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Tandon S, Aggarwal P, Sarkar S. Polyglutamine disorders: Pathogenesis and potential drug interventions. Life Sci 2024; 344:122562. [PMID: 38492921 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Polyglutamine/poly(Q) diseases are a group nine hereditary neurodegenerative disorders caused due to abnormally expanded stretches of CAG trinucleotide in functionally distinct genes. All human poly(Q) diseases are characterized by the formation of microscopically discernable poly(Q) positive aggregates, the inclusion bodies. These toxic inclusion bodies are responsible for the impairment of several cellular pathways such as autophagy, transcription, cell death, etc., that culminate in disease manifestation. Although, these diseases remain largely without treatment, extensive research has generated mounting evidences that various events of poly(Q) pathogenesis can be developed as potential drug targets. The present review article briefly discusses the key events of disease pathogenesis, model system-based investigations that support the development of effective therapeutic interventions against pathogenesis of human poly(Q) disorders, and a comprehensive list of pharmacological and bioactive compounds that have been experimentally shown to alleviate poly(Q)-mediated neurotoxicity. Interestingly, due to the common cause of pathogenesis, all poly(Q) diseases share etiology, thus, findings from one disease can be potentially extrapolated to other poly(Q) diseases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Tandon
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Prerna Aggarwal
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Surajit Sarkar
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India.
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2
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Henriques C, Lopes MM, Silva AC, Lobo DD, Badin RA, Hantraye P, Pereira de Almeida L, Nobre RJ. Viral-based animal models in polyglutamine disorders. Brain 2024; 147:1166-1189. [PMID: 38284949 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine disorders are a complex group of incurable neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion in the trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine tract of the affected gene. To better understand these disorders, our dependence on animal models persists, primarily relying on transgenic models. In an effort to complement and deepen our knowledge, researchers have also developed animal models of polyglutamine disorders employing viral vectors. Viral vectors have been extensively used to deliver genes to the brain, not only for therapeutic purposes but also for the development of animal models, given their remarkable flexibility. In a time- and cost-effective manner, it is possible to use different transgenes, at varying doses, in diverse targeted tissues, at different ages, and in different species, to recreate polyglutamine pathology. This paper aims to showcase the utility of viral vectors in disease modelling, share essential considerations for developing animal models with viral vectors, and provide a comprehensive review of existing viral-based animal models for polyglutamine disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Henriques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana D Lobo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Université Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Philippe Hantraye
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Université Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
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Nakayama K, Nemoto K, Arai T. Nucleus accumbens degeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2: a preliminary study. Psychogeriatrics 2024; 24:345-354. [PMID: 38243757 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.13080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) exhibits mainly cerebellar and oculomotor dysfunctions but also, frequently, cognitive impairment and neuropsychological symptoms. The mechanism of the progression of SCA2 remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal structural changes in the brains of SCA2 patients based on atrophy rate. METHODS The OpenNeuro Dataset ds001378 was used. It comprises the demographic data and two magnetic resonance images each of nine SCA2 patients and 16 healthy controls. All structural images were preprocessed using FreeSurfer software, and each region's bilateral volume was summed. Atrophy rates were calculated based on the concept of symmetrised percent change and compared between SCA2 patients and healthy controls using non-parametric statistics. As post hoc analysis, correlation analysis was performed between infratentorial volume ratio and the accumbens area atrophy rates in SCA2 patients. RESULTS There were no significant differences between groups for age, gender, and the time between scans. Statistical analysis indicated a significantly larger atrophy rate of the accumbens area in SCA2 patients than in controls. Additionally, the infratentorial volume ratio and accumbens area atrophy rates showed moderate negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS This study found that nucleus accumbens (NAc) atrophy was significantly accelerated in SCA2 patients. Anatomically, the NAc is densely connected with infratentorial brain regions, so it is reasonable to posit that degeneration propagates from the cerebellum and brainstem to the NAc and other supratentorial areas. Functionally, the NAc is essential for appropriate behaviour, so NAc degeneration might contribute to neuropsychological symptoms in SCA2 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Nakayama
- Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Nemoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tetsuaki Arai
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Conceição A, Koppenol R, Nóbrega C. On the role of RNA binding proteins in polyglutamine diseases: from pathogenesis to therapeutics. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2695-2696. [PMID: 37449627 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- André Conceição
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro; PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rebekah Koppenol
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro; PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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Gamage YI, Pan J. Elucidating the Influence of Lipid Composition on Bilayer Perturbations Induced by the N-terminal Region of the Huntingtin Protein. BIOPHYSICA 2023; 3:582-597. [PMID: 38737720 PMCID: PMC11087071 DOI: 10.3390/biophysica3040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the membrane interactions of the N-terminal 17 residues of the huntingtin protein (HttN) is essential for unraveling its role in cellular processes and its impact on huntingtin misfolding. In this study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine the effects of lipid specificity in mediating bilayer perturbations induced by HttN. Across various lipid environments, the peptide consistently induced bilayer disruptions in the form of holes. Notably, our results unveiled that cholesterol enhanced bilayer perturbation induced by HttN, while phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids suppressed hole formation. Furthermore, anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin lipids, along with cholesterol at high concentrations, promoted the formation of double-bilayer patches. This unique structure suggests that the synergy among HttN, anionic lipids, and cholesterol can enhance bilayer fusion, potentially by facilitating lipid intermixing between adjacent bilayers. Additionally, our AFM-based force spectroscopy revealed that HttN enhanced the mechanical stability of lipid bilayers, as evidenced by an elevated bilayer puncture force. These findings illuminate the complex interplay between HttN and lipid membranes and provide useful insights into the role of lipid composition in modulating membrane interactions with the huntingtin protein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianjun Pan
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620
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Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K, Snell RG. From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13021. [PMID: 37629202 PMCID: PMC10455900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-coding (CAG) trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD behaves as a highly penetrant dominant disorder likely acting through a toxic gain of function by the mutant huntingtin protein. Widespread cellular degeneration of the medium spiny neurons of the caudate nucleus and putamen are responsible for the onset of symptomology that encompasses motor, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities. Over the past 150 years of HD research since George Huntington published his description, a plethora of pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed with key themes including excitotoxicity, dopaminergic imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic defects, disruption of proteostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Despite the identification and characterisation of the causative gene and mutation and significant advances in our understanding of the cellular pathology in recent years, a disease-modifying intervention has not yet been clinically approved. This review includes an overview of Huntington's disease, from its genetic aetiology to clinical presentation and its pathogenic manifestation. An updated view of molecular mechanisms and the latest therapeutic developments will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (R.R.H.); (K.L.); (R.G.S.)
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Estevam B, Matos CA, Nóbrega C. PolyQ Database-an integrated database on polyglutamine diseases. Database (Oxford) 2023; 2023:baad060. [PMID: 37599593 PMCID: PMC10440501 DOI: 10.1093/database/baad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are neurodegenerative disorders caused by abnormally expanded Cytosine, Adenine, Guanine (CAG) triplet repeat sequences in the coding region of otherwise unrelated genes. Until now, nine different polyQ diseases have been described: Huntington's disease, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and six types of spinocerebellar ataxias-1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 17. The pathogenic expansion translates into an aberrant tract of glutamines in the encoded proteins, compromising several cellular functions and biological processes. There is currently no cure available for the progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by the ensuing cytotoxic alterations. Although each disease is considered rare, polyQ diseases constitute the largest group of monogenic neurodegenerative disorders. Information about these disorders is scattered among several books, articles and general databases, hindering exploration by students and researchers, but also by patients and their families. Therefore, we aimed to develop a free online database to fill this gap, by centralizing relevant available information. The PolyQ Database is a platform that focuses on all nine polyQ diseases and offers information about topics that are pertinent for scientists, clinicians and the general public, including epidemiology, the characteristics of the causative genes and the codified proteins, the pathophysiology of the diseases and the main clinical manifestations. The database is available at https://polyq.pt/, and it is the first of its kind, focusing exclusively on this group of rare diseases. The database was conceived to be continuously updated and allow incorporation and dissemination of the latest information on polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Estevam
- ABC-Ri, Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Carlos A Matos
- ABC-Ri, Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- ABC-Ri, Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
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Chu S, Xie X, Payan C, Stochaj U. Valosin containing protein (VCP): initiator, modifier, and potential drug target for neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:52. [PMID: 37545006 PMCID: PMC10405438 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00639-y] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The AAA+ ATPase valosin containing protein (VCP) is essential for cell and organ homeostasis, especially in cells of the nervous system. As part of a large network, VCP collaborates with many cofactors to ensure proteostasis under normal, stress, and disease conditions. A large number of mutations have revealed the importance of VCP for human health. In particular, VCP facilitates the dismantling of protein aggregates and the removal of dysfunctional organelles. These are critical events to prevent malfunction of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. In line with this idea, VCP mutants are linked to the onset and progression of neurodegeneration and other diseases. The intricate molecular mechanisms that connect VCP mutations to distinct brain pathologies continue to be uncovered. Emerging evidence supports the model that VCP controls cellular functions on multiple levels and in a cell type specific fashion. Accordingly, VCP mutants derail cellular homeostasis through several mechanisms that can instigate disease. Our review focuses on the association between VCP malfunction and neurodegeneration. We discuss the latest insights in the field, emphasize open questions, and speculate on the potential of VCP as a drug target for some of the most devastating forms of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Chu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, HG3 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xinyi Xie
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, HG3 1Y6, Canada
| | - Carla Payan
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, HG3 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ursula Stochaj
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, HG3 1Y6, Canada.
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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Yap KH, Azmin S, Makpol S, Damanhuri HA, Mustapha M, Hamzah JC, Ibrahim NM. Profiling neuroprotective potential of trehalose in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1179-1185. [PMID: 36453391 PMCID: PMC9838167 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Trehalose, a unique nonreducing crystalline disaccharide, is a potential disease-modifying treatment for neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein misfolding and aggregation due to aging, intrinsic mutations, or autophagy dysregulation. This systematic review summarizes the effects of trehalose on its underlying mechanisms in animal models of selected neurodegenerative disorders (tau pathology, synucleinopathy, polyglutamine tract, and motor neuron diseases). All animal studies on neurodegenerative diseases treated with trehalose published in Medline (accessed via EBSCOhost) and Scopus were considered. Of the 2259 studies screened, 29 met the eligibility criteria. According to the SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experiment (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool, we reported 22 out of 29 studies with a high risk of bias. The present findings support the purported role of trehalose in autophagic flux and protein refolding. This review identified several other lesser-known pathways, including modifying amyloid precursor protein processing, inhibition of reactive gliosis, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, activation of growth factors, upregulation of the downstream antioxidant signaling pathway, and protection against mitochondrial defects. The absence of adverse events and improvements in the outcome parameters were observed in some studies, which supports the transition to human clinical trials. It is possible to conclude that trehalose exerts its neuroprotective effects through both direct and indirect pathways. However, heterogeneous methodologies and outcome measures across the studies rendered it impossible to derive a definitive conclusion. Translational studies on trehalose would need to clarify three important questions: 1) bioavailability with oral administration, 2) optimal time window to confer neuroprotective benefits, and 3) optimal dosage to confer neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Hui Yap
- Department of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shahrul Azmin
- Department of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Suzana Makpol
- Department of Biochemistry, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Muzaimi Mustapha
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Correia JS, Duarte-Silva S, Salgado AJ, Maciel P. Cell-based therapeutic strategies for treatment of spinocerebellar ataxias: an update. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1203-1212. [PMID: 36453395 PMCID: PMC9838137 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355981] [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] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias are heritable neurodegenerative diseases caused by a cytosine-adenine-guanine expansion, which encodes a long glutamine tract (polyglutamine) in the respective wild-type protein causing misfolding and protein aggregation. Clinical features of polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias include neuronal aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased proteasomal activity, and autophagy impairment. Mutant polyglutamine protein aggregates accumulate within neurons and cause neural dysfunction and death in specific regions of the central nervous system. Spinocerebellar ataxias are mostly characterized by progressive ataxia, speech and swallowing problems, loss of coordination and gait deficits. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to ameliorate disease symptoms in patients, yet no cure is available. Previous studies have been proposing the use of stem cells as promising tools for central nervous system tissue regeneration. So far, pre-clinical trials have shown improvement in various models of neurodegenerative diseases following stem cell transplantation, including animal models of spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, and 3. However, contrasting results can be found in the literature, depending on the animal model, cell type, and route of administration used. Nonetheless, clinical trials using cellular implants into degenerated brain regions have already been applied, with the expectation that these cells would be able to differentiate into the specific neuronal subtypes and re-populate these regions, reconstructing the affected neural network. Meanwhile, the question of how feasible it is to continue such treatments remains unanswered, with long-lasting effects being still unknown. To establish the value of these advanced therapeutic tools, it is important to predict the actions of the transplanted cells as well as to understand which cell type can induce the best outcomes for each disease. Further studies are needed to determine the best route of administration, without neglecting the possible risks of repetitive transplantation that these approaches so far appear to demand. Despite the challenges ahead of us, cell-transplantation therapies are reported to have transient but beneficial outcomes in spinocerebellar ataxias, which encourages efforts towards their improvement in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Sofia Correia
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António José Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal,Correspondence to: Patrícia Maciel, .
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Miller SC, Wegrzynowicz AK, Cole SJ, Hayward RE, Ganser SJ, Hines JK. Hsp40/JDP Requirements for the Propagation of Synthetic Yeast Prions. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102160. [PMID: 36298715 PMCID: PMC9611480 DOI: 10.3390/v14102160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeast prions are protein-based transmissible elements, most of which are amyloids. The chaperone protein network in yeast is inexorably linked to the spreading of prions during cell division by fragmentation of amyloid prion aggregates. Specifically, the core “prion fragmentation machinery” includes the proteins Hsp104, Hsp70 and the Hsp40/J-domain protein (JDP) Sis1. Numerous novel amyloid-forming proteins have been created and examined in the yeast system and occasionally these amyloids are also capable of continuous Hsp104-dependent propagation in cell populations, forming synthetic prions. However, additional chaperone requirements, if any, have not been determined. Here, we report the first instances of a JDP-Hsp70 system requirement for the propagation of synthetic prions. We utilized constructs from a system of engineered prions with prion-forming domains (PrDs) consisting of a polyQ stretch interrupted by a single heterologous amino acid interspersed every fifth residue. These “polyQX” PrDs are fused to the MC domains of Sup35, creating chimeric proteins of which a subset forms synthetic prions in yeast. For four of these prions, we show that SIS1 repression causes prion loss in a manner consistent with Sis1′s known role in prion fragmentation. PolyQX prions were sensitive to Sis1 expression levels to differing degrees, congruent with the variability observed among native prions. Our results expand the scope known Sis1 functionality, demonstrating that Sis1 acts on amyloids broadly, rather than through specific protein–protein interactions with individual yeast prion-forming proteins.
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Transcription factor EB-mediated mesenchymal stem cell therapy induces autophagy and alleviates spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 defects in neuronal cells model. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:622. [PMID: 35851059 PMCID: PMC9293975 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05085-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Defects in ataxin-3 proteins and CAG repeat expansions in its coding gene ATXN3 cause Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) polyglutamine neurodegenerative disease. The mutant proteins aggregate as inclusion bodies in cells and compete with wild-type ataxin-3, which leads to neuronal dysfunction or death and impairs Beclin1-mediated autophagy. It has been reported that Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reliably treat several neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we used a Transcription Factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation-mediated MSCs co-culture approach to reconstitute autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, and reduce SCA3-like behaviors in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neuron cells models. Our iPSCs model showed enhanced expression of autophagy proteins, attenuated the expression and toxic effects of mutant ataxin-3 on neurons, and alleviated the effects of ataxin-3 on autophagy. Therefore, MSCs are associated with autophagy-inducing therapy and compared to animal models, our MSCs co-culture could be used as a novel and potential therapeutic approach to study SCA3 disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Pawar N, Manayath GJ, Verghese S, Chandrakanth P, Shah V, Raut A, Gaikwad S, Patil PA, Daswani M, Meenakshi R, Narendran K, Narendran V. Potpourri of retinopathies in rare eye disease - A case series. Indian J Ophthalmol 2022; 70:2605-2609. [PMID: 35791168 PMCID: PMC9426132 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_3002_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This case series describes the ocular and retinal manifestations of rare eye diseases in systemic syndromes. This observational case series consists of five patients with varied ophthalmic manifestations and documentation of imaging in rare pediatric and adult retinopathies. Two patients had Kearns Sayre syndrome (KSS) based on the classical triad of external ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinopathy, and onset before 20 years of age. In one patient of KSS, the mitochondrial retinopathy was seen in an asymmetric pattern, and the second patient presented with KSS after being mis-diagnosed as myasthenia gravis elsewhere. A case of Senior Loken syndrome in pediatric age is described in this series with varied ophthalmic manifestations ranging from retinitis pigmentosa to orbital abscess. This series also enlightens features of Hallervorden Spatz syndrome presenting with bull's eye maculopathy and a case of spino-cerebellar ataxia type 7 presenting with pigmentary retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Pawar
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Squint Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Tirunelveli, India
| | - George J Manayath
- Department of Retina & Vitreous Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - Shishir Verghese
- Department of Retina & Vitreous Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India,Correspondence to: Dr. Shishir Verghese, Retina Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India. E-mail:
| | - Prithvi Chandrakanth
- Department of Retina & Vitreous Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - Virna Shah
- Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - Ashwini Raut
- Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | | | - Parth A Patil
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - Mansha Daswani
- Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - R Meenakshi
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Squint Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Tirunelveli, India
| | - Kalpana Narendran
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
| | - Venkatapathy Narendran
- Department of Retina & Vitreous Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India
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14
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Sowa AS, Haas E, Hübener-Schmid J, Lorentz A. Ataxin-3, The Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Neurodegenerative Disorder Protein, Affects Mast Cell Functions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:870966. [PMID: 35558088 PMCID: PMC9086395 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.870966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of neuronal matter due to the expansion of the CAG repeat in the ATXN3/MJD1 gene and subsequent ataxin-3 protein. Although the underlying pathogenic protein expansion has been known for more than 20 years, the complexity of its effects is still under exploration. The ataxin-3 protein in its expanded form is known to aggregate and disrupt cellular processes in neuronal tissue but the role of the protein on populations of immune cells is unknown. Recently, mast cells have emerged as potential key players in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we examined the mast cell-related effects of ataxin-3 expansion in the brain tissues of 304Q ataxin-3 knock-in mice and SCA3 patients. We also established cultures of mast cells from the 304Q knock-in mice and examined the effects of 304Q ataxin-3 knock-in on the immune responses of these cells and on markers involved in mast cell growth, development and function. Specifically, our results point to a role for expanded ataxin-3 in suppression of mast cell marker CD117/c-Kit, pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and NF-κB inhibitor IκBα along with an increased expression of the granulocyte-attracting chemokine CXCL1. These results are the beginning of a more holistic understanding of ataxin-3 and could point to the development of novel therapeutic targets which act on inflammation to mitigate symptoms of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Sowa
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Eva Haas
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Axel Lorentz
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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15
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Trujillo-Del Río C, Tortajada-Pérez J, Gómez-Escribano AP, Casterá F, Peiró C, Millán JM, Herrero MJ, Vázquez-Manrique RP. Metformin to treat Huntington disease: a pleiotropic drug against a multi-system disorder. Mech Ageing Dev 2022; 204:111670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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16
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Huntingtin and Its Role in Mechanisms of RNA-Mediated Toxicity. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070487. [PMID: 34357961 PMCID: PMC8310054 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by a CAG-repeat expansion mutation in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. It is characterized by progressive psychiatric and neurological symptoms in combination with a progressive movement disorder. Despite the ubiquitous expression of HTT, pathological changes occur quite selectively in the central nervous system. Since the discovery of HD more than 150 years ago, a lot of research on molecular mechanisms contributing to neurotoxicity has remained the focal point. While traditionally, the protein encoded by the HTT gene remained the cynosure for researchers and was extensively reviewed elsewhere, several studies in the last few years clearly indicated the contribution of the mutant RNA transcript to cellular dysfunction as well. In this review, we outline recent studies on RNA-mediated molecular mechanisms that are linked to cellular dysfunction in HD models. These mechanisms include mis-splicing, aberrant translation, deregulation of the miRNA machinery, deregulated RNA transport and abnormal regulation of mitochondrial RNA. Furthermore, we summarize recent therapeutical approaches targeting the mutant HTT transcript. While currently available treatments are of a palliative nature only and do not halt the disease progression, recent clinical studies provide hope that these novel RNA-targeting strategies will lead to better therapeutic approaches.
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17
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Li J, Yu J, Xue W, Huang H, Yan L, Sang F, An S, Zhang J, Wang M, Zhang J, Li H, Cui X, He J, Hu Y. The engineered expression of secreted HSPB5-Fc in CHO cells exhibits cytoprotection in vitro. BMC Biotechnol 2021; 21:39. [PMID: 34126963 PMCID: PMC8204567 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-021-00700-y] [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: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HSPB5 is an ATP-independent molecular chaperone that is induced by heat shock or other proteotoxic stresses. HSPB5 is cytoprotective against stress both intracellularly and extracellularly. It acts as a potential therapeutic candidate in ischemia-reperfusion and neurodegenerative diseases. Results In this paper, we constructed a recombinant plasmid that expresses and extracellularly secrets a HSPB5-Fc fusion protein (sHSPB5-Fc) at 0.42 μg/ml in CHO-K1 cells. This sHSPB5-Fc protein contains a Fc-tag at the C-terminal extension of HSPB5, facilitating protein-affinity purification. Our study shows that sHSPB5-Fc inhibits heat-induced aggregation of citrate synthase in a time and dose dependent manner in vitro. Administration of sHSPB5-Fc protects lens epithelial cells against cisplatin- or UVB-induced cell apoptosis. It also decreases GFP-Httex1-Q74 insolubility, and reduces the size and cytotoxicity of GFP-Httex1-Q74 aggregates in PC-12 cells. Conclusion This recombinant sHSPB5-Fc exhibits chaperone activity to protect cells against proteotoxicity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12896-021-00700-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China.,Kaifeng Key Lab for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jingjing Yu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Wenxian Xue
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Huili Huang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Longjun Yan
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Fan Sang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shuangshuang An
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Mingli Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Hui Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xiukun Cui
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jiang He
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Jin-Ming Road, Kaifeng, 475004, China. .,Kaifeng Key Lab for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China. .,Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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18
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SGTA associates with intracellular aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Brain 2021; 14:59. [PMID: 33757575 PMCID: PMC7986274 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular aggregates are a common pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Aggregates are mainly formed by aberrant disease-specific proteins and are accompanied by accumulation of other aggregate-interacting proteins. Although aggregate-interacting proteins have been considered to modulate the formation of aggregates and to be involved in molecular mechanisms of disease progression, the components of aggregate-interacting proteins remain unknown. In this study, we showed that small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein alfa (SGTA) is an aggregate-interacting protein in neurodegenerative diseases. Immunohistochemistry showed that SGTA interacted with intracellular aggregates in Huntington disease (HD) cell models and neurons of HD model mice. We also revealed that SGTA colocalized with intracellular aggregates in postmortem brains of patients with polyQ diseases including spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)1, SCA2, SCA3, and dentatorubral–pallidoluysian atrophy. In addition, SGTA colocalized with glial cytoplasmic inclusions in the brains of MSA patients, whereas no accumulation of SGTA was observed in neurons of PD and ALS patients. In vitro study showed that SGTA bound to polyQ aggregates through its C-terminal domain and SGTA overexpression reduced intracellular aggregates. These results suggest that SGTA may play a role in the formation of aggregates and may act as potential modifier of molecular pathological mechanisms of polyQ diseases and MSA.
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19
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Kumar MJV, Shah D, Giridharan M, Yadav N, Manjithaya R, Clement JP. Spatiotemporal analysis of soluble aggregates and autophagy markers in the R6/2 mouse model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:96. [PMID: 33420088 PMCID: PMC7794371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78850-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of cellular proteostasis is vital for post-mitotic cells like neurons to sustain normal physiological function and homeostasis, defects in which are established hallmarks of several age-related conditions like AD, PD, HD, and ALS. The Spatio-temporal accumulation of aggregated proteins in the form of inclusion bodies/plaques is one of the major characteristics of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD). Toxic accumulation of HUNTINGTIN (HTT) aggregates in neurons bring about the aberrant phenotypes of HD, including severe motor dysfunction, dementia, and cognitive impairment at the organismal level, in an age-dependent manner. In several cellular and animal models, aggrephagy induction has been shown to clear aggregate-prone proteins like HTT and ameliorate disease pathology by conferring neuroprotection. In this study, we used the mouse model of HD, R6/2, to understand the pathogenicity of mHTT aggregates, primarily focusing on autophagy dysfunction. We report that basal autophagy is not altered in R6/2 mice, whilst being functional at a steady-state level in neurons. Moreover, we tested the efficacy of a known autophagy modulator, Nilotinib (Tasigna™), presently in clinical trials for PD, and HD, in curbing mHTT aggregate growth and their potential clearance, which was ineffective in both inducing autophagy and rescuing the pathological phenotypes in R6/2 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Vijay Kumar
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Devanshi Shah
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Mridhula Giridharan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Niraj Yadav
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Ravi Manjithaya
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
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20
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Association with proteasome determines pathogenic threshold of polyglutamine expansion diseases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 536:95-99. [PMID: 33370719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Expansion of glutamine residue track (polyQ) within soluble protein is responsible for eight autosomal-dominant genetic neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders affect cerebellum, striatum, basal ganglia and other brain regions. Each disease develops when polyQ expansion exceeds a pathogenic threshold (Qth). A pathogenic threshold is unique for each disease but the reasons for variability in Qth within this family of proteins are poorly understood. In the previous publication we proposed that polarity of the regions flanking polyQ track in each protein plays a key role in defining Qth value [1]. To explain the correlation between the polarity of the flanking sequences and Qth we performed quantitative analysis of interactions between polyQ-expanded proteins and proteasome. Based on structural and theoretical modeling, we predict that Qth value is determined by the energy of polar interaction of the flanking regions with the polyQ and proteasome. More polar flanking regions facilitate unfolding of α-helical polyQ conformation adopted inside the proteasome and as a result, increase Qth. Predictions of our model are consistent with Qth values observed in clinic for each of the eight polyQ-expansion disorders. Our results suggest that the agents that can destabilize polyQ α-helical structure may have a beneficial therapeutic effect for treatment of polyQ-expansion disorders.
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21
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Balzano E, Pelliccia F, Giunta S. Genome (in)stability at tandem repeats. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 113:97-112. [PMID: 33109442 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Repeat sequences account for over half of the human genome and represent a significant source of variation that underlies physiological and pathological states. Yet, their study has been hindered due to limitations in short-reads sequencing technology and difficulties in assembly. A important category of repetitive DNA in the human genome is comprised of tandem repeats (TRs), where repetitive units are arranged in a head-to-tail pattern. Compared to other regions of the genome, TRs carry between 10 and 10,000 fold higher mutation rate. There are several mutagenic mechanisms that can give rise to this propensity toward instability, but their precise contribution remains speculative. Given the high degree of homology between these sequences and their arrangement in tandem, once damaged, TRs have an intrinsic propensity to undergo aberrant recombination with non-allelic exchange and generate harmful rearrangements that may undermine the stability of the entire genome. The dynamic mutagenesis at TRs has been found to underlie individual polymorphism associated with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders, as well as complex genetic diseases like cancer and diabetes. Here, we review our current understanding of the surveillance and repair mechanisms operating within these regions, and we describe how alterations in these protective processes can readily trigger mutational signatures found at TRs, ultimately resulting in the pathological correlation between TRs instability and human diseases. Finally, we provide a viewpoint to counter the detrimental effects that TRs pose in light of their selection and conservation, as important drivers of human evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Balzano
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Franca Pelliccia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Simona Giunta
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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22
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Santana MM, Paixão S, Cunha-Santos J, Silva TP, Trevino-Garcia A, Gaspar LS, Nóbrega C, Nobre RJ, Cavadas C, Greif H, Pereira de Almeida L. Trehalose alleviates the phenotype of Machado-Joseph disease mouse models. J Transl Med 2020; 18:161. [PMID: 32272938 PMCID: PMC7144062 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02302-2] [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: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Machado–Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, is the most common of the dominantly inherited ataxias worldwide and is characterized by mutant ataxin-3 aggregation and neuronal degeneration. There is no treatment available to block or delay disease progression. In this work we investigated whether trehalose, a natural occurring disaccharide widely used in food and cosmetic industry, would rescue biochemical, behavioral and neuropathological features of an in vitro and of a severe MJD transgenic mouse model. Methods Two MJD animal models, a lentiviral based and a transgenic model, were orally treated with 2% trehalose solution for a period of 4 and 30 weeks, respectively. Motor behavior (rotarod, grip strength and footprint patterns) was evaluated at different time points and neuropathological features were evaluated upon in-life phase termination. Results Trehalose-treated MJD mice equilibrated for a longer time in the rotarod apparatus and exhibited an improvement of ataxic gait in footprint analysis. Trehalose-mediated improvements in motor behaviour were associated with a reduction of the MJD-associated neuropathology, as MJD transgenic mice treated with trehalose presented preservation of cerebellar layers thickness and a decrease in the size of ataxin-3 aggregates in Purkinje cells. In agreement, an improvement of neuropathological features was also observed in the full length lentiviral-based mouse model of MJD submitted to 2% trehalose treatment. Conclusions The present study suggests trehalose as a safety pharmacological strategy to counteract MJD-associated behavioural and neuropathological impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda M Santana
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,IIIUC - Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Paixão
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Janete Cunha-Santos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pereira Silva
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Allyson Trevino-Garcia
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Laetitia S Gaspar
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,IIIUC - Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,IIIUC - Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Cavadas
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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23
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Yasui H, Matsuzaki Y, Konno A, Hirai H. Global Knockdown of Retinoid-related Orphan Receptor α in Mature Purkinje Cells Reveals Aberrant Cerebellar Phenotypes of Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Neuroscience 2020; 462:328-336. [PMID: 32278059 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Retinoid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) is a transcription factor expressed in a variety of tissues throughout the body. Knockout of RORα leads to various impairments, including defects in cerebellar development, circadian rhythm, lipid metabolism, immune function, and bone development. Previous studies have shown significant reduction of RORα expression in Purkinje cells (PCs) of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 1 and type 3/MJD (Machado-Joseph disease) model mice. However, it remains unclear to what extent the RORα reduction in PCs is involved in the disease pathology. Here, RORα expression was downregulated specifically in mature mouse PCs by intravenous infusion of blood-brain barrier-permeable adeno-associated virus (AAV), expressing a microRNA against RORα (miR-RORα) under the control of the PC-specific L7-6 promoter. The systemic AAV infusion led to extensive transduction of PCs. The RORα knock-down caused degeneration of PCs including disruption of the PC monolayer alignment and dendrite atrophy. In behavioral experiments, mice expressing miR-RORα showed motor learning deficits, and later, overt cerebellar ataxia. Thus, RORα in mature PCs plays pivotal roles in maintenance of PC dendrites and the monolayer alignment, and consequently, motor learning and motor function. Decrease in RORα expression in PCs could be a primary etiology of the cerebellar symptoms in patients with SCA1 and SCA3/MJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Yasui
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yasunori Matsuzaki
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ayumu Konno
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
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Rosselli-Murai LK, Joseph JG, Lopes-Cendes I, Liu AP, Murai MJ. The Machado-Joseph disease-associated form of ataxin-3 impacts dynamics of clathrin-coated pits. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:1252-1259. [PMID: 31970864 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Expansion above a certain threshold in the polyglutamine (polyQ) tract of ataxin-3 is the main cause of neurodegeneration in Machado-Joseph disease. Ataxin-3 contains an N-terminal catalytic domain, called Josephin domain, and a highly aggregation-prone C-terminal domain containing the polyQ tract. Recent work has shown that protein aggregation inhibits clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). However, the effects of polyQ expansion in ataxin-3 on CME have not been investigated. We hypothesize that the expansion of the polyQ tract in ataxin-3 could impact CME. Here, we report that both the wild-type and the expanded ataxin-3 reduce transferrin internalization and expanded ataxin-3 impacts dynamics of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) by reducing CCP nucleation and increasing short-lived abortive CCPs. Since endocytosis plays a central role in regulating receptor uptake and cargo release, our work highlights a potential mechanism linking protein aggregation to cellular dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana K Rosselli-Murai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, 2301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2674 GGB, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Jophin G Joseph
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2674 GGB, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Iscia Lopes-Cendes
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, R. Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil.,The Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, R. Vital Brasil, 251, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-888, Brazil
| | - Allen P Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2674 GGB, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Marcelo J Murai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, 2301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, R. Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil
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25
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Moldovean SN, Chiş V. Molecular Dynamics Simulations Applied to Structural and Dynamical Transitions of the Huntingtin Protein: A Review. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:105-120. [PMID: 31841621 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the recent years, Huntington's disease (HD) has become widely discussed in the scientific literature especially because at the mutant level there are several contradictions regarding the aggregation mechanism. The specific role of the physiological huntingtin protein remains unknown, due to the lack of characterization of its entire crystallographic structure, making the experimental and theoretical research even harder when taking into consideration its involvement in multiple biological functions and its high affinity for different interacting partners. Different types of models, containing fewer (not more than 35 Qs) polyglutamine residues for the WT structure and above 35 Qs for the mutants, were subjected to classical or advanced MD simulations to establish the proteins' structural stability by evaluating their conformational changes. Outside the polyQ tract, there are two other regions of interest (the N17 domain and the polyP rich domain) considered to be essential for the aggregation kinetics at the mutant level. The polymerization process is considered to be dependent on the polyQ length. As the polyQ tract's dimension increases, the structures present more β-sheet conformations. Contrarily, it is also considered that the aggregation stability is not necessarily dependent on the number of Qs, while the initial stage of the aggregation seed might play the decisive role. A general assumption regarding the polyP domain is that it might preserve the polyQ structures soluble by acting as an antagonist for β-sheet formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasile Chiş
- Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Physics, Kogălniceanu 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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26
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Cerebellar dentate nucleus functional connectivity with cerebral cortex in Alzheimer's disease and memory: a seed-based approach. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 89:32-40. [PMID: 32081466 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by specific patterns of gray and white matter damage and cognitive/behavioral manifestations. The cerebellum has also been implicated in the pathophysiology of AD. Because the cerebellum is known to have strong functional connectivity (FC) with associative cerebral cortex regions, it is possible to hypothesize that it is incorporated into intrinsic FC networks relevant to cognitive manifestation of AD. In the present study, the cerebellar dentate nucleus, the largest cerebellar nucleus and the major output channel to the cerebral cortex, was chosen as the region of interest to test potential cerebellocerebral FC alterations and correlations with patients' memory impairment in a group of patients with AD. Compared to controls, patients with AD showed an increase in FC between the dentate nucleus and regions of the lateral temporal lobe. This study demonstrates that lower memory performances in AD may be related to altered FC within specific cerebellocortical functional modules, thus suggesting the cerebellar contribution to AD pathophysiology and typical memory dysfunctions.
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27
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Sung K, Jimenez-Sanchez M. Autophagy in Astrocytes and its Implications in Neurodegeneration. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2605-2621. [PMID: 31931011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a major degradation pathway where double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes deliver cytoplasmic content to the lysosome. Increasing evidence suggests that autophagy dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, misfolded proteins that accumulate in these diseases and constitute a common pathological hallmark are substrates for autophagic degradation. Astrocytes, a major type of glial cells, are emerging as a critical component in most neurodegenerative diseases. This review will summarize the recent efforts to investigate the role that autophagy plays in astrocytes in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. While the field has mostly focused on the implications of autophagy in neurons, autophagy may also be involved in the clearance of disease-related proteins in astrocytes as well as in maintaining astrocyte function, which could impact the cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous contribution of astrocytes to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Sung
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Maria Jimenez-Sanchez
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK.
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28
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Da Silva JD, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. From Pathogenesis to Novel Therapeutics for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: Evading Potholes on the Way to Translation. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1009-1031. [PMID: 31691128 PMCID: PMC6985322 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ATXN3 gene. In spite of the identification of a clear monogenic cause 25 years ago, the pathological process still puzzles researchers, impairing prospects for an effective therapy. Here, we propose the disruption of protein homeostasis as the hub of SCA3 pathogenesis, being the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways that are deregulated in SCA3 downstream consequences of the misfolding and aggregation of ATXN3. Moreover, we attempt to provide a realistic perspective on how the translational/clinical research in SCA3 should evolve. This was based on molecular findings, clinical and epidemiological characteristics, studies of proposed treatments in other conditions, and how that information is essential for their (re-)application in SCA3. This review thus aims i) to critically evaluate the current state of research on SCA3, from fundamental to translational and clinical perspectives; ii) to bring up the current key questions that remain unanswered in this disorder; and iii) to provide a frame on how those answers should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Diogo Da Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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29
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Park JY, Wy SY, Joo K, Woo SJ. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 with RP1L1-negative occult macular dystrophy as retinal manifestation. Ophthalmic Genet 2019; 40:282-285. [DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2019.1633548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Young Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Seo Young Wy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Kwangsic Joo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Se Joon Woo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
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30
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Buijsen RAM, Toonen LJA, Gardiner SL, van Roon-Mom WMC. Genetics, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Progress in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:263-286. [PMID: 30607747 PMCID: PMC6554265 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-00696-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections. All ADCAs have progressive ataxia as their main clinical feature, frequently accompanied by dysarthria and oculomotor deficits. The most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are 6 polyglutamine (polyQ) SCAs. These diseases are all caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of a gene. Currently, no curative treatment is available for any of the polyQ SCAs, but increasing knowledge on the genetics and the pathological mechanisms of these polyQ SCAs has provided promising therapeutic targets to potentially slow disease progression. Potential treatments can be divided into pharmacological and gene therapies that target the toxic downstream effects, gene therapies that target the polyQ SCA genes, and stem cell replacement therapies. Here, we will provide a review on the genetics, mechanisms, and therapeutic progress in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Lodewijk J A Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah L Gardiner
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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31
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Krauss S, Nalavade R, Weber S, Carter K, Evert BO. Upregulation of miR-25 and miR-181 Family Members Correlates with Reduced Expression of ATXN3 in Lymphocytes from SCA3 Patients. Microrna 2019; 8:76-85. [PMID: 30147021 DOI: 10.2174/2211536607666180821162403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), the most common spinocerebellar ataxia, is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the protein ataxin-3 (ATXN3). Silencing the expression of polyQ-expanded ATXN3 rescues the cellular disease phenotype. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs targeting gene expression, in lymphoblastoid cells (LCs) from SCA3 patients and the capability of identified deregulated miRNAs to target and alter ATXN3 expression. METHODS MiRNA profiling was performed by microarray hybridization of total RNA from control and SCA3-LCs. The capability of the identified miRNAs and their target sites to suppress ATXN3 expression was analyzed using mutagenesis, reverse transcription PCR, immunoblotting, luciferase reporter assays, mimics and precursors of the identified miRNAs. RESULTS SCA3-LCs showed significantly decreased expression levels of ATXN3 and a significant upregulation of the ATXN3-3'UTR targeting miRNAs, miR-32 and miR-181c and closely related members of the miR-25 and miR-181 family, respectively. MiR-32 and miR-181c effectively targeted the 3'UTR of ATXN3 and suppressed the expression of ATXN3. CONCLUSIONS The simultaneous upregulation of closely related miRNAs targeting the 3'UTR of ATXN3 and the significantly reduced ATXN3 expression levels in SCA3-LCs suggests that miR-25 and miR-181 family members cooperatively bind to the 3'UTR to suppress the expression of ATXN3. The findings further suggest that the upregulation of miR-25 and miR-181 family members in SCA3- LCs reflects a cell type-specific, protective mechanism to diminish polyQ-mediated cytotoxic effects. Thus, miRNA mimics of miR-25 and miR-181 family members may prove useful for the treatment of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Krauss
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Rohit Nalavade
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie Weber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katlynn Carter
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd O Evert
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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32
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Chen IC, Chang CN, Chen WL, Lin TH, Chao CY, Lin CH, Lin HY, Cheng ML, Chiang MC, Lin JY, Wu YR, Lee-Chen GJ, Chen CM. Targeting Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2019; 47:63-95. [PMID: 30612452 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x19500046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nine autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats that encodes a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within different genes. Accumulation of aggregated mutant proteins is a common feature of polyQ diseases, leading to progressive neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. SCA type 3 (SCA3), the most common form of SCA worldwide, is characterized by a CAG triplet expansion in chromosome 14q32.1 ATXN3 gene. As accumulation of the mutated polyQ protein is a possible initial event in the pathogenic cascade, clearance of aggregated protein by ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has been proposed to inhibit downstream detrimental events and suppress neuronal cell death. In this study, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) extracts were studied for their proteasome-activating, polyQ aggregation-inhibitory and neuroprotective effects in GFPu and ATXN3/Q 75 -GFP 293/SH-SY5Y cells. Among the 14 tested extracts, 8 displayed increased proteasome activity, which was confirmed by 20S proteasome activity assay and analysis of ubiquitinated and fused GFP proteins in GFPu cells. All the eight extracts displayed good aggregation-inhibitory potential when tested in ATXN3/Q 75 -GFP 293 cells. Among them, neuroprotective effects of five selected extracts were shown by analyses of polyQ aggregation, neurite outgrowth, caspase 3 and proteasome activities, and ATXN3-GFP, ubiquitin, BCL2 and BAX protein levels in neuronal differentiated ATXN3/Q 75 -GFP SH-SY5Y cells. Finally, enhanced proteasome function, anti-oxidative activity and neuroprotection of catalpol, puerarin and daidzein (active constituents of Rehmannia glutinosa and Pueraria lobata) were demonstrated in GFPu and/or ATXN3/Q 75 -GFP 293/SH-SY5Y cells. This study may have therapeutic implication in polyQ-mediated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Cheng Chen
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ning Chang
- † Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ling Chen
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Te-Hsien Lin
- † Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ying Chao
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsin Lin
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Yuan Lin
- † Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ling Cheng
- ‡ Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, TaoYuan 33302, Taiwan
| | | | - Jung-Yaw Lin
- † Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Ru Wu
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Jen Lee-Chen
- † Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Mei Chen
- * Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
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Hong H, Koon AC, Chen ZS, Wei Y, An Y, Li W, Lau MHY, Lau KF, Ngo JCK, Wong CH, Au-Yeung HY, Zimmerman SC, Chan HYE. AQAMAN, a bisamidine-based inhibitor of toxic protein inclusions in neurons, ameliorates cytotoxicity in polyglutamine disease models. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2757-2770. [PMID: 30593503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006307] [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] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG repeat in the coding region of the affected genes. Hallmarks of polyQ diseases include the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates, leading to neuronal degeneration and cell death. PolyQ diseases are currently incurable, highlighting the urgent need for approaches that inhibit the formation of disaggregate cytotoxic polyQ protein inclusions. Here, we screened for bisamidine-based inhibitors that can inhibit neuronal polyQ protein inclusions. We demonstrated that one inhibitor, AQAMAN, prevents polyQ protein aggregation and promotes de-aggregation of self-assembled polyQ proteins in several models of polyQ diseases. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that AQAMAN significantly reduces polyQ protein aggregation and specifically suppresses polyQ protein-induced cell death. Using a recombinant and purified polyQ protein (thioredoxin-Huntingtin-Q46), we further demonstrated that AQAMAN interferes with polyQ self-assembly, preventing polyQ aggregation, and dissociates preformed polyQ aggregates in a cell-free system. Remarkably, AQAMAN feeding of Drosophila expressing expanded polyQ disease protein suppresses polyQ-induced neurodegeneration in vivo In addition, using inhibitors and activators of the autophagy pathway, we demonstrated that AQAMAN's cytoprotective effect against polyQ toxicity is autophagy-dependent. In summary, we have identified AQAMAN as a potential therapeutic for combating polyQ protein toxicity in polyQ diseases. Our findings further highlight the importance of the autophagy pathway in clearing harmful polyQ proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Hong
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Alex Chun Koon
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Zhefan Stephen Chen
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Yuming Wei
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Ying An
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Wen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Matthew Ho Yan Lau
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | | | | | | | - Ho Yu Au-Yeung
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research, .,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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34
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Hansen CV, Schroll HJ, Wüstner D. A discontinuous Galerkin model for fluorescence loss in photobleaching of intracellular polyglutamine protein aggregates. BMC BIOPHYSICS 2018; 11:7. [PMID: 30519460 PMCID: PMC6264036 DOI: 10.1186/s13628-018-0046-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Intracellular phase separation and aggregation of proteins with extended poly-glutamine (polyQ) stretches are hallmarks of various age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Progress in our understanding of such processes heavily relies on quantitative fluorescence imaging of suitably tagged proteins. Fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) is particularly well-suited to study the dynamics of protein aggregation in cellular models of Chorea Huntington and other polyQ diseases, as FLIP gives access to the full spatio-temporal profile of intensity changes in the cell geometry. In contrast to other methods, also dim aggregates become visible during time evolution of fluorescence loss in cellular compartments. However, methods for computational analysis of FLIP data are sparse, and transport models for estimation of transport and diffusion parameters from experimental FLIP sequences are missing. Results In this paper, we present a computational method for analysis of FLIP imaging experiments of intracellular polyglutamine protein aggregates also called inclusion bodies (IBs). By this method, we can determine the diffusion constant and nuclear membrane transport coefficients of polyQ proteins as well as the exchange rates between aggregates and the cytoplasm. Our method is based on a reaction-diffusion multi-compartment model defined on a mesh obtained by segmentation of the cell images from the FLIP sequence. The discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is used for numerical implementation of our model in FEniCS, which greatly reduces the computing time. The method is applied to representative experimental FLIP sequences, and consistent estimates of all transport parameters are obtained. Conclusions By directly estimating the transport parameters from live-cell image sequences using our new computational FLIP approach surprisingly fast exchange dynamics of mutant Huntingtin between cytoplasm and dim IBs could be revealed. This is likely relevant also for other polyQ diseases. Thus, our method allows for quantifying protein dynamics at different stages of the protein aggregation process in cellular models of neurodegeneration. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13628-018-0046-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian V Hansen
- 1Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230 Denmark
| | - Hans J Schroll
- 1Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230 Denmark
| | - Daniel Wüstner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230 Denmark
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35
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Matos CA, de Almeida LP, Nóbrega C. Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: lessons from disease pathogenesis and clues into therapy. J Neurochem 2018; 148:8-28. [PMID: 29959858 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is an incurable disorder, widely regarded as the most common form of spinocerebellar ataxia in the world. MJD/SCA3 arises from mutation of the ATXN3 gene, but this simple monogenic cause contrasts with the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms that are currently admitted to underlie neuronal dysfunction and death. The aberrantly expanded protein product - ataxin-3 - is known to aggregate and generate toxic species that disrupt several cell systems, including autophagy, proteostasis, transcription, mitochondrial function and signalling. Over the years, research into putative therapeutic approaches has often been devoted to the development of strategies that counteract disease at different stages of cellular pathogenesis. Silencing the pathogenic protein, blocking aggregation, inhibiting toxic proteolytic processing and counteracting dysfunctions of the cellular systems affected have yielded promising ameliorating results in studies with cellular and animal models. The current review analyses the available studies dedicated to the investigation of MJD/SCA3 pathogenesis and the exploration of possible therapeutic strategies, focusing primarily on gene therapy and pharmacological approaches rooted on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Matos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Coimbra, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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36
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Adjuvant Potential of Poly-α-l-Glutamine from the Cell Wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00537-18. [PMID: 30104212 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00537-18] [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] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel adjuvants are in demand for improving the efficacy of human vaccines. The immunomodulatory properties of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall components have been highlighted in the formulation of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). We have explored the adjuvant potential of poly-α-l-glutamine (PLG), a lesser-known constituent of the pathogenic mycobacterial cell wall. Immune parameters indicated that the adjuvant potency of PLG was statistically comparable to that of CFA and better than that of alum in the context of H1 antigen (Ag85B and ESAT-6 fusion). At 1 mg/dose, PLG augmented the immune response of Ag85B, BP26, and protective antigen (PA) by increasing serum antibodies and cytokines in the culture supernatant of antigen-stimulated splenocytes. PLG modulated the humoral response of vaccine candidate ESAT-6, eliciting significantly higher levels of total IgG and isotypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b). Additionally, the splenocytes from PLG-adjuvanted mice displayed a robust increase in the Th1-specific gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-2 (IL-2), Th2-specific IL-6 and IL-10, and Th17-specific IL-17A cytokines upon antigenic stimulation. PLG improved the protective efficacy of ESAT-6 by reducing bacillary load in the lung and spleen as well as granuloma formation, and it helped in maintaining vital health parameters of mice challenged with M. tuberculosis The median survival time of PLG-adjuvanted mice was 205 days, compared to 146 days for dimethyl-dioctadecyl ammonium bromide-monophosphoryl lipid A (DDA-MPL)-vaccinated groups and 224 days for Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated groups. PLG enhanced the efficiency of the ESAT-6 vaccine to the level of BCG and better than that of DDA-MPL (P < 0.05), with no ill effect in C57BL/6J mice. Our results propose that PLG is a promising adjuvant candidate for advanced experimentation.
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Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are hereditary degenerative disorders of the nervous system that have remained, to this date, untreatable. Promisingly, investigation into their molecular etiology and the development of increasingly perfected tools have contributed to the design of novel strategies with therapeutic potential. Encouraging studies have explored gene therapy as a means to counteract cell demise and loss in this context. The current chapter addresses the two main focuses of research in the area: the characteristics of the systems used to deliver nucleic acids to cells and the molecular and cellular actions of the therapeutic agents. Vectors used in gene therapy have to satisfyingly reach the tissues and cell types of interest, while eliciting the lowest toxicity possible. Both viral and non-viral systems have been developed for the delivery of nucleic acids to the central nervous system, each with its respective advantages and shortcomings. Since each polyglutamine disease is caused by mutation of a single gene, many gene therapy strategies have tried to halt degeneration by silencing the corresponding protein products, usually recurring to RNA interference. The potential of small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs and microRNAs has been investigated. Overexpression of protective genes has also been evaluated as a means of decreasing mutant protein toxicity and operate beneficial alterations. Recent gene editing tools promise yet other ways of interfering with the disease-causing genes, at the most upstream points possible. Results obtained in both cell and animal models encourage further delving into this type of therapeutic strategies and support the future use of gene therapy in the treatment of polyglutamine diseases.
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Marzi C, Ciulli S, Giannelli M, Ginestroni A, Tessa C, Mascalchi M, Diciotti S. Structural Complexity of the Cerebellum and Cerebral Cortex is Reduced in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2. J Neuroimaging 2018; 28:688-693. [PMID: 29975004 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fractal dimension (FD) is an index of structural complexity of cortical gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM). Application of FD to pontocerebellar degeneration has revealed cerebellar changes. However, so far, possible concurrent cerebral changes and progression of changes in brain complexity have not been investigated. METHODS We computed FD of cerebellar and cerebral cortex and WM derived from longitudinal brain MRI of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), which is an inherited cause of pontocerebellar degeneration. Nine SCA2 patients and 16 age-matched healthy controls were examined twice (3.6 ± .7 and 3.3 ± 1.0 years apart, respectively) on the same 1.5T MR scanner with T1-weighted imaging. Cortical GM and WM of the cerebrum and cerebellum were segmented using FreeSurfer and FD of these segmentations were computed. RESULTS At baseline, FD values of cerebellar GM and WM were significantly (P < .001) lower in SCA2 patients (2.48 ± .04 for GM and 1.74 ± .09 for WM) than in controls (2.56 ± .02 for GM and 2.22 ± .19 for WM). Also, FD values of cerebral GM were significantly (P < .05) lower in SCA2 patients (2.39 ± .03) than in controls (2.43 ± .02). No significant differences were observed for FD of the cerebral WM. The rate of change of FD values was not significantly different between SCA2 patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS The structural complexity of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex is reduced in SCA2 patients. Fractal analysis seems not to be able to demonstrate progression of changes associated with degeneration in SCA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Marzi
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ciulli
- "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Giannelli
- Unit of Medical Physics, Pisa University Hospital "Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana", Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Ginestroni
- Neuroradiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Tessa
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Versilia Hospital, Lido di Camaiore (Lu), Italy
| | - Mario Mascalchi
- "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Diciotti
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Zhang Q, Chen ZS, An Y, Liu H, Hou Y, Li W, Lau KF, Koon AC, Ngo JCK, Chan HYE. A peptidylic inhibitor for neutralizing expanded CAG RNA-induced nucleolar stress in polyglutamine diseases. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:486-498. [PMID: 29295891 PMCID: PMC5855950 DOI: 10.1261/rna.062703.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a class of progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the expression of both expanded CAG RNA and misfolded polyQ protein. We previously reported that the direct interaction between expanded CAG RNA and nucleolar protein nucleolin (NCL) impedes preribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) transcription, and eventually triggers nucleolar stress-induced apoptosis in polyQ diseases. Here, we report that a 21-amino acid peptide, named "beta-structured inhibitor for neurodegenerative diseases" (BIND), effectively suppresses toxicity induced by expanded CAG RNA. When administered to a cell model, BIND potently inhibited cell death induced by expanded CAG RNA with an IC50 value of ∼0.7 µM. We showed that the function of BIND is dependent on Glu2, Lys13, Gly14, Ile18, Glu19, and Phe20. BIND treatment restored the subcellular localization of nucleolar marker protein and the expression level of pre-45s rRNA Through isothermal titration calorimetry analysis, we demonstrated that BIND suppresses nucleolar stress via a direct interaction with CAG RNA in a length-dependent manner. The mean binding constants (KD) of BIND to SCA2CAG22 , SCA2CAG42 , SCA2CAG55 , and SCA2CAG72 RNA are 17.28, 5.60, 4.83, and 0.66 µM, respectively. In vivo, BIND ameliorates retinal degeneration and climbing defects, and extends the lifespan of Drosophila expressing expanded CAG RNA. These effects suggested that BIND can suppress neurodegeneration in diverse polyQ disease models in vivo and in vitro without exerting observable cytotoxic effect. Our results collectively demonstrated that BIND is an effective inhibitor of expanded CAG RNA-induced toxicity in polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhefan Stephen Chen
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying An
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Haizhen Liu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yonghui Hou
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wen Li
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok-Fai Lau
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alex Chun Koon
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacky Chi Ki Ngo
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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Structural cerebellar correlates of cognitive functions in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. J Neurol 2018; 265:597-606. [PMID: 29356974 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8738-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease involving the cerebellum and characterized by a typical motor syndrome. In addition, the presence of cognitive impairment is now widely acknowledged as a feature of SCA2. Given the extensive connections between the cerebellum and associative cerebral areas, it is reasonable to hypothesize that cerebellar neurodegeneration associated with SCA2 may impact on the cerebellar modulation of the cerebral cortex, thus resulting in functional impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate and quantitatively map the pattern of cerebellar gray matter (GM) atrophy due to SCA2 neurodegeneration and to correlate that with patients' cognitive performances. Cerebellar GM maps were extracted and compared between SCA2 patients (n = 9) and controls (n = 33) by using voxel-based morphometry. Furthermore, the relationship between cerebellar GM atrophy and neuropsychological scores of the patients was assessed. Specific cerebellar GM regions were found to be affected in patients. Additionally, GM loss in cognitive posterior lobules (VI, Crus I, Crus II, VIIB, IX) correlated with visuospatial, verbal memory and executive tasks, while additional correlations with motor anterior (V) and posterior (VIIIA, VIIIB) lobules were found for the tasks engaging motor and planning components. Our results provide evidence that the SCA2 neurodegenerative process affects the cerebellar cortex and that MRI indices of atrophy in different cerebellar subregions may account for the specificity of cognitive symptomatology observed in patients, as result of a cerebello-cerebral dysregulation.
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41
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Martí E. RNA toxicity induced by expanded CAG repeats in Huntington's disease. Brain Pathol 2018; 26:779-786. [PMID: 27529325 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) belongs to the group of inherited polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the coding region of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene that results in an elongated polyQ stretch. Abnormal function and aggregation of the mutant protein has been typically delineated as the main molecular cause underlying disease development. However, the most recent advances have revealed novel pathogenic pathways directly dependent on an RNA toxic gain-of-function. Expanded CAG repeats within exon 1 of the HTT mRNA induce toxicity through mechanisms involving, at least in part, gene expression perturbations. This has important implications not only for basic and translational research in HD, but also for other types of diseases carrying the expanded CAG in other genes, which likely share pathogenic aspects. Here I will review the evidence and mechanisms underlying RNA toxicity in CAG repeat expansions, with particular focus on HD. These comprise abnormal subcellular localization of the transcripts containing the expanded CAG repeats; sequestration of several types of proteins by the expanded CAG repeat which results in defects of alternative splicing events and gene expression; and aberrant biogenesis and detrimental activity of small CAG repeated RNAs (sCAG) that produce altered gene silencing. Although these altered pathways have been detected in HD models, their contribution to disease development and progress requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulàlia Martí
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mediques (IMIM), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:439-466. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Pathways Implicated in Machado-Joseph Disease Pathogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:349-367. [PMID: 29427113 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominantly inherited disorder originally described in people of Portuguese descent, and associated with the expansion of a CAG tract in the coding region of the causative gene MJD1/ATX3. The CAG repeats range from 10 to 51 in the normal population and from 55 to 87 in SCA3/MJD patients. MJD1 encodes ataxin-3, a protein whose physiological function has been linked to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Despite the identification of the causative mutation, the pathogenic process leading to the neurodegeneration observed in the disease is not yet completely understood. In the past years, several studies identified different molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways as being impaired or deregulated in MJD. Autophagy, proteolysis or post-translational modifications, among other processes, were implicated in MJD pathogenesis. From these studies it was possible to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention, which in some cases proved successful in models of disease.
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Kashima R, Hata A. The role of TGF-β superfamily signaling in neurological disorders. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:106-120. [PMID: 29190314 PMCID: PMC5846707 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmx124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily signaling is involved in a variety of biological processes during embryogenesis and in adult tissue homeostasis. Faulty regulation of the signaling pathway that transduces the TGF-β superfamily signals accordingly leads to a number of ailments, such as cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, urinary, intestinal, skeletal, and immune diseases. In recent years, a number of studies have elucidated the essential roles of TGF-βs and BMPs during neuronal development in the maintenance of appropriate innervation and neuronal activity. The new advancement implicates significant roles of the aberrant TGF-β superfamily signaling in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. In this review, we compile a number of reports implicating the deregulation of TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders in animal models and patients. We apologize in advance that the review falls short of providing details of the role of TGF-β/BMP signaling or mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. The goal of this article is to reveal a gap in our knowledge regarding the association between TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways and neuronal tissue homeostasis and development and facilitate the research with a potential to develop new therapies for neurological ailments by modulating the pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Kashima
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Akiko Hata
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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45
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Microstructural MRI Basis of the Cognitive Functions in Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2. Neuroscience 2017; 366:44-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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46
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Alexandrov AI, Serpionov GV, Kushnirov VV, Ter-Avanesyan MD. Wild type huntingtin toxicity in yeast: Implications for the role of amyloid cross-seeding in polyQ diseases. Prion 2017; 10:221-7. [PMID: 27220690 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1176659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins with expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) regions are prone to form amyloids, which can cause diseases in humans and toxicity in yeast. Recently, we showed that in yeast non-toxic amyloids of Q-rich proteins can induce aggregation and toxicity of wild type huntingtin (Htt) with a short non-pathogenic polyglutamine tract. Similarly to mutant Htt with an elongated N-terminal polyQ sequence, toxicity of its wild type counterpart was mediated by induced aggregation of the essential Sup35 protein, which contains a Q-rich region. Notably, polymerization of Sup35 was not caused by the initial benign amyloids and, therefore, aggregates of wild type Htt acted as intermediaries in seeding Sup35 polymerization. This exemplifies a protein polymerization cascade which can generate a network of interdependent polymers. Here we discuss cross-seeded protein polymerization as a possible mechanism underlying known interrelations between different polyQ diseases. We hypothesize that similar mechanisms may enable proteins, which possess expanded Q-rich tracts but are not associated with diseases, to promote the development of polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Alexandrov
- a Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
| | - G V Serpionov
- a Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
| | - V V Kushnirov
- a Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
| | - M D Ter-Avanesyan
- a Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow , Russia
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47
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A brain-targeting lipidated peptide for neutralizing RNA-mediated toxicity in Polyglutamine Diseases. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12077. [PMID: 28935901 PMCID: PMC5608758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11695-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases are progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by both protein- and RNA-mediated toxicities. We previously showed that a peptidyl inhibitor, P3, which binds directly to expanded CAG RNA can inhibit RNA-induced nucleolar stress and suppress RNA-induced neurotoxicity. Here we report a N-acetylated and C-amidated derivative of P3, P3V8, that showed a more than 20-fold increase in its affinity for expanded CAG RNA. The P3V8 peptide also more potently alleviated expanded RNA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro, and suppressed polyQ neurodegeneration in Drosophila with no observed toxic effects. Further N-palmitoylation of P3V8 (L1P3V8) not only significantly improved its cellular uptake and stability, but also facilitated its systemic exposure and brain uptake in rats via intranasal administration. Our findings demonstrate that concomitant N-acetylation, C-amidation and palmitoylation of P3 significantly improve both its bioactivity and pharmacological profile. L1P3V8 possesses drug/lead-like properties that can be further developed into a lead inhibitor for the treatment of polyQ diseases.
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48
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Ophthalmic features of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. Eye (Lond) 2017; 32:120-127. [PMID: 28799562 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2017.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PurposeTo analyze the relation between ophthalmologic and motor changes in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7).Patients and methodsThis was a case series study. Sixteen SCA7 patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including ocular extrinsic motility testing, color vision test, and optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve and macula. Changes in the corneal endothelium, electroretinographic patterns, and a complete neurologic evaluation using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) were evaluated. Correlations of endothelial cell density (ECD) with number of CAG repetitions and the SARA scores were estimated.ResultsAll patients showed various degrees of visual impairment mainly due to macular deterioration. Notably, they also presented decreased ECD. Pairwise correlations of ECD with number of CAG repeats and severity of motor symptoms quantified with the SARA scores were inverse (r=-0.46, P=0.083 and r=-0.64, P=0.009, respectively). Further analyses indicated an average ECD decrease of 48 cells/mm2 (P=0.006) per unit of change on the number of CAG repeats, and of 75 cells/mm2 (P=0.001) per unit of change on the SARA scores.ConclusionsThe results agree with previous ophthalmological findings regarding the widespread effect of SCA7 mutation on the patient's visual system. However, the results also show a significant negative correlation of decreased ECD with both CAG repetitions and SARA scores. This suggests that motor systems could degenerate in parallel with visual systems, although more research is needed to determine whether the degeneration is caused by the same mechanisms.
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Humanin G (HNG) protects age-related macular degeneration (AMD) transmitochondrial ARPE-19 cybrids from mitochondrial and cellular damage. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2951. [PMID: 28726777 PMCID: PMC5550888 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) ranks third among the leading causes of visual impairment with a blindness prevalence rate of 8.7%. Despite several treatment regimens, such as anti-angiogenic drugs, laser therapy, and vitamin supplementation, being available for wet AMD, to date there are no FDA-approved therapies for dry AMD. Substantial evidence implicates mitochondrial damage and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death in the pathogenesis of AMD. However, the effects of AMD mitochondria and Humanin G (HNG), a more potent variant of the mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) Humanin, on retinal cell survival have not been elucidated. In this study, we characterized mitochondrial and cellular damage in transmitochondrial cybrid cell lines that contain identical nuclei but possess mitochondria from either AMD or age-matched normal (Older-normal (NL)) subjects. AMD cybrids showed (1) reduced levels of cell viability, lower mtDNA copy numbers, and downregulation of mitochondrial replication/transcription genes and antioxidant enzyme genes; and (2) elevated levels of genes related to apoptosis, autophagy and ER-stress along with increased mtDNA fragmentation and higher susceptibility to amyloid-β-induced toxicity compared to NL cybrids. In AMD cybrids, HNG protected the AMD mitochondria, reduced pro-apoptosis gene and protein levels, upregulated gp130 (a component of the HN receptor complex), and increased the protection against amyloid-β-induced damage. In summary, in cybrids, damaged AMD mitochondria mediate cell death that can be reversed by HNG treatment. Our results also provide evidence of Humanin playing a pivotal role in protecting cells with AMD mitochondria. In the future, it may be possible that AMD patient's blood samples containing damaged mitochondria may be useful as biomarkers for this condition. In conclusion, HNG may be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of dry AMD, a debilitating eye disease that currently has no available treatment. Further studies are needed to establish HNG as a viable mitochondria-targeting therapy for dry AMD.
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50
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André W, Sandt C, Nondier I, Djian P, Hoffner G. Inclusions of R6/2 Mice Are Not Amyloid and Differ Structurally from Those of Huntington Disease Brain. Anal Chem 2017; 89:5201-5209. [PMID: 28398721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b04199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
R6/2 mice contain an N-terminal fragment of human huntingtin with an expanded polyQ and develop a neurological disease resembling Huntington disease. Although the brain of R6/2 mice contains numerous inclusions, there is very little neuronal death. In that respect, R6/2 mice differ from patients with Huntington disease whose striatum and cerebral cortex develop inclusions associated with extensive neuronal loss. We have previously demonstrated using synchrotron-based infrared microspectroscopy that the striatum and the cortex of patients with Huntington disease contained inclusions specifically enriched in amyloid β-sheets. We had concluded that the presence of an amyloid motif conferred toxicity to the inclusions. We demonstrate here by synchrotron based infrared microspectroscopy in transmission and attenuated total reflectance mode that the inclusions of R6/2 mice possess no detectable amyloid and are composed of proteins whose structure is not distinguishable from that of the surrounding soluble proteins. The difference in structure between the inclusions of patients affected by Huntington disease and those of R6/2 mice might explain why the former but not the latter cause neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- William André
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris Descartes , UMR 8118, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cérébrale, 75006 Paris, France.,Synchrotron SOLEIL , 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - Isabelle Nondier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris Descartes , UMR 8118, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cérébrale, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Djian
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris Descartes , UMR 8118, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cérébrale, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Guylaine Hoffner
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris Descartes , UMR 8118, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cérébrale, 75006 Paris, France
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