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 220:703-720. [PMID: 35998851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence has shown that the processes of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) or liquid-liquid phase transitions (LLPTs) are a crucial and prevalent phenomenon that underlies the biogenesis of numerous membrane-less organelles (MLOs) and biomolecular condensates within the cells. Findings show that processes associated with LLPS play an essential role in physiology and disease. In this review, we discuss the physical and biomolecular factors that contribute to the development of LLPS, the associated functions, as well as their consequences for cell physiology and neurological disorders. Additionally, the finding of mis-regulated proteins, which have long been linked to aggregates in neuropathology, are also known to induce LLPS/LLPTs, prompting a lot of interest in understanding the connection between aberrant phase separation and disorder conditions. Moreover, the methods used in recent and ongoing studies in this field are also explored, as is the possibility that these findings will encourage new lines of inquiry into the molecular causes of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azeem Ahmad
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P. 202002, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy pereulok, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141700, Russia.
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P. 202002, India.
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15
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White A, McGlone A, Gomez-Pastor R. Protein Kinase CK2 and Its Potential Role as a Therapeutic Target in Huntington's Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1979. [PMID: 36009526 PMCID: PMC9406209 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene, for which no disease modifying therapies are currently available. Much of the recent research has focused on developing therapies to directly lower HTT expression, and while promising, these therapies have presented several challenges regarding administration and efficacy. Another promising therapeutic approach is the modulation of HTT post-translational modifications (PTMs) that are dysregulated in disease and have shown to play a key role in HTT toxicity. Among all PTMs, modulation of HTT phosphorylation has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic option due to the possibility of orally administering specific kinase effectors. One of the kinases described to participate in HTT phosphorylation is Protein Kinase CK2. CK2 has recently emerged as a target for the treatment of several neurological and psychiatric disorders, although its role in HD remains controversial. While pharmacological studies in vitro inhibiting CK2 resulted in reduced HTT phosphorylation and increased toxicity, genetic approaches in mouse models of HD have provided beneficial effects. In this review we discuss potential therapeutic approaches related to the manipulation of HTT-PTMs with special emphasis on the role of CK2 as a therapeutic target in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rocio Gomez-Pastor
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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16
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Gogia N, Ni L, Olmos V, Haidery F, Luttik K, Lim J. Exploring the Role of Posttranslational Modifications in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:931301. [PMID: 35726299 PMCID: PMC9206542 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.931301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked adult-onset progressive neuromuscular disease that affects the spinal and bulbar motor neurons and skeletal muscles. SBMA is caused by expansion of polymorphic CAG trinucleotide repeats in the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene, resulting in expanded glutamine tract in the AR protein. Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion renders the mutant AR protein toxic, resulting in the formation of mutant protein aggregates and cell death. This classifies SBMA as one of the nine known polyQ diseases. Like other polyQ disorders, the expansion of the polyQ tract in the AR protein is the main genetic cause of the disease; however, multiple other mechanisms besides the polyQ tract expansion also contribute to the SBMA disease pathophysiology. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation are a category of mechanisms by which the functionality of AR has been found to be significantly modulated and can alter the neurotoxicity of SBMA. This review summarizes the different PTMs and their effects in regulating the AR function and discusses their pathogenic or protective roles in context of SBMA. This review also includes the therapeutic approaches that target the PTMs of AR in an effort to reduce the mutant AR-mediated toxicity in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Gogia
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Luhan Ni
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Victor Olmos
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Fatema Haidery
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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