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Negi S, Khurana N, Duggal N. The misfolding mystery: α-synuclein and the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Neurochem Int 2024; 177:105760. [PMID: 38723900 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105760] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by the death of neurons in specific areas of the brain. One of the proteins that is involved in the pathogenesis of PD is α-synuclein (α-syn). α-Syn is a normal protein that is found in all neurons, but in PD, it misfolds and aggregates into toxic fibrils. These fibrils can then coalesce into pathological inclusions, such as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. The pathogenic pathway of PD is thought to involve a number of steps, including misfolding and aggregation of α-syn, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein clearance impairment, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. A deeper insight into the structure of α-syn and its fibrils could aid in understanding the disease's etiology. The prion-like nature of α-syn is also an important area of research. Prions are misfolded proteins that can spread from cell to cell, causing other proteins to misfold as well. It is possible that α-syn may behave in a similar way, spreading from cell to cell and causing a cascade of misfolding and aggregation. Various post-translational alterations have also been observed to play a role in the pathogenesis of PD. These alterations can involve a variety of nuclear and extranuclear activities, and they can lead to the misfolding and aggregation of α-syn. A better understanding of the pathogenic pathway of PD could lead to the development of new therapies for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Negi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Navneet Khurana
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Navneet Duggal
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India.
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2
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Mubeen H, Masood A, Zafar A, Khan ZQ, Khan MQ, Nisa AU. Insights into AlphaFold's breakthrough in neurodegenerative diseases. Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03721-6. [PMID: 38833116 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by impairment in neurons' functions, and complete loss, leading to memory loss, and difficulty in learning, language, and movement processes. The most common among these NDs are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), although several other disorders also exist. These are frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral syndrome (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and others; the major pathological hallmark of NDs is the proteinopathies, either of amyloid-β (Aβ), tauopathies, or synucleinopathies. Aggregation of proteins that do not undergo normal configuration, either due to mutations or through some disturbance in cellular pathway contributes to the diseases. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) have proven to be successful in the diagnosis and treatment of various congenital diseases. DL approaches like AlphaFold (AF) are a major leap towards success in CNS disorders. This 3D protein geometry modeling algorithm developed by DeepMind has the potential to revolutionize biology. AF has the potential to predict 3D-protein confirmation at an accuracy level comparable to experimentally predicted one, with the additional advantage of precisely estimating protein interactions. This breakthrough will be beneficial to identify diseases' advancement and the disturbance of signaling pathways stimulating impaired functions of proteins. Though AlphaFold has solved a major problem in structural biology, it cannot predict membrane proteins-a beneficial approach for drug designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Mubeen
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Ammara Masood
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Asma Zafar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zohaira Qayyum Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muneeza Qayyum Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Alim Un Nisa
- Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore, Pakistan
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3
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Kinnart I, Manders L, Heyninck T, Imberechts D, Praschberger R, Schoovaerts N, Verfaillie C, Verstreken P, Vandenberghe W. Elevated α-synuclein levels inhibit mitophagic flux. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:80. [PMID: 38594264 PMCID: PMC11004019 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00696-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic effect of SNCA gene multiplications indicates that elevation of wild-type α-synuclein levels is sufficient to cause Parkinson's disease (PD). Mitochondria have been proposed to be a major target of α-synuclein-induced damage. PINK1/parkin/DJ-1-mediated mitophagy is a defense strategy that allows cells to selectively eliminate severely damaged mitochondria. Here, we quantified mitophagic flux and non-mitochondrial autophagic flux in three models of increased α-synuclein expression: 1/Drosophila melanogaster that transgenically express human wild-type and mutant α-synuclein in flight muscle; 2/human skin fibroblasts transfected with α-synuclein or β-synuclein; and 3/human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons carrying an extra copy of wild-type SNCA under control of a doxycycline-inducible promoter, allowing titratable α-synuclein upregulation. In each model, elevated α-synuclein levels potently suppressed mitophagic flux, while non-mitochondrial autophagy was preserved. In human neurons, a twofold increase in wild-type α-synuclein was already sufficient to induce this effect. PINK1 and parkin activation and mitochondrial translocation of DJ-1 after mitochondrial depolarization were not affected by α-synuclein upregulation. Overexpression of the actin-severing protein cofilin or treatment with CK666, an inhibitor of the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, rescued mitophagy in neurons with increased α-synuclein, suggesting that excessive actin network stabilization mediated the mitophagy defect. In conclusion, elevated α-synuclein levels inhibit mitophagic flux. Disruption of actin dynamics may play a key role in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Kinnart
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Parkinson Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liselot Manders
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Parkinson Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thibaut Heyninck
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Parkinson Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dorien Imberechts
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Parkinson Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roman Praschberger
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neuronal Communication, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nils Schoovaerts
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neuronal Communication, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Patrik Verstreken
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neuronal Communication, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Parkinson Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Agha MM, Aziziyan F, Uversky VN. Each big journey starts with a first step: Importance of oligomerization. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:111-141. [PMID: 38811079 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Protein oligomers, widely found in nature, have significant physiological and pathological functions. They are classified into three groups based on their function and toxicity. Significant advancements are being achieved in the development of functional oligomers, with a focus on various applications and their engineering. The antimicrobial peptides oligomers play roles in death of bacterial and cancer cells. The predominant pathogenic species in neurodegenerative disorders, as shown by recent results, are amyloid oligomers, which are the main subject of this chapter. They are generated throughout the aggregation process, serving as both intermediates in the subsequent aggregation pathways and ultimate products. Some of them may possess potent cytotoxic properties and through diverse mechanisms cause cellular impairment, and ultimately, the death of cells and disease progression. Information regarding their structure, formation mechanism, and toxicity is limited due to their inherent instability and structural variability. This chapter aims to provide a concise overview of the current knowledge regarding amyloid oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoureh Mirza Agha
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino, Moscow, Russia; Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United Staes.
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5
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Huang W, Liu J, Le S, Yao M, Shi Y, Yan J. In situ single-molecule investigations of the impacts of biochemical perturbations on conformational intermediates of monomeric α-synuclein. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016114. [PMID: 38435467 PMCID: PMC10908564 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein aggregation is a common trait in synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease. Being an unstructured protein, α-synuclein exists in several distinct conformational intermediates, contributing to both its function and pathogenesis. However, the regulation of these monomer conformations by biochemical factors and potential drugs has remained elusive. In this study, we devised an in situ single-molecule manipulation approach to pinpoint kinetically stable conformational intermediates of monomeric α-synuclein and explore the effects of various biochemical factors and drugs. We uncovered a partially folded conformation located in the non-amyloid-β component (NAC) region of monomeric α-synuclein, which is regulated by a preNAC region. This conformational intermediate is sensitive to biochemical perturbations and small-molecule drugs that influencing α-synuclein's aggregation tendency. Our findings reveal that this partially folded intermediate may play a role in α-synuclein aggregation, offering fresh perspectives for potential treatments aimed at the initial stage of higher-order α-synuclein aggregation. The single-molecule approach developed here can be broadly applied to the study of disease-related intrinsically disordered proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenmao Huang
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Jingzhun Liu
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | | | | | - Yi Shi
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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6
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Mumford TR, Rae D, Brackhahn E, Idris A, Gonzalez-Martinez D, Pal AA, Chung MC, Guan J, Rhoades E, Bugaj LJ. Simple visualization of submicroscopic protein clusters with a phase-separation-based fluorescent reporter. Cell Syst 2024; 15:166-179.e7. [PMID: 38335954 PMCID: PMC10947474 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.01.005] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein clustering plays numerous roles in cell physiology and disease. However, protein oligomers can be difficult to detect because they are often too small to appear as puncta in conventional fluorescence microscopy. Here, we describe a fluorescent reporter strategy that detects protein clusters with high sensitivity called CluMPS (clusters magnified by phase separation). A CluMPS reporter detects and visually amplifies even small clusters of a binding partner, generating large, quantifiable fluorescence condensates. We use computational modeling and optogenetic clustering to demonstrate that CluMPS can detect small oligomers and behaves rationally according to key system parameters. CluMPS detected small aggregates of pathological proteins where the corresponding GFP fusions appeared diffuse. CluMPS also detected and tracked clusters of unmodified and tagged endogenous proteins, and orthogonal CluMPS probes could be multiplexed in cells. CluMPS provides a powerful yet straightforward approach to observe higher-order protein assembly in its native cellular context. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Mumford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Diarmid Rae
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Emily Brackhahn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Abbas Idris
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Ayush Aditya Pal
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael C Chung
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Juan Guan
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Zhang N, Yan Z, Xin H, Shao S, Xue S, Cespuglio R, Wang S. Relationship among α‑synuclein, aging and inflammation in Parkinson's disease (Review). Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:23. [PMID: 38125364 PMCID: PMC10728906 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12311] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative pathology whose major clinical symptoms are movement disorders. The main pathological characteristics of PD are the selective death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies containing α-synuclein (α-Syn) within these neurons. PD is associated with numerous risk factors, including environmental factors, genetic mutations and aging. In many cases, the complex interplay of numerous risk factors leads to the onset of PD. The mutated α-Syn gene, which expresses pathologicalα-Syn protein, can cause PD. Another important feature of PD is neuroinflammation, which is conducive to neuronal death. α-Syn is able to interact with certain cell types in the brain, including through phagocytosis and degradation of α-Syn by glial cells, activation of inflammatory pathways by α-Syn in glial cells, transmission of α-Syn between glial cells and neurons, and interactions between peripheral immune cells and α-Syn. In addition to the aforementioned risk factors, PD may also be associated with aging, as the prevalence of PD increases with advancing age. The aging process impairs the cellular clearance mechanism, which leads to chronic inflammation and the accumulation of intracellular α-Syn, which results in DA neuronal death. In the present review, the age-associated α-Syn pathogenicity and the interactions between α-Syn and certain types of cells within the brain are discussed to facilitate understanding of the mechanisms of PD pathogenesis, which may potentially provide insight for the future clinical treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianping Zhang
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoli Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hua Xin
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jingmen People's Hospital, Jingmen, Hubei 448000, P.R. China
| | - Song Xue
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Raymond Cespuglio
- Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon (CNRL), Claude-Bernard Lyon-1 University, 69500 Lyon, France
| | - Shijun Wang
- Department of Pathology, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
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8
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Arnanz MA, Ruiz de Martín Esteban S, Martínez Relimpio AM, Rimmerman N, Tweezer Zaks N, Grande MT, Romero J. Effects of Chronic, Low-Dose Cannabinoids, Cannabidiol, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and a Combination of Both, on Amyloid Pathology in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 37862567 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is an urgent need for novel therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease. Among others, the use of cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as a putative approach based on their anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: The present work was designed to explore the effects of chronic (28 days) treatment with low doses of cannabinoids: CBD (0.273 mg/kg), THC (0.205 mg/kg) or a combination of both (CBD:THC; 0.273 mg/kg:0.205 mg/kg) in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Results: Our data revealed that THC-treated 5xFAD mice (but not other treatment groups) exhibited anxiogenic and depressant-like behavior. A significant improvement in spatial memory was observed only in the CBD:THC-treated group. Interestingly, all cannabinoid-treated groups showed significantly increased cortical levels of the insoluble form of beta amyloid 1-42. These effects were not accompanied by changes in molecular parameters of inflammation at the mRNA or protein level. Conclusions: These data reveal differential effects of chronic, low-dose cannabinoids and point to a role of these cannabinoids in the processing of amyloid peptides in the brains of 5xFAD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Andrea Arnanz
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Neta Rimmerman
- M.H MediCane Ltd., Kfar Saba, Israel
- MediCane R&D Ltd., Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Nurit Tweezer Zaks
- M.H MediCane Ltd., Kfar Saba, Israel
- MediCane R&D Ltd., Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - María Teresa Grande
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Romero
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Afzal S, Abdul Manap AS, Attiq A, Albokhadaim I, Kandeel M, Alhojaily SM. From imbalance to impairment: the central role of reactive oxygen species in oxidative stress-induced disorders and therapeutic exploration. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1269581. [PMID: 37927596 PMCID: PMC10622810 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1269581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased production and buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to various health issues, including metabolic problems, cancers, and neurological conditions. Our bodies counteract ROS with biological antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, and GPx, which help prevent cellular damage. However, if there is an imbalance between ROS and these antioxidants, it can result in oxidative stress. This can cause genetic and epigenetic changes at the molecular level. This review delves into how ROS plays a role in disorders caused by oxidative stress. We also look at animal models used for researching ROS pathways. This study offers insights into the mechanism, pathology, epigenetic changes, and animal models to assist in drug development and disease understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryar Afzal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aimi Syamima Abdul Manap
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Attiq
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Ibrahim Albokhadaim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Kandeel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Sameer M. Alhojaily
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
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Poli L, Labella B, Cotti Piccinelli S, Caria F, Risi B, Damioli S, Padovani A, Filosto M. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a comprehensive review with a focus on peripheral neuropathy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1242815. [PMID: 37869146 PMCID: PMC10585157 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1242815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloidoses represent a group of diseases characterized by the pathological accumulation in the extracellular area of insoluble misfolded protein material called "amyloid". The damage to the tissue organization and the direct toxicity of the amyloidogenic substrates induce progressive dysfunctions in the organs involved. They are usually multisystem diseases involving several vital organs, such as the peripheral nerves, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, and eyes. Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is related to abnormalities of transthyretin (TTR), a protein that acts as a transporter of thyroxine and retinol and is produced predominantly in the liver. ATTR is classified as hereditary (ATTRv) and wild type (ATTRwt). ATTRv is a severe systemic disease of adults caused by mutations in the TTR gene and transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner with incomplete penetrance. Some pathogenic variants in TTR are preferentially associated with a neurological phenotype (progressive peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy); others are more frequently associated with restrictive heart failure. However, many mutations express a mixed phenotype with neurological and cardiological involvement. ATTRv is now a treatable disease. A timely and definite diagnosis is essential in view of the availability of effective therapies that have revolutionized the management of affected patients. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the clinician with the disease and with the correct diagnostic pathways in order to obtain an early diagnosis and, consequently, the possibility of an adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Poli
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Labella
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Cotti Piccinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Filomena Caria
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Risi
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Damioli
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
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11
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Naskar S, Gour N. Realization of Amyloid-like Aggregation as a Common Cause for Pathogenesis in Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1523. [PMID: 37511898 PMCID: PMC10381831 DOI: 10.3390/life13071523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids were conventionally referred to as extracellular and intracellular accumulation of Aβ42 peptide, which causes the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles inside the brain leading to the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, amyloid-like deposition was found in the etiology of prion diseases, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, which was attributed to the aggregation of prion protein, α-Synuclein, islet amyloid polypeptide protein, and p53 protein, respectively. Hence, traditionally amyloids were considered aggregates formed exclusively by proteins or peptides. However, since the last decade, it has been discovered that other metabolites, like single amino acids, nucleobases, lipids, glucose derivatives, etc., have a propensity to form amyloid-like toxic assemblies. Several studies suggest direct implications of these metabolite assemblies in the patho-physiology of various inborn errors of metabolisms like phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, cystinuria, and Gaucher's disease, to name a few. In this review, we present a comprehensive literature overview that suggests amyloid-like structure formation as a common phenomenon for disease progression and pathogenesis in multiple syndromes. The review is devoted to providing readers with a broad knowledge of the structure, mode of formation, propagation, and transmission of different extracellular amyloids and their implications in the pathogenesis of diseases. We strongly believe a review on this topic is urgently required to create awareness about the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanism behind the origin of diseases from an amyloid perspective and possibly look for a common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these maladies by designing generic amyloid inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumick Naskar
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
| | - Nidhi Gour
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
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12
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Halder D, Das S, Joseph A. An insight into structure-activity relationship of naturally derived biological macromolecules for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a review. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37378526 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2230279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. There are currently no cures for AD, although various drugs are used to manage the symptoms and reduce the disease's progression. AChE inhibitors such as rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine, and the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist memantine are currently FDA-approved drugs used in the treatment of AD. Recently, naturally derived biological macromolecules have shown promising results in the treatment of AD. Several biological macromolecules derived from natural sources are in various stages of preclinical and clinical trials. During the literature search, it was observed that there is a lack of a comprehensive review that particularly focuses on the role of naturally derived biological macromolecules (protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids) in the treatment of AD and the structure-activity relationship (SAR) approach for understanding the medicinal chemistry perspective. This review focuses on the SAR and probable mechanisms of action of biological macromolecules derived from natural sources for the treatment of AD, including peptides, proteins, enzymes, and polysaccharides. The paper further addresses the therapeutic possibilities of monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and vaccines for the treatment of AD. Overall, the review provides insight into the SAR of naturally derived biological macromolecules in the treatment of AD. The ongoing research in this field holds great promise for the future development of AD treatment and provides hope for individuals affected by this devastating disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debojyoti Halder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Subham Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Alex Joseph
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Echeverria V, Mendoza C, Iarkov A. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and learning and memory deficits in Neuroinflammatory diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1179611. [PMID: 37255751 PMCID: PMC10225599 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1179611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal survival depends on cognitive abilities such as learning and memory to adapt to environmental changes. Memory functions require an enhanced activity and connectivity of a particular arrangement of engram neurons, supported by the concerted action of neurons, glia, and vascular cells. The deterioration of the cholinergic system is a common occurrence in neurological conditions exacerbated by aging such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Cotinine is a cholinergic modulator with neuroprotective, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing effects. Current evidence suggests Cotinine's beneficial effects on cognition results from the positive modulation of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and the inhibition of the toll-like receptors (TLRs). The α7nAChR affects brain functions by modulating the function of neurons, glia, endothelial, immune, and dendritic cells and regulates inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission throughout the GABA interneurons. In addition, Cotinine acting on the α7 nAChRs and TLR reduces neuroinflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the immune cells. Also, α7nAChRs stimulate signaling pathways supporting structural, biochemical, electrochemical, and cellular changes in the Central nervous system during the cognitive processes, including Neurogenesis. Here, the mechanisms of memory formation as well as potential mechanisms of action of Cotinine on memory preservation in aging and neurological diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Echeverria
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
- Research and Development Department, Bay Pines VAHCS, Bay Pines, FL, United States
| | - Cristhian Mendoza
- Facultad de Odontologia y Ciencias de la Rehabilitacion, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Alex Iarkov
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
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Patrakhanov EA, Pokrovsky VM, Karagodina AY, Krayushkina AM, Zhunusov NS, Deykin AV, Korokin MV, Pokrovsky MV, Altukhova OB. DEVELOPMENT OF MURINE STEM CELLS WITH CONDITIONAL KNOCKOUT OF HUMANIZED SNCA GENE. PHARMACY & PHARMACOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.19163/2307-9266-2022-10-6-525-535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
α-synuclein is one of the key molecular links in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. The accumulated data indicate that pathogenic mutations in the Snca gene are associated with the development of neurodegenerative brain damage, indicating the relevance of studying the synuclein neurobiological role.The aim of the study was to create a genetically modified clone of mouse stem cells with a conditional knockout of humanized α-synuclein, which can be used for the reinjection into mouse blastocysts, as well as for basic and applied in vitro research in the field of pathophysiology and neuropharmacology.Materials and methods. To create mouse stem cells with a conditional knockout of the humanized Snca gene, a previously obtained clone with the first Snca exon flanked by LoxP sites, was used. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination system with donor DNA oligonucleotides of the human sites of the corresponding gene sites was used to humanize the fourth and fifth exons. Cas9 nuclease, single guide RNA, and donor DNA were transfected into mouse cells.Results. An approach to obtaining clones of mouse genetically modified stem cells expressing pathological humanized α-synuclein, has been proposed and implemented. The resulting clones were plated on Petri dishes for propagation and a further genetic analysis. Clone 126-2F4 was found out carrying the necessary genetic modifications. The results obtained are fundamentally important not only for understanding the development of the pathological process in α-synucleinopathies, but which is more important, for the development of new therapeutic approaches that will stop the extension of the human α-synuclein aggregation pathology throughout the nervous system, and the validation of these approaches in preclinical trials.Conclusion. As a result of the study, a strategy for CRISPR/Cas9-assisted homologous recombination in the genome of mouse embryonic stem cells has been developed to create a fully humanized Snca gene encoding α-synuclein, and the clone genome of mouse embryonic stem cells has been edited using a CRISPR technology. The RNA and DNA oligonucleotides necessary for the creation of RNP complexes that carry out a directed homologous recombination in the Snca locus of the mouse genome have been synthesized. The developed cell clone can serve to create a line of genetically modified mice that serve as a test system for pathophysiological and neuropharmacological studies associated with synucleinopathies. Herewith, before the induction of the Cre-dependent recombination, this line is a representative model for studying a biological role of mutant Snca. At the same time, after a Cre-dependent knockout activation, it is possible to imitate the pharmacological inhibition of α-synuclein, which is of particular interest for applied research in neuropharmacology.
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Kim S, Nam Y, Shin SJ, Prajapati R, Shin SM, Kim MJ, soo Kim H, Leem SH, Kim TJ, Park YH, Kim JJ, Choi JS, Moon M. Dual modulators of aggregation and dissociation of amyloid beta and tau: In vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its bioactive components. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113865. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Virdi GS, Choi ML, Evans JR, Yao Z, Athauda D, Strohbuecker S, Nirujogi RS, Wernick AI, Pelegrina-Hidalgo N, Leighton C, Saleeb RS, Kopach O, Alrashidi H, Melandri D, Perez-Lloret J, Angelova PR, Sylantyev S, Eaton S, Heales S, Rusakov DA, Alessi DR, Kunath T, Horrocks MH, Abramov AY, Patani R, Gandhi S. Protein aggregation and calcium dysregulation are hallmarks of familial Parkinson's disease in midbrain dopaminergic neurons. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2022; 8:162. [PMID: 36424392 PMCID: PMC9691718 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-022-00423-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SNCA gene cause autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and aggregation of α-synuclein. The sequence of molecular events that proceed from an SNCA mutation during development, to end-stage pathology is unknown. Utilising human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), we resolved the temporal sequence of SNCA-induced pathophysiological events in order to discover early, and likely causative, events. Our small molecule-based protocol generates highly enriched midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons: molecular identity was confirmed using single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics, and functional identity was established through dopamine synthesis, and measures of electrophysiological activity. At the earliest stage of differentiation, prior to maturation to mDA neurons, we demonstrate the formation of small β-sheet-rich oligomeric aggregates, in SNCA-mutant cultures. Aggregation persists and progresses, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein aggregates. Impaired intracellular calcium signalling, increased basal calcium, and impairments in mitochondrial calcium handling occurred early at day 34-41 post differentiation. Once midbrain identity fully developed, at day 48-62 post differentiation, SNCA-mutant neurons exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, lysosomal swelling and increased autophagy. Ultimately these multiple cellular stresses lead to abnormal excitability, altered neuronal activity, and cell death. Our differentiation paradigm generates an efficient model for studying disease mechanisms in PD and highlights that protein misfolding to generate intraneuronal oligomers is one of the earliest critical events driving disease in human neurons, rather than a late-stage hallmark of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurvir S Virdi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Minee L Choi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - James R Evans
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Zhi Yao
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Dilan Athauda
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Raja S Nirujogi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anna I Wernick
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Noelia Pelegrina-Hidalgo
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Craig Leighton
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Rebecca S Saleeb
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Olga Kopach
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Haya Alrashidi
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Daniela Melandri
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Plamena R Angelova
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sergiy Sylantyev
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Rd West, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Simon Eaton
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Simon Heales
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Dario R Alessi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Tilo Kunath
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Mathew H Horrocks
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
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Li N, Deng M, Hu G, Li N, Yuan H, Zhou Y. New Insights into Microglial Mechanisms of Memory Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1722. [PMID: 36421736 PMCID: PMC9687453 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive and irreversible neurodegeneration characterized by the impairment of memory and cognition. Despite years of studies, no effective treatment and prevention strategies are available yet. Identifying new AD therapeutic targets is crucial for better elucidating the pathogenesis and establishing a valid treatment of AD. Growing evidence suggests that microglia play a critical role in AD. Microglia are resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS), and their core properties supporting main biological functions include surveillance, phagocytosis, and the release of soluble factors. Activated microglia not only directly mediate the central immune response, but also participate in the pathological changes of AD, including amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, tau protein phosphorylation, synaptic dissection, neuron loss, memory function decline, etc. Based on these recent findings, we provide a new framework to summarize the role of microglia in AD memory impairment. This evidence suggests that microglia have the potential to become new targets for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao 266555, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mingru Deng
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Gonghui Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Haicheng Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
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A Long Journey into the Investigation of the Structure–Dynamics–Function Paradigm in Proteins through the Activities of the Palermo Biophysics Group. BIOPHYSICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/biophysica2040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An overview of the biophysics activity at the Department of Physics and Chemistry Emilio Segrè of the University of Palermo is given. For forty years, the focus of the research has been on the protein structure–dynamics–function paradigm, with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of the relevant mechanisms and the key role of solvent. At least three research lines are identified; the main results obtained in collaboration with other groups in Italy and abroad are presented. This review is dedicated to the memory of Professors Massimo Ugo Palma, Maria Beatrice Palma Vittorelli, and Lorenzo Cordone, which were the founders of the Palermo School of Biophysics. We all have been, directly or indirectly, their pupils; we miss their enthusiasm for scientific research, their deep physical insights, their suggestions, their strict but always constructive criticisms, and, most of all, their friendship. This paper is dedicated also to the memory of Prof. Hans Frauenfelder, whose pioneering works on nonexponential rebinding kinetics, protein substates, and energy landscape have inspired a large part of our work in the field of protein dynamics.
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Manzoor S, Prajapati SK, Majumdar S, Khurana S, Krishnamurthy S, Hoda N. Pharmacological Investigations of Selected Multitarget‐Direct Ligands for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202200975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Manzoor
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi India- 110025
| | - Santosh Kumar Prajapati
- Neurotherapeutics Laboratory Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi, U.P India- 221005
| | - Shreyasi Majumdar
- Neurotherapeutics Laboratory Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi, U.P India- 221005
| | - Shilpi Khurana
- Department of Chemistry Deshbandhu College Kalkaji Main Rd, Block H, Kalkaji New Delhi India- 110019
| | - Sairam Krishnamurthy
- Neurotherapeutics Laboratory Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi, U.P India- 221005
| | - Nasimul Hoda
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi India- 110025
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Quantitative super-resolution imaging of pathological aggregates reveals distinct toxicity profiles in different synucleinopathies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2205591119. [PMID: 36206368 PMCID: PMC9573094 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205591119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a hallmark of major neurodegenerative disorders. Increasing data suggest that smaller aggregates cause higher toxic response than filamentous aggregates (fibrils). However, the size of small aggregates has challenged their detection within biologically relevant environments. Here, we report approaches to quantitatively super-resolve aggregates in live cells and ex vivo brain tissues. We show that Amytracker 630 (AT630), a commercial aggregate-activated fluorophore, has outstanding photophysical properties that enable super-resolution imaging of α-synuclein, tau, and amyloid-β aggregates, achieving ∼4 nm precision. Applying AT630 to AppNL-G-F mouse brain tissues or aggregates extracted from a Parkinson's disease donor, we demonstrate excellent agreement with antibodies specific for amyloid-β or α-synuclein, respectively, confirming the specificity of AT630. Subsequently, we use AT630 to reveal a linear relationship between α-synuclein aggregate size and cellular toxicity and discovered that aggregates smaller than 450 ± 60 nm (aggregate450nm) readily penetrated the plasma membrane. We determine aggregate450nm concentrations in six Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies donor samples and show that aggregates in different synucleinopathies demonstrate distinct potency in toxicity. We further show that cell-penetrating aggregates are surrounded by proteasomes, which assemble into foci to gradually process aggregates. Our results suggest that the plasma membrane effectively filters out fibrils but is vulnerable to penetration by aggregates of 450 ± 60 nm. Together, our findings present an exciting strategy to determine specificity of aggregate toxicity within heterogeneous samples. Our approach to quantitatively measure these toxic aggregates in biological environments opens possibilities to molecular examinations of disease mechanisms under physiological conditions.
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Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Complex I Dysfunction Correlate with Neurodegeneration in an α-Synucleinopathy Animal Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911394. [PMID: 36232716 PMCID: PMC9570254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The α-synucleinopathies constitute a subset of neurodegenerative disorders, of which Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common worldwide, characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein in the cytoplasm of neurons, which spreads in a prion-like manner to anatomically interconnected brain areas. However, it is not clear how α-synucleinopathy triggers neurodegeneration. We recently developed a rat model through a single intranigral administration of the neurotoxic β-sitosterol β-D-glucoside (BSSG), which produces α-synucleinopathy. In this model, we aimed to evaluate the temporal pattern of levels in oxidative and nitrosative stress and mitochondrial complex I (CI) dysfunction and how these biochemical parameters are associated with neurodegeneration in different brain areas with α-synucleinopathy (Substantia nigra pars compacta, the striatum, in the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb, where α-syn aggregation spreads). Interestingly, an increase in oxidative stress and mitochondrial CI dysfunction accompanied neurodegeneration in those brain regions. Furthermore, in silico analysis suggests a high-affinity binding site for BSSG with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) alpha (PPAR-α) and gamma (PPAR-γ). These findings will contribute to elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with α-synucleinopathies and lead to the identification of new early biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Zang RX, Mumby MJ, Dikeakos JD. The Phosphofurin Acidic Cluster Sorting Protein 2 (PACS-2) E209K Mutation Responsible for PACS-2 Syndrome Increases Susceptibility to Apoptosis. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:34378-34388. [PMID: 36188273 PMCID: PMC9520720 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 2 (PACS-2) is a multifunctional cytosolic membrane trafficking protein with distinct roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Recent clinical reports have described 28 individuals possessing a de novo PACS-2 E209K mutation that present with epileptic seizures and cerebellar dysgenesis. As the PACS-2 E209K missense mutation has become a marker for neurodevelopmental disorders, we sought to characterize its biochemical properties. Accordingly, we observed that the PACS-2 E209K protein exhibited a slower turnover rate relative to PACS-2 wild type (WT) upon cycloheximide treatment in 293T cells. The longer half-life of PACS-2 E209K suggests a disruption in its proteostasis, with the potential for altered protein-protein interactions. Indeed, a regulatory protein in neurodevelopment known as 14-3-3ε was identified as having an increased association with PACS-2 E209K. Subsequently, when comparing the effect of PACS-2 WT and E209K expression on the staurosporine-induced apoptosis response, we found that PACS-2 E209K increased susceptibility to staurosporine-induced apoptosis in HCT 116 cells. Overall, our findings suggest PACS-2 E209K alters PACS-2 proteostasis and favors complex formation with 14-3-3ε, leading to increased cell death in the presence of environmental stressors.
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Naoi M, Maruyama W, Shamoto-Nagai M. Neuroprotective Function of Rasagiline and Selegiline, Inhibitors of Type B Monoamine Oxidase, and Role of Monoamine Oxidases in Synucleinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911059. [PMID: 36232361 PMCID: PMC9570229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by the accumulation of toxic species of α-synuclein. The common clinical features are chronic progressive decline of motor, cognitive, behavioral, and autonomic functions. They include Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy body, and multiple system atrophy. Their etiology has not been clarified and multiple pathogenic factors include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired protein degradation systems, and neuroinflammation. Current available therapy cannot prevent progressive neurodegeneration and “disease-modifying or neuroprotective” therapy has been proposed. This paper presents the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection by the inhibitors of type B monoamine oxidase, rasagiline and selegiline. They prevent mitochondrial apoptosis, induce anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein family, and pro-survival brain- and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors. They also prevent toxic oligomerization and aggregation of α-synuclein. Monoamine oxidase is involved in neurodegeneration and neuroprotection, independently of the catalytic activity. Type A monoamine oxidases mediates rasagiline-activated signaling pathways to induce neuroprotective genes in neuronal cells. Multi-targeting propargylamine derivatives have been developed for therapy in various neurodegenerative diseases. Preclinical studies have presented neuroprotection of rasagiline and selegiline, but beneficial effects have been scarcely presented. Strategy to improve clinical trials is discussed to achieve disease-modification in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Naoi
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-05-6173-1111 (ext. 3494); Fax: +81-561-731-142
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Choi ML, Chappard A, Singh BP, Maclachlan C, Rodrigues M, Fedotova EI, Berezhnov AV, De S, Peddie CJ, Athauda D, Virdi GS, Zhang W, Evans JR, Wernick AI, Zanjani ZS, Angelova PR, Esteras N, Vinokurov AY, Morris K, Jeacock K, Tosatto L, Little D, Gissen P, Clarke DJ, Kunath T, Collinson L, Klenerman D, Abramov AY, Horrocks MH, Gandhi S. Pathological structural conversion of α-synuclein at the mitochondria induces neuronal toxicity. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1134-1148. [PMID: 36042314 PMCID: PMC9448679 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01140-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) drives Parkinson's disease (PD), although the initial stages of self-assembly and structural conversion have not been directly observed inside neurons. In this study, we tracked the intracellular conformational states of α-Syn using a single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) biosensor, and we show here that α-Syn converts from a monomeric state into two distinct oligomeric states in neurons in a concentration-dependent and sequence-specific manner. Three-dimensional FRET-correlative light and electron microscopy (FRET-CLEM) revealed that intracellular seeding events occur preferentially on membrane surfaces, especially at mitochondrial membranes. The mitochondrial lipid cardiolipin triggers rapid oligomerization of A53T α-Syn, and cardiolipin is sequestered within aggregating lipid-protein complexes. Mitochondrial aggregates impair complex I activity and increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which accelerates the oligomerization of A53T α-Syn and causes permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes and cell death. These processes were also observed in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons harboring A53T mutations from patients with PD. Our study highlights a mechanism of de novo α-Syn oligomerization at mitochondrial membranes and subsequent neuronal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minee L Choi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | | | - Bhanu P Singh
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- School of Physics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Margarida Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Dementia Research institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Evgeniya I Fedotova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
| | - Alexey V Berezhnov
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
| | - Suman De
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Dementia Research institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Dilan Athauda
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Gurvir S Virdi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - James R Evans
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Anna I Wernick
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Zeinab Shadman Zanjani
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Plamena R Angelova
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Noemi Esteras
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Andrey Y Vinokurov
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
| | - Katie Morris
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kiani Jeacock
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Laura Tosatto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Istituto di Biofisica, National Council of Research, Trento, Italy
| | - Daniel Little
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Paul Gissen
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - David J Clarke
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tilo Kunath
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Dementia Research institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel, Russia.
| | - Mathew H Horrocks
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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Liu AK, Pereira JH, Kehl AJ, Rosenberg DJ, Orr DJ, Chu SKS, Banda DM, Hammel M, Adams PD, Siegel JB, Shih PM. Structural plasticity enables evolution and innovation of RuBisCO assemblies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadc9440. [PMID: 36026446 PMCID: PMC9417184 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adc9440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization is a core structural feature that defines the form and function of many proteins. Most proteins form molecular complexes; however, there remains a dearth of diversity-driven structural studies investigating the evolutionary trajectory of these assemblies. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RuBisCO) is one such enzyme that adopts multiple assemblies, although the origins and distribution of its different oligomeric states remain cryptic. Here, we retrace the evolution of ancestral and extant form II RuBisCOs, revealing a complex and diverse history of oligomerization. We structurally characterize a newly discovered tetrameric RuBisCO, elucidating how solvent-exposed surfaces can readily adopt new interactions to interconvert or give rise to new oligomeric states. We further use these principles to engineer and demonstrate how changes in oligomerization can be mediated by relatively few mutations. Our findings yield insight into how structural plasticity may give rise to new oligomeric states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert K. Liu
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jose H. Pereira
- Technology Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alexander J. Kehl
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Daniel J. Rosenberg
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Douglas J. Orr
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Simon K. S. Chu
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Douglas M. Banda
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michal Hammel
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Paul D. Adams
- Technology Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Justin B. Siegel
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Chemistry Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Patrick M. Shih
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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26
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Forloni G, La Vitola P, Balducci C. Oligomeropathies, inflammation and prion protein binding. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:822420. [PMID: 36081661 PMCID: PMC9445368 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.822420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of oligomers, small soluble aggregates of misfolded proteins, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is recognized in numerous experimental conditions and is compatible with clinical evidence. To underline this concept, some years ago we coined the term oligomeropathies to define the common mechanism of action of protein misfolding diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson or prion diseases. Using simple experimental conditions, with direct application of synthetic β amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers intraventricularly at micromolar concentrations, we could detect differences and similarities in the biological consequences. The two oligomer species affected cognitive behavior, neuronal dysfunction and cerebral inflammatory reactions with distinct mechanisms. In these experimental conditions the proposed mediatory role of cellular prion protein in oligomer activities was not confirmed. Together with oligomers, inflammation at different levels can be important early in neurodegenerative disorders; both β amyloid and α-synuclein oligomers induce inflammation and its control strongly affects neuronal dysfunction. This review summarizes our studies with β-amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers, also considering the potential curative role of doxycycline, a well-known antibiotic with anti-amyloidogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. These actions are analyzed in terms of the therapeutic prospects.
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27
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Pupyshev AB, Belichenko VM, Tenditnik MV, Bashirzade AA, Dubrovina NI, Ovsyukova MV, Akopyan AA, Fedoseeva LA, Korolenko TA, Amstislavskaya TG, Tikhonova MA. Combined induction of mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways of autophagy activation as an experimental therapy for Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in a mouse model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 217:173406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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How Similar Are Proteins and Origami? Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050622. [PMID: 35625549 PMCID: PMC9138822 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein folding and structural biology are highly active disciplines that combine basic research in various fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science, with practical applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology. However, there are still gaps in the understanding of the detailed mechanisms of protein folding, and protein structure-function relations. In an effort to bridge these gaps, this paper studies the equivalence of proteins and origami. Research on proteins and origami provides strong evidence to support the use of origami folding principles and mechanical models to explain aspects of proteins formation and function. Although not identical, the equivalence of origami and proteins emerges in: (i) the folding processes, (ii) the shape and structure of proteins and origami models, and (iii) the intrinsic mechanical properties of the folded structures/models, which allows them to synchronically fold/unfold and effectively distribute forces to the whole structure. As a result, origami can contribute to the understanding of various key protein-related mechanisms and support the design of de novo proteins and nanomaterials.
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29
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Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Asarone in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020281. [PMID: 35204164 PMCID: PMC8868500 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders are important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, associated with an aging population, has intensified the societal burden associated with these diseases, for which no effective treatment strategies currently exist. Therefore, the identification and development of novel therapeutic approaches, able to halt or reverse neuronal loss by targeting the underlying causal factors that lead to neurodegeneration and neuronal cell death, are urgently necessary. Plants and other natural products have been explored as sources of safe, naturally occurring secondary metabolites with potential neuroprotective properties. The secondary metabolites α- and β-asarone can be found in high levels in the rhizomes of the medicinal plant Acorus calamus (L.). α- and β-asarone exhibit multiple pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current research on the therapeutic potential of α- and β-asarone in the treatment of neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as cerebral ischemic disease, and epilepsy. Current research indicates that α- and β-asarone exert neuroprotective effects by mitigating oxidative stress, abnormal protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic factor deficit, and promoting neuronal cell survival, as well as activating various neuroprotective signalling pathways. Although the beneficial effects exerted by α- and β-asarone have been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo animal studies, additional research is required to translate laboratory results into safe and effective therapies for patients with AD, PD, and other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
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30
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Vasili E, Dominguez-Meijide A, Flores-León M, Al-Azzani M, Kanellidi A, Melki R, Stefanis L, Outeiro TF. Endogenous Levels of Alpha-Synuclein Modulate Seeding and Aggregation in Cultured Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1273-1284. [PMID: 34984585 PMCID: PMC8857012 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein in intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Multiple studies strongly implicate the levels of alpha-synuclein as a major risk factor for the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Alpha-synuclein pathology spreads progressively throughout interconnected brain regions but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the seeding of alpha-synuclein aggregation are still unclear. Here, using stable cell lines expressing alpha-synuclein, we examined the correlation between endogenous alpha-synuclein levels and the seeding propensity by exogenous alpha-synuclein preformed fibrils. We applied biochemical approaches and imaging methods in stable cell lines expressing alpha-synuclein and in primary neurons to determine the impact of alpha-synuclein levels on seeding and aggregation. Our results indicate that the levels of alpha-synuclein define the pattern and severity of aggregation and the extent of p-alpha-synuclein deposition, likely explaining the selective vulnerability of different cell types in synucleinopathies. The elucidation of the cellular processes involved in the pathological aggregation of alpha-synuclein will enable the identification of novel targets and the development of therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Vasili
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Antonio Dominguez-Meijide
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073, Goettingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department. of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, IDIS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Flores-León
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica Y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70-228, 04510, México, DF, Mexico
| | - Mohammed Al-Azzani
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Angeliki Kanellidi
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA, and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Leonidas Stefanis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073, Goettingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Germany.
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
- Scientific Employee With a Honorary Contract at Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany.
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31
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Goshtasbi H, Pakchin PS, Movafeghi A, Barar J, Castejon AM, Omidian H, Omidi Y. Impacts of oxidants and antioxidants on the emergence and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem Int 2021; 153:105268. [PMID: 34954260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The brain shows a high sensitivity to oxidative stress (OS). Thus, the maintenance of homeostasis of the brain regarding the reduction-oxidation (redox) situation is crucial for the regular function of the central nervous systems (CNS). The imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cellular mechanism might lead to the emergence of OS, causing profound cell death as well as tissue damages and initiating neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Characterized by the cytoplasmic growth of neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular β-amyloid plaques, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex NDD that causes dementia in adult life with severe manifestations. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor that regulates the functional expression of OS-related genes and the functionality of endogenous antioxidants. In the case of oxidative damage, NRF2 is transferred to the nucleus and attached to the antioxidant response element (ARE) that enhances the sequence to initiate transcription of the cell-protecting genes. This review articulates various mechanisms engaged with the generation of active and reactive species of endogenous and exogenous oxidants and focuses on the antioxidants as a body defense system regarding the NRF2-ARE signaling path in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamieh Goshtasbi
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parvin Samadi Pakchin
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Movafeghi
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jaleh Barar
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ana M Castejon
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33328, United States
| | - Hossein Omidian
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33328, United States
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33328, United States.
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32
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fpr1 functions as a chaperone to inhibit protein aggregation. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:40-50. [PMID: 34534579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Peptidyl prolyl isomerases (PPIases) accelerate the rate limiting step of protein folding by catalyzing cis/trans isomerization of peptidyl prolyl bonds. The larger PPIases have been shown to be multi-domain proteins, with functions other than isomerization of the proline-containing peptide bond. Recently, a few smaller PPIases have also been described for their ability to stabilize folding intermediates. The yeast Fpr1 (FK506-sensitive proline rotamase) is a homologue of the mammalian prolyl isomerase FKBP12 (FK506-binding protein of 12 kDa). Its ability to stabilize stressed cellular proteins has not been reported yet. We had earlier reported upregulation of Fpr1 in yeast cells exposed to proteotoxic stress conditions. In this work, we show that yeast Fpr1 exhibits characteristics typical of a general chaperone of the proteostasis network. Aggregation of mutant huntingtin fragment was higher in Fpr1-deleted as compared to parental yeast cells. Overexpression of Fpr1 led to reduced protein aggregation by decreasing the amount of oligomers and diverting the aggregation pathway towards the formation of detergent-soluble species. This correlated well with higher survival of these cells. Purified and enzymatically active yeast Fpr1 was able to inhibit aggregation of mutant huntingtin fragment and luciferase in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner; suggesting a direct action for aggregation inhibitory action of Fpr1. Overexpression of yeast Fpr1 was able to protect E. coli cells against thermal shock. This work establishes the role of Fpr1 in the protein folding network and will be used for the identification of novel pharmacological leads in disease conditions.
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33
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George DE, Tepe JJ. Advances in Proteasome Enhancement by Small Molecules. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1789. [PMID: 34944433 PMCID: PMC8699248 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The proteasome system is a large and complex molecular machinery responsible for the degradation of misfolded, damaged, and redundant cellular proteins. When proteasome function is impaired, unwanted proteins accumulate, which can lead to several diseases including age-related and neurodegenerative diseases. Enhancing proteasome-mediated substrate degradation with small molecules may therefore be a valuable strategy for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. In this review, we discuss the structure of proteasome and how proteasome's proteolytic activity is associated with aging and various neurodegenerative diseases. We also summarize various classes of compounds that are capable of enhancing, directly or indirectly, proteasome-mediated protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jetze J. Tepe
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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34
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Moreira R, Mendonça LS, Pereira de Almeida L. Extracellular Vesicles Physiological Role and the Particular Case of Disease-Spreading Mechanisms in Polyglutamine Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212288. [PMID: 34830171 PMCID: PMC8621536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research demonstrated pathological spreading of the disease-causing proteins from one focal point across other brain regions for some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Spreading mediated by extracellular vesicles is one of the proposed disease-spreading mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles are cell membrane-derived vesicles, used by cells for cell-to-cell communication and excretion of toxic components. Importantly, extracellular vesicles carrying pathological molecules, when internalized by "healthy" cells, may trigger pathological pathways and, consequently, promote disease spreading to neighboring cells. Polyglutamine diseases are a group of genetic neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of mutant misfolded proteins carrying an expanded tract of glutamines, including Huntington's and Machado-Joseph disease. The pathological spread of the misfolded proteins or the corresponding mutant mRNA has been explored. The understanding of the disease-spreading mechanism that plays a key role in the pathology progression of these diseases can result in the development of effective therapeutic approaches to stop disease progression, arresting the spread of the toxic components and disease aggravation. Therefore, the present review's main focus is the disease-spreading mechanisms with emphasis on polyglutamine diseases and the putative role played by extracellular vesicles in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Moreira
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana S. Mendonça
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.S.M.); (L.P.d.A.); Tel.: +351-239-820-190 (L.S.M.)
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.S.M.); (L.P.d.A.); Tel.: +351-239-820-190 (L.S.M.)
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35
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Sharpe JL, Harper NS, Garner DR, West RJH. Modeling C9orf72-Related Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:770937. [PMID: 34744635 PMCID: PMC8566814 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.770937] [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: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An intronic hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the decade following its discovery, much progress has been made in enhancing our understanding of how it precipitates disease. Both loss of function caused by reduced C9orf72 transcript levels, and gain of function mechanisms, triggered by the production of repetitive sense and antisense RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins, are thought to contribute to the toxicity. Drosophila models, with their unrivaled genetic tractability and short lifespan, have played a key role in developing our understanding of C9orf72-related FTD/ALS. There is no C9orf72 homolog in fly, and although this precludes investigations into loss of function toxicity, it is useful for elucidating mechanisms underpinning gain of function toxicity. To date there are a range of Drosophila C9orf72 models, encompassing different aspects of gain of function toxicity. In addition to pure repeat transgenes, which produce both repeat RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), RNA only models and DPR models have been generated to unpick the individual contributions of RNA and each dipeptide repeat protein to C9orf72 toxicity. In this review, we discuss how Drosophila models have shaped our understanding of C9orf72 gain of function toxicity, and address opportunities to utilize these models for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Sharpe
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki S Harper
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan R Garner
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan J H West
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Park YH, Pyun JM, Hodges A, Jang JW, Bice PJ, Kim S, Saykin AJ, Nho K. Dysregulated expression levels of APH1B in peripheral blood are associated with brain atrophy and amyloid-β deposition in Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:183. [PMID: 34732252 PMCID: PMC8567578 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background The interaction between the brain and periphery might play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Using blood transcriptomic profile data from two independent AD cohorts, we performed expression quantitative trait locus (cis-eQTL) analysis of 29 significant genetic loci from a recent large-scale genome-wide association study to investigate the effects of the AD genetic variants on gene expression levels and identify their potential target genes. We then performed differential gene expression analysis of identified AD target genes and linear regression analysis to evaluate the association of differentially expressed genes with neuroimaging biomarkers. Results A cis-eQTL analysis identified and replicated significant associations in seven genes (APH1B, BIN1, FCER1G, GATS, MS4A6A, RABEP1, TRIM4). APH1B expression levels in the blood increased in AD and were associated with entorhinal cortical thickness and global cortical amyloid-β deposition. Conclusion An integrative analysis of genetics, blood-based transcriptomic profiles, and imaging biomarkers suggests that APH1B expression levels in the blood might play a role in the pathogenesis of AD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-021-00919-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ho Park
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Min Pyun
- Department of Neurology, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea
| | - Angela Hodges
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jae-Won Jang
- Department of Neurology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Paula J Bice
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, and the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - SangYun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, and the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, and the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Lopez-Silva TL, Schneider JP. From structure to application: Progress and opportunities in peptide materials development. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 64:131-144. [PMID: 34329941 PMCID: PMC8585687 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
For over 20 years, peptide materials in their hydrogel or soluble fibril form have been used for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, cell culture, vaccines, and tissue regeneration. To facilitate the translation of these materials, key areas of research still need to be addressed. Their structural characterization lags compared to amyloid proteins. Many of the structural features designed to guide materials formation are primarily being characterized by their observation in atomic resolution structures of amyloid assemblies. Herein, these motifs are examined in relation to peptide designs identifying common interactions that drive assembly and provide structural specificity. Current efforts to design complex structures, as reviewed here, highlight the need to extend the structural revolution of amyloid proteins to peptide assemblies to validate design principles. With respect to clinical applications, the fundamental interactions and responses of proteins, cells, and the immune system to peptide materials are still not well understood. Only a few trends are just now emerging for peptide materials interactions with biological systems. Understanding how peptide material properties influence these interactions will enable the translation of materials towards current and emerging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania L Lopez-Silva
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Joel P Schneider
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States.
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38
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Foley AR, Raskatov JA. Understanding and controlling amyloid aggregation with chirality. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 64:1-9. [PMID: 33610939 PMCID: PMC8368077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid aggregation and human disease are inextricably linked. Examples include Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and type II diabetes. While seminal advances on the mechanistic understanding of these diseases have been made over the last decades, controlling amyloid fibril formation still represents a challenge, and it is a subject of active research. In this regard, chiral modifications have increasingly been proved to offer a particularly well-suited approach toward accessing to previously unknown aggregation pathways and to provide with novel insights on the biological mechanisms of action of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins. Here, we summarize recent advances on how the use of mirror-image peptides/proteins and d-amino acid incorporations have helped modulate amyloid aggregation, offered new mechanistic tools to study cellular interactions, and allowed us to identify key positions within the peptide/protein sequence that influence amyloid fibril growth and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro R Foley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Jevgenij A Raskatov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
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Hanczyc P, Fita P. Laser Emission of Thioflavin T Uncovers Protein Aggregation in Amyloid Nucleation Phase. ACS PHOTONICS 2021; 8:2598-2609. [PMID: 34557567 PMCID: PMC8451393 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.1c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
There is currently no definitive test for early detection of neurodegeneration which is linked with protein aggregation. Finding methods capable of detecting intermediate states of protein aggregates, named oligomers, is critical for the early stage diagnosis of over 30 neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Currently, fluorescence-based imaging using Thioflavin T (ThT) dye is the gold standard for detecting protein aggregation. It is used to detect aggregation in vitro and in various tissues, including the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whereby the disease-related protein recombinant is seeded with the patient's fluid. The major drawback of ThT is its lack of sensitivity to oligomeric forms of protein aggregates. Here, we overcome this limitation by transferring a ThT-oligomer mixture into solid state thin films and detecting fluorescence of ThT amplified in the process of stimulated emission. By monitoring the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) we achieved a remarkable recognition sensitivity to prefibrillar oligomeric forms of insulin and lysozyme aggregates in vitro, to Aβ42 oligomers in the human protein recombinants seeded with CSF and to Aβ42 oligomers doped into brain tissue. Seeding with Alzheimer patient's CSF containing Aβ42 and Tau aggregates revealed that only Aβ42 oligomers allowed generating ASE. Thus, we demonstrated that, in contrast to the current state-of-the-art, ASE of ThT, a commonly used histological dye, can be used to detect and differentiate amyloid oligomers and evaluate the risk levels of neurodegenerative diseases to potential patients before the clinical symptoms occur.
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Koike H, Iguchi Y, Sahashi K, Katsuno M. Significance of Oligomeric and Fibrillar Species in Amyloidosis: Insights into Pathophysiology and Treatment. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26165091. [PMID: 34443678 PMCID: PMC8401015 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26165091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloidosis is a term referring to a group of various protein-misfolding diseases wherein normally soluble proteins form aggregates as insoluble amyloid fibrils. How, or whether, amyloid fibrils contribute to tissue damage in amyloidosis has been the topic of debate. In vitro studies have demonstrated the appearance of small globular oligomeric species during the incubation of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ). Nerve biopsy specimens from patients with systemic amyloidosis have suggested that globular structures similar to Aβ oligomers were generated from amorphous electron-dense materials and later developed into mature amyloid fibrils. Schwann cells adjacent to amyloid fibrils become atrophic and degenerative, suggesting that the direct tissue damage induced by amyloid fibrils plays an important role in systemic amyloidosis. In contrast, there is increasing evidence that oligomers, rather than amyloid fibrils, are responsible for cell death in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Disease-modifying therapies based on the pathophysiology of amyloidosis have now become available. Aducanumab, a human monoclonal antibody against the aggregated form of Aβ, was recently approved for Alzheimer’s disease, and other monoclonal antibodies, including gantenerumab, solanezumab, and lecanemab, could also be up for approval. As many other agents for amyloidosis will be developed in the future, studies to develop sensitive clinical scales for identifying improvement and markers that can act as surrogates for clinical scales should be conducted.
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Mallucci GR, Klenerman D, Rubinsztein DC. Developing Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders: Insights from Protein Aggregation and Cellular Stress Responses. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2021; 36:165-189. [PMID: 33021824 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-040320-120625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
As the world's population ages, neurodegenerative disorders are poised to become the commonest cause of death. Despite this, they remain essentially untreatable. Characterized pathologically both by the aggregation of disease-specific misfolded proteins and by changes in cellular stress responses, to date, therapeutic approaches have focused almost exclusively on reducing misfolded protein load-notably amyloid beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease. The repeated failure of clinical trials has led to despondency over the possibility that these disorders will ever be treated. We argue that this is in fact a time for optimism: Targeting various generic stress responses is emerging as an increasingly promising means of modifying disease progression across these disorders. New treatments are approaching clinical trials, while novel means of targeting aggregates could eventually act preventively in early disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna R Mallucci
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, United Kingdom; .,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, United Kingdom
| | - David Klenerman
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, United Kingdom; .,Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - David C Rubinsztein
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AH, United Kingdom; .,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
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Wagalgave SM, Birajdar SS, Malegaonkar JN, Bhosale SV. Patented AIE materials for biomedical applications. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 185:199-223. [PMID: 34782106 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In recent years aggregation induced emission (AIE) concept has attracted researcher's interest worldwide. Several organic building blocks are developed as AIE materials. This chapter discusses the patented AIE material and their utilization related in biological, medicinal and biotechnology fields. It is demonstrated that AIE chromophores such as tetraphenylethylene (TPE) as well as other AIE building blocks became important fluorescent emissive bioactive materials. Such emissive materials are widely employed as bioprobes for the detection of mitochondria, cellular imaging and tracking, protein carrier detection of S-phase DNA, detection of d-glucose, visualization of cancer treatment, drug screening, image-guided therapy, bacterial imaging, photodynamic therapy and drug screening. Such AIE materials upon imaging in cellular environment displays significant enhancement of fluorescence emission. Such patented AIE chromophores has a great potential for bioimaging and biomedical applications. In this chapter we compile some patented representative examples to explore their bioimaging/medicinal imaging applications since lot of new inventions are reported every day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sopan M Wagalgave
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shailesh S Birajdar
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jotiram N Malegaonkar
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sidhanath Vishwanath Bhosale
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Bichmann M, Prat Oriol N, Ercan-Herbst E, Schöndorf DC, Gomez Ramos B, Schwärzler V, Neu M, Schlüter A, Wang X, Jin L, Hu C, Tian Y, Ried JS, Haberkant P, Gasparini L, Ehrnhoefer DE. SETD7-mediated monomethylation is enriched on soluble Tau in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:46. [PMID: 34215303 PMCID: PMC8254302 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by alterations in the post-translational modification (PTM) pattern of Tau, which parallel the formation of insoluble Tau aggregates, neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. While PTMs on aggregated Tau have been studied in detail, much less is known about the modification patterns of soluble Tau. Furthermore, PTMs other than phosphorylation have only come into focus recently and are still understudied. Soluble Tau species are likely responsible for the spreading of pathology during disease progression and are currently being investigated as targets for immunotherapies. A better understanding of their biochemical properties is thus of high importance. METHODS We used a mass spectrometry approach to characterize Tau PTMs on a detergent-soluble fraction of human AD and control brain tissue, which led to the discovery of novel lysine methylation events. We developed specific antibodies against Tau methylated at these sites and biochemically characterized methylated Tau species in extracts from human brain, the rTg4510 mouse model and in hiPSC-derived neurons. RESULTS Our study demonstrates that methylated Tau levels increase with Tau pathology stage in human AD samples as well as in a mouse model of Tauopathy. Methylated Tau is enriched in soluble brain extracts and is not associated with hyperphosphorylated, high molecular weight Tau species. We also show that in hiPSC-derived neurons and mouse brain, methylated Tau preferentially localizes to the cell soma and nuclear fractions and is absent from neurites. Knock down and inhibitor studies supported by proteomics data led to the identification of SETD7 as a novel lysine methyltransferase for Tau. SETD7 specifically methylates Tau at K132, an event that facilitates subsequent methylation at K130. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that methylated Tau has a specific somatic and nuclear localization, suggesting that the methylation of soluble Tau species may provide a signal for their translocation to different subcellular compartments. Since the mislocalization and depletion of Tau from axons is associated with tauopathies, our findings may shed light onto this disease-associated phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bichmann
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nuria Prat Oriol
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Present address: Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ebru Ercan-Herbst
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David C Schöndorf
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Borja Gomez Ramos
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Present address: Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Vera Schwärzler
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie Neu
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Annabelle Schlüter
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Xue Wang
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center (ABC), 100 Research Dr, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Liang Jin
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center (ABC), 100 Research Dr, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Chenqi Hu
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center (ABC), 100 Research Dr, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Yu Tian
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center (ABC), 100 Research Dr, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Janina S Ried
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Genomics Research Center, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Per Haberkant
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Gasparini
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Dagmar E Ehrnhoefer
- BioMed X Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstr. 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
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Moreira L, Costa C, Pires J, Teixeira JP, Fraga S. How can exposure to engineered nanomaterials influence our epigenetic code? A review of the mechanisms and molecular targets. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2021; 788:108385. [PMID: 34893164 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that engineered nanomaterials (ENM) can induce epigenetic modifications. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic modulation of gene expression induced by ENM used in a variety of applications: titanium dioxide (TiO2), silver (Ag), gold (Au), silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and carbon-based nanomaterials (CNM). Exposure to these ENM can trigger alterations in cell patterns of DNA methylation, post-transcriptional histone modifications and expression of non-coding RNA. Such effects are dependent on ENM dose and physicochemical properties including size, shape and surface chemistry, as well as on the cell/organism sensitivity. The genes affected are mostly involved in the regulation of the epigenetic machinery itself, as well as in apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA repair and inflammation related pathways, whose long-term alterations might lead to the onset or progression of certain pathologies. In addition, some DNA methylation patterns may be retained as a form of epigenetic memory. Prenatal exposure to ENM may impair the normal development of the offspring by transplacental effects and/or putative transmission of epimutations in imprinting genes. Thus, understanding the impact of ENM on the epigenome is of paramount importance and epigenetic evaluation must be considered when assessing the risk of ENM to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Moreira
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carla Costa
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Pires
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Paulo Teixeira
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Fraga
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
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Sankorrakul K, Qian L, Thangnipon W, Coulson EJ. Is there a role for the p75 neurotrophin receptor in mediating degeneration during oxidative stress and after hypoxia? J Neurochem 2021; 158:1292-1306. [PMID: 34109634 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic basal forebrain (cBF) neurons are particularly vulnerable to degeneration following trauma and in neurodegenerative conditions. One reason for this is their characteristic expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR ), which is up-regulated and mediates neuronal death in a range of neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia, stroke and ischaemia. The signalling pathway by which p75NTR signals cell death is incompletely characterised, but typically involves activation by neurotrophic ligands and signalling through c-Jun kinase, resulting in caspase activation via mitochondrial apoptotic signalling pathways. Less well appreciated is the link between conditions of oxidative stress and p75NTR death signalling. Here, we review the literature describing what is currently known regarding p75NTR death signalling in environments of oxidative stress and hypoxia to highlight the overlap in signalling pathways and the implications for p75NTR signalling in cBF neurons. We propose that there is a causal relationship and define key questions to test this assertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornraviya Sankorrakul
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia.,Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| | - Lei Qian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia
| | - Wipawan Thangnipon
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth J Coulson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld., Australia
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Fiolek TJ, Keel KL, Tepe JJ. Fluspirilene Analogs Activate the 20S Proteasome and Overcome Proteasome Impairment by Intrinsically Disordered Protein Oligomers. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1438-1448. [PMID: 33788542 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligomerization of aggregation-prone intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), such as α-synuclein, amyloid β, and tau, has been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The proteasome is charged with regulating cellular levels of IDPs, but this degradation pathway can become dysregulated leading to their accumulation and subsequent aggregation. Although the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases is still under intense investigation, it has been shown that the oligomeric forms of IDPs, including α-synuclein and amyloid β, can impair proteasome function. This leads to additional accumulation of the IDPs, further promoting disease progression. Herein, we report the use of small molecule activators of the 20S subcomplex of the proteasome to restore impaired 20S proteasome activity and prevent IDP accumulation and oligomerization. We found that fluspirilene and its new synthetic analog (16) show strong 20S proteasome enhancement (doubling 20S proteolytic activity at ∼2 μM, with maximum fold enhancement of ∼1000%), overcome impaired proteasome function, and prevent the accumulation of pathogenic IDPs. These findings provide support for the use of 20S enhancers as a possible therapeutic strategy to combat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Fiolek
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Katarina L. Keel
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jetze J. Tepe
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Moelgg K, Jummun F, Humpel C. Spreading of Beta-Amyloid in Organotypic Mouse Brain Slices and Microglial Elimination and Effects on Cholinergic Neurons. Biomolecules 2021; 11:434. [PMID: 33804246 PMCID: PMC7999593 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) is one of the major characteristics in Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The "spreading hypothesis" suggests that a pathological protein (similar to prions) spreads over the entire brain. The aim of the present study was to use organotypic brain slices of postnatal day 8-10 mice. Using collagen hydrogels, we applied different Aβ peptides onto brain slices and analyzed spreading as well as glial reactions after eight weeks of incubation. Our data showed that from all tested Aβ peptides, human Aβ42 had the most potent activity to spread over into adjacent "target" areas. This effect was potentiated when brain slices from transgenic AD mice (APP_SweDI) were cultured. When different brain areas were connected to the "target slice" the spreading activity was more intense, originating from ventral striatum and brain stem. Reactive glial-fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrogliosis increased over time, but Aβ depositions co-localized only with Iba1+ microglia but not with astrocytes. Application of human Aβ42 did not cause a degeneration of cholinergic neurons. We concluded that human Aβ42 spreads over into other "target areas", causing activation of glial cells. Most of the spread Aβ42 was taken up by microglia, and thus toxic free Aβ could not damage cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian Humpel
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer’s Research, Department Psychiatry I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.M.); (F.J.)
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Gonzalez-Garcia M, Fusco G, De Simone A. Membrane Interactions and Toxicity by Misfolded Protein Oligomers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:642623. [PMID: 33791300 PMCID: PMC8006268 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The conversion of otherwise soluble proteins into insoluble amyloid aggregates is associated with a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as non-neuropathic conditions such as type II diabetes and systemic amyloidoses. It is increasingly evident that the most pernicious species among those forming during protein aggregation are small prefibrillar oligomers. In this review, we describe the recent progress in the characterization of the cellular and molecular interactions by toxic misfolded protein oligomers. A fundamental interaction by these aggregates involves biological membranes, resulting in two major model mechanisms at the onset of the cellular toxicity. These include the membrane disruption model, resulting in calcium imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction and intracellular reactive oxygen species, and the direct interaction with membrane proteins, leading to the alteration of their native function. A key challenge remains in the characterization of transient interactions involving heterogeneous protein aggregates. Solving this task is crucial in the quest of identifying suitable therapeutic approaches to suppress the cellular toxicity in protein misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Gonzalez-Garcia
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, United Kingdom
| | - Giuliana Fusco
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alfonso De Simone
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lee YS, Lai DM, Huang HJ, Lee-Chen GJ, Chang CH, Hsieh-Li HM, Lee GC. Prebiotic Lactulose Ameliorates the Cognitive Deficit in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model through Macroautophagy and Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Pathways. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:2422-2437. [PMID: 33617267 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lactulose, as a prebiotic, can be utilized by human gut microbiota and stimulate their growth. Although microbiota modulation has become an emerging approach to manage many diseases and can be achieved by the administration of prebiotics, fewer investigations have been carried out on the therapeutic mechanism of lactulose. Two trehalose analogs, lactulose and melibiose, were identified as having a neuroprotective effect in polyglutamine and Parkinson disease models. In this study, we examined lactulose and melibiose in a mouse primary hippocampal neuronal culture under the toxicity of oligomeric Aβ25-35. Lactulose was further tested in vivo because its effective concentration is lower than that of melibiose. Lactulose and trehalose were applied individually to mice before a bilateral intrahippocampal CA1 injection of oligomeric Aβ25-35. The administration of lactulose and trehalose attenuated the short-term memory and the learning retrieval of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. From a pathological analysis, we found that the pretreatment of lactulose and trehalose decreased neuroinflammation and increased the levels of the autophagic pathways. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of both lactulose and trehalose are achieved through anti-inflammation and autophagy. In addition, lactulose was better than trehalose in the enhancement of the synaptic protein expression level in AD mice. Therefore, lactulose could potentially be developed into a preventive and/or therapeutic disaccharide for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Suan Lee
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Dar-Ming Lai
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Hei-Jen Huang
- Department of Nursing, Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Jen Lee-Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hwa Chang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu Mei Hsieh-Li
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Chiun Lee
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
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50
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Nguyen PH, Ramamoorthy A, Sahoo BR, Zheng J, Faller P, Straub JE, Dominguez L, Shea JE, Dokholyan NV, De Simone A, Ma B, Nussinov R, Najafi S, Ngo ST, Loquet A, Chiricotto M, Ganguly P, McCarty J, Li MS, Hall C, Wang Y, Miller Y, Melchionna S, Habenstein B, Timr S, Chen J, Hnath B, Strodel B, Kayed R, Lesné S, Wei G, Sterpone F, Doig AJ, Derreumaux P. Amyloid Oligomers: A Joint Experimental/Computational Perspective on Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Type II Diabetes, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Chem Rev 2021; 121:2545-2647. [PMID: 33543942 PMCID: PMC8836097 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation is observed in many amyloidogenic diseases affecting either the central nervous system or a variety of peripheral tissues. Structural and dynamic characterization of all species along the pathways from monomers to fibrils is challenging by experimental and computational means because they involve intrinsically disordered proteins in most diseases. Yet understanding how amyloid species become toxic is the challenge in developing a treatment for these diseases. Here we review what computer, in vitro, in vivo, and pharmacological experiments tell us about the accumulation and deposition of the oligomers of the (Aβ, tau), α-synuclein, IAPP, and superoxide dismutase 1 proteins, which have been the mainstream concept underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), type II diabetes (T2D), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, respectively, for many years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H Nguyen
- CNRS, UPR9080, Université de Paris, Laboratory of Theoretical Biochemistry, IBPC, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
| | - Bikash R Sahoo
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Peter Faller
- Institut de Chimie, UMR 7177, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - John E Straub
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Laura Dominguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Joan-Emma Shea
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Department of Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Alfonso De Simone
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- Molecular Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Sackler Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Saeed Najafi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Son Tung Ngo
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics & Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, 33000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Antoine Loquet
- Institute of Chemistry & Biology of Membranes & Nanoobjects, (UMR5248 CBMN), CNRS, Université Bordeaux, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Mara Chiricotto
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Pritam Ganguly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - James McCarty
- Chemistry Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225, United States
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute for Computational Science and Technology, SBI Building, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carol Hall
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, United States
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, United States
| | - Yifat Miller
- Department of Chemistry and The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel
| | | | - Birgit Habenstein
- Institute of Chemistry & Biology of Membranes & Nanoobjects, (UMR5248 CBMN), CNRS, Université Bordeaux, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Stepan Timr
- CNRS, UPR9080, Université de Paris, Laboratory of Theoretical Biochemistry, IBPC, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Jiaxing Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Brianna Hnath
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Birgit Strodel
- Institute of Complex Systems: Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Sylvain Lesné
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Science, Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Fabio Sterpone
- CNRS, UPR9080, Université de Paris, Laboratory of Theoretical Biochemistry, IBPC, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Andrew J Doig
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Philippe Derreumaux
- CNRS, UPR9080, Université de Paris, Laboratory of Theoretical Biochemistry, IBPC, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
- Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry, Ton Duc Thang University, 33000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, 33000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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