Pro-apoptotic protein glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promotes the formation of Lewy body-like inclusions

Factors Affecting Pathological Amyloid Protein Transformation: From Post-Translational Modifications to Chaperones

The review discusses the influence of various factors (e.g., post-translational modifications and chaperones) on the pathological transformation of amyloidogenic proteins involved in the onset and development of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) and spongiform encephalopathies of various origin with special focus on the role of α-synuclein, prion protein, and, to a lesser extent, beta-amyloid peptide. The factors investigated by the authors of this review are discussed in more detail, including posttranslational modifications (glycation and S-nitrosylation), cinnamic acid derivatives and dendrimers, and chaperonins (eukaryotic, bacterial, and phage). A special section is devoted to the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of amyloid neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, its involvement in the transformation of infectious prions and possibly other proteins capable of prion-like transmission of amyloidogenic diseases.

ASS1 deficiency is associated with impaired neuronal differentiation in zebrafish larvae

Citrullinemia type 1 (CTLN1) is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder caused by deficiency of the cytosolic enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1) due to pathogenic variants in the ASS1 gene located on chromosome 9q34.11. Even though hyperammenomia is considered the major pathomechanistic factor for neurological impairment and cognitive dysfunction, a relevant subset of individuals presents with a neurodegenerative course in the absence of hyperammonemic decompensations. Here we show, that ASS1 deficiency induced by antisense-mediated knockdown of the zebrafish ASS1 homologue is associated with defective neuronal differentiation ultimately causing neuronal cell loss and consecutively decreased brain size in zebrafish larvae in vivo. Whereas ASS1-deficient zebrafish larvae are characterized by markedly elevated concentrations of citrulline - the biochemical hallmark of CTLN1, accumulation of L-citrulline, hyperammonemia or therewith associated secondary metabolic alterations did not account for the observed phenotype. Intriguingly, coinjection of the human ASS1 mRNA not only normalized citrulline concentration but also reversed the morphological cerebral phenotype and restored brain size, confirming conserved functional properties of ASS1 across species. The results of the present study imply a novel, potentially non-enzymatic (moonlighting) function of the ASS1 protein in neurodevelopment.

Potential Molecular Mechanism of Guishao Pingchan Recipe in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Objective: To investigate the potential mechanism of Guishao Pingchan Recipe (GPR) against Parkinson's disease (PD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The main components of GPR were collected based on TCMSP database, Batman-TCM database, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Literatures. The potential therapeutic targets of PD were predicted by Drug Bank Database and Gene Cards database. Cytoscape 3.8.2 software was used to construct herb–component–target network. Then, String database was used to construct a PPI network, and DAVID database was used for gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation of targets function. Core components of GPR and hub targets were imported into AutoDock Vina for molecular docking verification and results were visualized by Pymol. Results: 13 candidate components were selected and 288 corresponding targets of GPR for treating PD were obtained. The GO enrichment analysis mainly involved 135 cell components, 187 molecular functions, and 1753 biological processes. Moreover, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis mainly involved 200 signaling pathways. Molecular docking simulation indicated a good binding ability of components and targets. Conclusion: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, we found that sitosterol, 4-Cholesten-3-one and stigmasterol in GPR could combine with MAPK3, APP, VEGFA, and CXCR4 and involved in the cAMP, PI3K/Akt, Rap1 signaling pathways. It is suggested that GPR may have therapeutic effects on PD through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway and predict the relevant mechanism of the anti-PD effect of GPR.

α-Synuclein Overexpression in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells Leads to the Accumulation of Thioflavin S-positive Aggregates and Impairment of Glycolysis

Deterioration of energy metabolism in affected cells is an important feature of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease. Here, we studied the association between α-synuclein accumulation and glycolysis using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines stably expressing wild-type α-synuclein or its A53T mutant linked to the autosomal dominant form of the disease. Overexpression of both proteins led to the accumulation of thioflavin S-positive aggregates, more pronounced for α-synuclein A53T. It also caused changes in the cell energy metabolism manifested as a decrease in the lactate accumulation and glucose uptake. Impairments in glycolysis were also accompanied by a decrease in the activity of the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). In vitro experiments with purified proteins indicated that GAPDH inactivation might be caused by its binding to the monomeric and oligomeric forms of α-synuclein. Therefore, a decrease in the GAPDH activity induced by its interaction with α-synuclein, might be one of the causes of glucose metabolism deterioration in synucleinopathies.

Glycation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibits the binding with α-synuclein and RNA

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) shows great diversity of functions, interaction partners and post-translational modifications. GAPDH undergoes glycation of positively charged residues in diabetic patient's tissues and therefore may change interaction with partners. The influence of GAPDH glycation on interaction with two important partners, α-synuclein and RNA, has been investigated in silico using molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro using surface plasmon resonance measurements. Since positively charged groove including substrate- and NAD⁺-binding sites is proposed as potential binding site for α-synuclein and RNA, GAPDH was glycated on residues in grooves and randomly distributed over the whole surface. Lysine residues were replaced with negatively charged carboxymethyl lysine as a widespread advanced glycation end product. As results, GAPDH glycation suppressed the interaction with α-synuclein and RNA. Although the modified GAPDH residues participated in binding with α-synuclein, no stable binding site with both glycated forms was observed. Glycation along the whole GAPDH surface completely suppressed interaction with RNA, whereas the alternative possible RNA binding site was identified in case of groove glycation. The findings were supported by direct measurement of the binding affinity. The obtained results clarify effect of glycation on GAPDH interaction with α-synuclein and RNA and elucidate a possible mechanism of interplay between glycation occurred in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, which GAPDH and α-synuclein are involved in.

The Writers, Readers, and Erasers in Redox Regulation of GAPDH

Glyceraldehyde 3–phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key glycolytic enzyme, which is crucial for the breakdown of glucose to provide cellular energy. Over the past decade, GAPDH has been reported to be one of the most prominent cellular targets of post-translational modifications (PTMs), which divert GAPDH toward different non-glycolytic functions. Hence, it is termed a moonlighting protein. During metabolic and oxidative stress, GAPDH is a target of different oxidative PTMs (oxPTM), e.g., sulfenylation, S-thiolation, nitrosylation, and sulfhydration. These modifications alter the enzyme’s conformation, subcellular localization, and regulatory interactions with downstream partners, which impact its glycolytic and non-glycolytic functions. In this review, we discuss the redox regulation of GAPDH by different redox writers, which introduce the oxPTM code on GAPDH to instruct a redox response; the GAPDH readers, which decipher the oxPTM code through regulatory interactions and coordinate cellular response via the formation of multi-enzyme signaling complexes; and the redox erasers, which are the reducing systems that regenerate the GAPDH catalytic activity. Human pathologies associated with the oxidation-induced dysregulation of GAPDH are also discussed, featuring the importance of the redox regulation of GAPDH in neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders.

Influence of Oxidative Stress on Catalytic and Non-glycolytic Functions of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase

BACKGROUND

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a unique enzyme that, besides its main function in glycolysis (catalysis of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate oxidation), possesses a number of non-glycolytic activities. The present review summarizes information on the role of oxidative stress in the regulation of the enzymatic activity as well as non-glycolytic functions of GAPDH.

METHODS

Based on the analysis of literature data and the results obtained in our research group, mechanisms of the regulation of GAPDH functions through the oxidation of the sulfhydryl groups in the active site of the enzyme have been suggested.

RESULTS

Mechanism of GAPDH oxidation includes consecutive oxidation of the catalytic Cysteine (Cys150) into sulfenic, sulfinic, and sulfonic acid derivatives, resulting in the complete inactivation of the enzyme. The cysteine sulfenic acid reacts with reduced glutathione (GSH) to form a mixed disulfide (S-glutathionylated GAPDH) that further reacts with Cys154 yielding the disulfide bond in the active site of the enzyme. In contrast to the sulfinic and sulfonic acids, the mixed disulfide and the intramolecular disulfide bond are reversible oxidation products that can be reduced in the presence of GSH or thioredoxin.

CONCLUSION

Oxidation of sulfhydryl groups in the active site of GAPDH is unavoidable due to the enhanced reactivity of Cys150. The irreversible oxidation of Cys150 is prevented by Sglutathionylation and disulfide bonding with Cys154. The oxidation/reduction of the sulfhydryl groups in the active site of GAPDH can be used for regulation of glycolysis and numerous side activities of this enzyme including the induction of apoptosis.

Moonlighting glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase: posttranslational modification, protein and nucleic acid interactions in normal cells and in human pathology

Moonlighting glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) exhibits multiple functions separate and distinct from its historic role in energy production. Further, it exhibits dynamic changes in its subcellular localization which is an a priori requirement for its multiple activities. Separately, moonlighting GAPDH may function in the pathology of human disease, involved in tumorigenesis, diabetes, and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. It is suggested that moonlighting GAPDH function may be related to specific modifications of its protein structure as well as the formation of GAPDH protein: protein or GAPDH protein: nucleic acid complexes.

Causative Links between Protein Aggregation and Oxidative Stress: A Review

Compelling evidence supports a tight link between oxidative stress and protein aggregation processes, which are noticeably involved in the development of proteinopathies, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and prion disease. The literature is tremendously rich in studies that establish a functional link between both processes, revealing that oxidative stress can be either causative, or consecutive, to protein aggregation. Because oxidative stress monitoring is highly challenging and may often lead to artefactual results, cutting-edge technical tools have been developed recently in the redox field, improving the ability to measure oxidative perturbations in biological systems. This review aims at providing an update of the previously known functional links between oxidative stress and protein aggregation, thereby revisiting the long-established relationship between both processes.

Regulation of Autophagy by Nuclear GAPDH and Its Aggregates in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Several studies indicate that the cytosolic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) has pleiotropic functions independent of its canonical role in glycolysis. The GAPDH functional diversity is mainly due to post-translational modifications in different amino acid residues or due to protein–protein interactions altering its localization from cytosol to nucleus, mitochondria or extracellular microenvironment. Non-glycolytic functions of GAPDH include the regulation of cell death, autophagy, DNA repair and RNA export, and they are observed in physiological and pathological conditions as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In disease, the knowledge of the mechanisms regarding GAPDH-mediated cell death is becoming fundamental for the identification of novel therapies. Here, we elucidate the correlation between autophagy and GAPDH in cancer, describing the molecular mechanisms involved and its impact in cancer development. Since autophagy is a degradative pathway associated with the regulation of cell death, we discuss recent evidence supporting GAPDH as a therapeutic target for autophagy regulation in cancer therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the molecular mechanisms and the cellular effects of GAPDH aggregates, which are correlated with mitochondrial malfunctions and can be considered a potential therapeutic target for various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Oxidatively modified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in neurodegenerative processes and the role of low molecular weight compounds in counteracting its aggregation and nuclear translocation

A number of independent studies have shown the contribution of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, GAPDH aggregates have been found in many post-mortem samples of brains of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson disease. Currently, it is accepted that GAPDH-mediated cell death pathways in the neurodegenerative processes are associated with apoptosis caused by GAPDH nuclear translocation and excessive aggregation under oxidative stress conditions. Also the role of GAPDH in neurodegenerative diseases is linked to it directly binding to specific amyloidogenic proteins and petides such as β-amyloid precursor protein, β-amyloid peptide and tau protein in Alzheimer's disease, huntingtin in Huntington's disease and α-synuclein in Parkinson disease. One of the latest studies indicated that GAPDH aggregates significantly accelerate amyloidogenesis of the β-amyloid peptide, which implies that aggregates of GAPDH may act as a specific aggregation "seed" in vitro. Previous detailed studies revealed that the active-site cysteine (Cys152) of GAPDH plays an essential role in the oxidative stress-induced aggregation of GAPDH associated with cell death. Furthermore, oxidative modification of this cysteine residue initiates the translocation of the enzyme to the nucleus, subsequently leading to apoptosis. The crystallographic structure of GAPDH shows that the Cys152 residue is located close to the surface of the molecule in a hydrophilic environment, which means that it can react with low molecular weight compounds such as hydroxynonenal or piceatannol. Therefore, it is highly possible that GAPDH may serve as a target for small molecule compounds with the potential to slow down or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Recently appearing new evidence has highlighted the significance of low molecular weight compounds in counteracting the oxidation of GAPDH and consequently its aggregation and other unfavourable pathological processes. Hence, this review aims to present all recent findings concerning molecules that are able to interact with GAPDH and counteract its aggregation and translocation to the nucleus.

Lessons learned from protein aggregation: toward technological and biomedical applications

The close relationship between protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases has been the driving force behind the renewed interest in a field where biophysics, neurobiology and nanotechnology converge in the study of the aggregate state. On one hand, knowledge of the molecular principles that govern the processes of protein aggregation has a direct impact on the design of new drugs for high-incidence pathologies that currently can only be treated palliatively. On the other hand, exploiting the benefits of protein aggregation in the design of new nanomaterials could have a strong impact on biotechnology. Here we review the contributions of our research group on novel neuroprotective strategies developed using a purely biophysical approach. First, we examine how doxycycline, a well-known and innocuous antibiotic, can reshape α-synuclein oligomers into non-toxic high-molecular-weight species with decreased ability to destabilize biological membranes, affect cell viability and form additional toxic species. This mechanism can be exploited to diminish the toxicity of α-synuclein oligomers in Parkinson's disease. Second, we discuss a novel function in proteostasis for extracellular glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in combination with a specific glycosaminoglycan (GAG) present in the extracellular matrix. GAPDH, by changing its quaternary structure from a tetramer to protofibrillar assembly, can kidnap toxic species of α-synuclein, and thereby interfere with the spreading of the disease. Finally, we review a brighter side of protein aggregation, that of exploiting the physicochemical advantages of amyloid aggregates as nanomaterials. For this, we designed a new generation of insoluble biocatalysts based on the binding of photo-immobilized enzymes onto hybrid protein:GAG amyloid nanofibrils. These new nanomaterials can be easily functionalized by attaching different enzymes through dityrosine covalent bonds.

Inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by the dopamine metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde

BACKGROUND

The aldehyde metabolite of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) is an endogenous neurotoxin implicated in Parkinson's Disease. Elucidating protein targets of DOPAL is essential in understanding it's pathology. The enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a target of DOPAL.

METHODS

GAPDH activity was measured via reduction of NAD⁺ cofactor (340 nm). Protein aggregation was assessed with SDS-PAGE methods and specific modification via chemical probes.

RESULTS

Low micromolar levels of DOPAL caused extensive GAPDH aggregation and irreversibly inhibited enzyme activity. The inactivation of GAPDH was dependent on both the catechol and aldehyde moieties of DOPAL. It is suggested that Cys are modified and oxidized by DOPAL.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism by which DOPAL modifies GAPDH can serve as a mechanistic explanation to the pathological events in Parkinson's Disease.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) Aggregation Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction during Oxidative Stress-induced Cell Death

Glycolytic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a multifunctional protein that also mediates cell death under oxidative stress. We reported previously that the active-site cysteine (Cys-152) of GAPDH plays an essential role in oxidative stress-induced aggregation of GAPDH associated with cell death, and a C152A-GAPDH mutant rescues nitric oxide (NO)-induced cell death by interfering with the aggregation of wild type (WT)-GAPDH. However, the detailed mechanism underlying GAPDH aggregate-induced cell death remains elusive. Here we report that NO-induced GAPDH aggregation specifically causes mitochondrial dysfunction. First, we observed a correlation between NO-induced GAPDH aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction, when GAPDH aggregation occurred at mitochondria in SH-SY5Y cells. In isolated mitochondria, aggregates of WT-GAPDH directly induced mitochondrial swelling and depolarization, whereas mixtures containing aggregates of C152A-GAPDH reduced mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, treatment with cyclosporin A improved WT-GAPDH aggregate-induced swelling and depolarization. In doxycycline-inducible SH-SY5Y cells, overexpression of WT-GAPDH augmented NO-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and increased mitochondrial GAPDH aggregation, whereas induced overexpression of C152A-GAPDH significantly suppressed mitochondrial impairment. Further, NO-induced cytochrome c release into the cytosol and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria were both augmented in cells overexpressing WT-GAPDH but ameliorated in C152A-GAPDH-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, GAPDH aggregates induced necrotic cell death via a permeability transition pore (PTP) opening. The expression of either WT- or C152A-GAPDH did not affect other cell death pathways associated with protein aggregation, such as proteasome inhibition, gene expression induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress, or autophagy. Collectively, these results suggest that NO-induced GAPDH aggregation specifically induces mitochondrial dysfunction via PTP opening, leading to cell death.

Homocysteine induces glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase acetylation and apoptosis in the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a

High plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) promote the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism by which Hcy mediates neurotoxicity has not been elucidated. We observed that upon incubation with Hcy, the viability of a neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a declined in a dose-dependent manner, and apoptosis was induced within 48 h. The median effective concentration (EC₅₀) of Hcy was approximately 5 mM. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) nuclear translocation and acylation has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis. We found that nuclear translocation and acetylation of GAPDH increased in the presence of 5 mM Hcy and that higher levels of acetyltransferase p300/CBP were detected in Neuro2a cells. These findings implicate the involvement of GAPDH in the mechanism whereby Hcy induces apoptosis in neurons. This study highlights a potentially important pathway in neurodegenerative disorders, and a novel target pathway for neuroprotective therapy.

Active site cysteine-null glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) rescues nitric oxide-induced cell death

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a homotetrameric enzyme involved in a key step of glycolysis, also has a role in mediating cell death under nitrosative stress. Our previous reports suggest that nitric oxide-induced intramolecular disulfide-bonding GAPDH aggregation, which occurs through oxidation of the active site cysteine (Cys-152), participates in a mechanism to account for nitric oxide-induced death signaling in some neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate a rescue strategy for nitric oxide-induced cell death accompanied by GAPDH aggregation in a mutant with a substitution of Cys-152 to alanine (C152A-GAPDH). Pre-incubation of purified wild-type GAPDH with C152A-GAPDH under exposure to nitric oxide inhibited wild-type GAPDH aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. Several lines of structural analysis revealed that C152A-GAPDH extensively interfered with nitric oxide-induced GAPDH-amyloidogenesis. Overexpression of doxycycline-inducible C152A-GAPDH in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma significantly rescued nitric oxide-induced death, concomitant with the decreased formation of GAPDH aggregates. Further, both co-immunoprecipitation assays and simulation models revealed a heterotetramer composed of one dimer each of wild-type GAPDH and C152A-GAPDH. These results suggest that the C152A-GAPDH mutant acts as a dominant-negative molecule against GAPDH aggregation via the formation of this GAPDH heterotetramer. This study may contribute to a new therapeutic approach utilizing C152A-GAPDH against brain damage in nitrosative stress-related disorders.

Bypassing hazard of housekeeping genes: their evaluation in rat granule neurons treated with cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis subjects

Gene expression studies employing real-time PCR has become an intrinsic part of biomedical research. Appropriate normalization of target gene transcript(s) based on stably expressed housekeeping genes is crucial in individual experimental conditions to obtain accurate results. In multiple sclerosis (MS), several gene expression studies have been undertaken, however, the suitability of housekeeping genes to express stably in this disease is not yet explored. Recent research suggests that their expression level may vary under different experimental conditions. Hence it is indispensible to evaluate their expression stability to accurately normalize target gene transcripts. The present study aims to evaluate the expression stability of seven housekeeping genes in rat granule neurons treated with cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients. The selected reference genes were quantified by real time PCR and their expression stability was assessed using GeNorm and NormFinder algorithms. GeNorm identified transferrin receptor (Tfrc) and microglobulin beta-2 (B2m) the most stable genes followed by ribosomal protein L19 (Rpl19) whereas β-actin (ActB) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (Gapdh) the most fluctuated ones in these neurons. NormFinder identified Tfrc as the best invariable gene followed by B2m and Rpl19. ActB and Gapdh were the least stable genes as analyzed by NormFinder algorithm. Both methods reported Tfrc and B2m the most stably expressed genes and Gapdh the least stable one. Altogether our data demonstrate the significance of pre-validation of housekeeping genes for accurate normalization and indicates Tfrc and B2m as best endogenous controls in MS. ActB and Gapdh are not recommended in gene expression studies related to current one.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Aggregates Accelerate Amyloid-β Amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of neurons and formation of pathological extracellular deposits induced by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). Numerous studies have established Aβ amyloidogenesis as a hallmark of AD pathogenesis, particularly with respect to mitochondrial dysfunction. We have previously shown that glycolytic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) forms amyloid-like aggregates upon exposure to oxidative stress and that these aggregates contribute to neuronal cell death. Here, we report that GAPDH aggregates accelerate Aβ amyloidogenesis and subsequent neuronal cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Co-incubation of Aβ40 with small amounts of GAPDH aggregates significantly enhanced Aβ40 amyloidogenesis, as assessed by in vitro thioflavin-T assays. Similarly, structural analyses using Congo red staining, circular dichroism, and atomic force microscopy revealed that GAPDH aggregates induced Aβ40 amyloidogenesis. In PC12 cells, GAPDH aggregates augmented Aβ40-induced cell death, concomitant with disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, mice injected intracerebroventricularly with Aβ40 co-incubated with GAPDH aggregates exhibited Aβ40-induced pyramidal cell death and gliosis in the hippocampal CA3 region. These observations were accompanied by nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor and cytosolic release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Finally, in the 3×Tg-AD mouse model of AD, GAPDH/Aβ co-aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction were consistently detected in an age-dependent manner, and Aβ aggregate formation was attenuated by GAPDH siRNA treatment. Thus, this study suggests that GAPDH aggregates accelerate Aβ amyloidogenesis, subsequently leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death in the pathogenesis of AD.

Genetic variants in GAPDH confer susceptibility to sporadic Parkinson's disease in a Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a part of Lewy body inclusions and involves the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it remains unknown whether or not genetic variation at the GAPDH locus contributes to the risk for PD.

METHODS

A total of 302 sporadic PD patients and 377 control subjects were recruited in our study for assessing two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3741918 and rs1060619) in the GAPDH gene. Both allelic association and additive models were used to analyze association between GAPDH variants and risk for PD.

RESULTS

Both polymorphisms were significantly associated with risk for PD after correction by Bonferroni multiple testing. The minor allele of rs3741918 was associated with decreased risk of sporadic PD (allelic contrast, OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59-0.93, corrected P = 0.028; additive model, OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58-0.92, corrected P = 0.018). While for the rs1060619 locus, the minor allele conferred increased risk for PD (allelic contrast, OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14-1.75, corrected P = 0.007; additive model, OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15-1.79, corrected P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that GAPDH variants confer susceptibility to sporadic PD in a Chinese Han population, which is consistent with the role of GAPDH protein in neuronal apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first study of genetic association between GAPDH locus and risk for PD in the Chinese population.

Oxidation of an exposed methionine instigates the aggregation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a ubiquitous and abundant protein that participates in cellular energy production. GAPDH normally exists in a soluble form; however, following necrosis, GAPDH and numerous other intracellular proteins convert into an insoluble disulfide-cross-linked state via the process of "nucleocytoplasmic coagulation." Here, free radical-induced aggregation of GAPDH was studied as an in vitro model of nucleocytoplasmic coagulation. Despite the fact that disulfide cross-linking is a prominent feature of GAPDH aggregation, our data show that it is not a primary rate-determining step. To identify the true instigating event of GAPDH misfolding, we mapped the post-translational modifications that arise during its aggregation. Solvent accessibility and energy calculations of the mapped modifications within the context of the high resolution native GAPDH structure suggested that oxidation of methionine 46 may instigate aggregation. We confirmed this by mutating methionine 46 to leucine, which rendered GAPDH highly resistant to free radical-induced aggregation. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that oxidation of methionine 46 triggers a local increase in the conformational plasticity of GAPDH that likely promotes further oxidation and eventual aggregation. Hence, methionine 46 represents a "linchpin" whereby its oxidation is a primary event permissive for the subsequent misfolding, aggregation, and disulfide cross-linking of GAPDH. A critical role for linchpin residues in nucleocytoplasmic coagulation and other forms of free radical-induced protein misfolding should now be investigated. Furthermore, because disulfide-cross-linked aggregates of GAPDH arise in many disorders and because methionine 46 is irrelevant to native GAPDH function, mutation of methionine 46 in models of disease should allow the unequivocal assessment of whether GAPDH aggregation influences disease progression.

Structural characterization of heparin-induced glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase protofibrils preventing α-synuclein oligomeric species toxicity

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a multifunctional enzyme that has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. GAPDH colocalizes with α-synuclein in amyloid aggregates in post-mortem tissue of patients with sporadic Parkinson disease and promotes the formation of Lewy body-like inclusions in cell culture. In a previous work, we showed that glycosaminoglycan-induced GAPDH prefibrillar species accelerate the conversion of α-synuclein to fibrils. However, it remains to be determined whether the interplay among glycosaminoglycans, GAPDH, and α-synuclein has a role in pathological states. Here, we demonstrate that the toxic effect exerted by α-synuclein oligomers in dopaminergic cell culture is abolished in the presence of GAPDH prefibrillar species. Structural analysis of prefibrillar GAPDH performed by small angle x-ray scattering showed a particle compatible with a protofibril. This protofibril is shaped as a cylinder 22 nm long and a cross-section diameter of 12 nm. Using biocomputational techniques, we obtained the first all-atom model of the GAPDH protofibril, which was validated by cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry experiments. Because GAPDH can be secreted outside the cell where glycosaminoglycans are present, it seems plausible that GAPDH protofibrils could be assembled in the extracellular space kidnapping α-synuclein toxic oligomers. Thus, the role of GAPDH protofibrils in neuronal proteostasis must be considered. The data reported here could open alternative ways in the development of therapeutic strategies against synucleinopathies like Parkinson disease.

Multiple binding partners

GAPDH interacts with a plethora of diverse cellular proteins. The network of interacting partners, or interactome, is presented for GAPDH with the interacting molecules grouped into specific functional and structural categories. By organizing the binding partners in this way, certain common structural features are beginning to surface, such as acidic dipeptide sequences that are found in several of these binding proteins. Additionally, the consensus sequences for target polynucleotides are being brought to light. The categories, which are presented according to function, offer an opportunity for research into the corresponding structural correlates to these interactions. Recent discoveries of interacting proteins have revealed novel relationships that are generating emerging mechanisms. Proteins that are associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases appear to be particularly prone to binding GAPDH, suggesting that GAPDH may be playing a role in these diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases that are discussed are the conformational diseases of aging, suggesting that GAPDH may be a global sensor for cellular conformational stress. In addition to GAPDH's oxidoreductase activity, several other enzymatic functions have been discovered, including peroxidase, nitrosylase, mono-ADP-ribosylase and kinase activities.

Characterization of heparin-induced glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase early amyloid-like oligomers and their implication in α-synuclein aggregation

Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, neuropathological hallmarks of several neurological diseases, are mainly made of filamentous assemblies of α-synuclein. However, other macromolecules including Tau, ubiquitin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glycosaminoglycans are routinely found associated with these amyloid deposits. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a glycolytic enzyme that can form fibrillar aggregates in the presence of acidic membranes, but its role in Parkinson disease is still unknown. In this work, the ability of heparin to trigger the amyloid aggregation of this protein at physiological conditions of pH and temperature is demonstrated by infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, small angle x-ray scattering, circular dichroism, and fluorescence microscopy. Aggregation proceeds through the formation of short rod-like oligomers, which elongates in one dimension. Heparan sulfate was also capable of inducing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase aggregation, but chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C together with dextran sulfate had a negligible effect. Aided with molecular docking simulations, a putative binding site on the protein is proposed providing a rational explanation for the structural specificity of heparin and heparan sulfate. Finally, it is demonstrated that in vitro the early oligomers present in the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase fibrillation pathway promote α-synuclein aggregation. Taking into account the toxicity of α-synuclein prefibrillar species, the heparin-induced glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase early oligomers might come in useful as a novel therapeutic strategy in Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies.

Novel mechanism of Hsp70 chaperone-mediated prevention of polyglutamine aggregates in a cellular model of huntington disease

The key feature of polyglutamine aggregates accumulating in the course of Huntington disease (HD) is their resistance to protein denaturants, and to date only chaperones are proved to prevent mutant protein aggregation. It was suggested that expanded polyglutamine chains (polyQ) of mutant huntingtin are cross-linked to other proteins such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Here we clarify the roles of GAPDH and molecular chaperone Hsp70 in the formation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-insoluble polyQ aggregates. First, the addition of pure GAPDH was found to enhance the aggregation of polyQ in a cell-free model of HD. Secondly, the immunodepletion of GAPDH dose-dependently decreased polyQ aggregation. Finally, siRNA-mediated inhibition of GAPDH protein in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells has also reduced the aggregation of cellular polyQ. Regulated over-expression of Hsp70 decreased the amount of GAPDH associated with SDS-insoluble polyQ aggregates. Physical association of Hsp70 and GAPDH in SK-N-SH cells was shown by reciprocal immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. Pure Hsp70 dose-dependently inhibited the formation of polyQ aggregates in cell-free model of HD by sequestering both GAPDH and polyQ. We demonstrated that Hsp70 binds to polyQ in adenosine triphosphate-dependent manner, which suggests that Hsp70 exerts a chaperoning activity in the course of this interaction. Binding of Hsp70 to GAPDH was nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent suggesting another type of association. Based on our findings, we conclude that Hsp70 protects cells in HD by removing/sequestering two intrinsic components of protein aggregates: the polyQ itself and GAPDH. We propose that GAPDH might be an important target for pharmacological treatment of HD and other polyglutamine expansion-related diseases.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase: activity inhibition and protein overexpression in rotenone models for Parkinson's disease

Rotenone, a widely used pesticide and an environmental risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), induces nigrostriatal injury, Lewy body-like inclusions, and Parkinsonian symptoms in rat models for PD. Our previous data indicated that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) overexpression and glycolytic inhibition were co-current in rotenone-induced PC12 (rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells) cell death. However, whether GAPDH overexpression plays any role in dopaminergic neurodegeneration in vivo remains unknown. In this study, we have found that GAPDH overexpression and GAPDH-positive Lewy body-like aggregates in nigral dopaminergic neurons while nigral GAPDH glycolytic activity decreases in rotenone-based PD animal models. Furthermore, GAPDH knockdown reduces rotenone toxicity significantly in PC12. These in vitro and in vivo data suggest that GAPDH contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, possibly representing a new molecular target for neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for PD.

Inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity by antibodies present in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

We have previously shown that B cells and Abs reactive with GAPDH and antitriosephosphate isomerase (TPI) are present in lesions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the current study, we studied the effect of anti-GAPDH and anti-TPI CSF IgG on the glycolytic enzyme activity of GAPDH and TPI after exposure to intrathecal IgG from 10 patients with MS and 34 patients with other neurologic diseases. The degree of inhibition of GAPDH activity by CSF anti-GAPDH IgG in the seven MS samples tested varied from 13 to 98%, which seemed to correlate with the percentage of anti-GAPDH IgG in the CSF IgG (1-45%). Inhibition of GAPDH activity (18 and 23%) by CSF IgG was seen in two of the 34 patients with other neurologic diseases, corresponding to the low percentage of CSF anti-GAPDH IgG (1 and 8%). In addition, depletion of anti-GAPDH IgG from CSF IgG, using immobilized GAPDH, removed the inhibitory effect of the IgG on GAPDH. No inhibition of GAPDH activity was seen with CSF samples not containing anti-GAPDH IgG. No inhibition of TPI activity was seen with any purified CSF IgG sample. These findings demonstrate an increased percentage of anti-GAPDH Abs in the CSF of patients with MS that can inhibit GAPDH glycolytic enzyme activity and may contribute to neuroaxonal degeneration.

A novel, high-efficiency cellular model of fibrillar alpha-synuclein inclusions and the examination of mutations that inhibit amyloid formation

Intracytoplasmic alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) amyloidogenic inclusions are a major pathological feature of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy body disease and multiple systems atrophy. The mechanisms involved in the formation and inhibition of these aggregates are areas of intense investigation. The present study characterizes a novel cellular model for the study of alpha-syn aggregation, incorporating nucleation-dependent aggregation and a new function for calcium phosphate precipitation. Cultured cells were readily induced to develop large, cytoplasmic alpha-syn filamentous aggregates that were hyperphosphorylated, often ubiquitinated and thioflavin positive. These cellular aggregates formed in the majority of transfected cells and recruited approximately half of endogenously expressed alpha-syn. Using this system, we examined single-point mutations that inhibit alpha-syn amyloid formation in vitro. Three mutations (V66P, T72P and T75P) significantly hindered alpha-syn aggregation in this cell model. The T75P mutant, which could abrogate amyloid formation of wild-type alpha-syn in vitro, did not prevent wild-type alpha-syn cellular aggregates. These studies suggest that the propensity of alpha-syn to form cellular aggregates may be more pronounced than in isolated in vitro studies. This novel high-efficiency cellular model of alpha-syn aggregation is a valuable system that may be used to further understand alpha-syn aggregation and allow for the generation of future therapeutics.

An aggregate-prone mutant of human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase augments oxidative stress-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells

Glycerladehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a classic glycolytic enzyme, also has a role in mediating cell death under oxidative stress. Our previous reports suggest that oxidative stress-induced GAPDH aggregate formation is, at least in part, a mechanism to account for the death signaling. Here we show that substitution of cysteine for serine-284 of human GAPDH (S284C-GAPDH) leads to aggregate-prone GAPDH, and that its expression in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma results in greater dopamine-induced cell death than expression of wild type-GAPDH. Treatment of purified recombinant S284C-GAPDH in vitro with the nitric oxide donor NOR3 led to greater aggregation than wild type-GAPDH. Several lines of structural analysis revealed that S284C-GAPDH was amyloidogenic. Overexpression of doxycycline-inducible S284C-GAPDH in SH-SY5Y cells accelerated dopamine treatment-induced death and increased formation of GAPDH aggregates, compared to cells expressing wild type-GAPDH. These results suggest that aggregate-prone mutations of GAPDH such as S284C-GAPDH may confer risk of oxidative stress-induced cell death.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase aggregate formation participates in oxidative stress-induced cell death

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)(2) is a classic glycolytic enzyme that also mediates cell death by its nuclear translocation under oxidative stress. Meanwhile, we previously presented that oxidative stress induced disulfide-bonded GAPDH aggregation in vitro. Here, we propose that GAPDH aggregate formation might participate in oxidative stress-induced cell death both in vitro and in vivo. We show that human GAPDH amyloid-like aggregate formation depends on the active site cysteine-152 (Cys-152) in vitro. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma, treatment with dopamine decreases the cell viability concentration-dependently (IC(50) = 202 microM). Low concentrations of dopamine (50-100 microM) mainly cause nuclear translocation of GAPDH, whereas the levels of GAPDH aggregates correlate with high concentrations of dopamine (200-300 microM)-induced cell death. Doxycycline-inducible overexpression of wild-type GAPDH in SH-SY5Y, but not the Cys-152-substituted mutant (C152A-GAPDH), accelerates cell death accompanying both endogenous and exogenous GAPDH aggregate formation in response to high concentrations of dopamine. Deprenyl, a blocker of GAPDH nuclear translocation, fails to inhibit the aggregation both in vitro and in cells but reduced cell death in SH-SY5Y treated with only a low concentration of dopamine (100 microM). These results suggest that GAPDH participates in oxidative stress-induced cell death via an alternative mechanism in which aggregation but not nuclear translocation of GAPDH plays a role. Moreover, we observe endogenous GAPDH aggregate formation in nigra-striatum dopaminergic neurons after methamphetamine treatment in mice. In transgenic mice overexpressing wild-type GAPDH, increased dopaminergic neuron loss and GAPDH aggregate formation are observed. These data suggest a critical role of GAPDH aggregates in oxidative stress-induced brain damage.

Thiol-based redox switches in eukaryotic proteins

For many years, oxidative thiol modifications in cytosolic proteins were largely disregarded as in vitro artifacts, and considered unlikely to play significant roles within the reducing environment of the cell. Recent developments in in vivo thiol trapping technology combined with mass spectrometric analysis have now provided convincing evidence that thiol-based redox switches are used as molecular tools in many proteins to regulate their activity in response to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Reversible oxidative thiol modifications have been found to modulate the function of proteins involved in many different pathways, starting from gene transcription, translation and protein folding, to metabolism, signal transduction, and ultimately apoptosis. This review will focus on three well-characterized eukaryotic proteins that use thiol-based redox switches to influence gene transcription, metabolism, and signal transduction. The transcription factor Yap1p is a good illustration of how oxidative modifications affect the function of a protein without changing its activity. We use glyeraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase to demonstrate how thiol modification of an active site cysteine re-routes metabolic pathways and converts a metabolic enzyme into a pro-apoptotic factor. Finally, we introduce the redox-sensitive protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B to illustrate that reversibility is one of the fundamental aspects of redox-regulation.

Increased oxidation of certain glycolysis and energy metabolism enzymes in the frontal cortex in Lewy body diseases

Lipoxidative damage of aldolase A, enolase 1, and glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was found in the frontal cortex in a percentage of aged controls by bidimensional gel electrophoresis, Western blot test, in-gel digestion, and mass spectrometry. Aldolase A and enolase 1 were altered in 12 of 19 cases, whereas oxidation of GAPDH was found in 6 of 19 controls. The three enzymes were oxidized in the frontal cortex in the majority of cases of incidental Parkinson's disease (iPD), PD, and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Differences were statistically significant (chi(2) test) for GAPDH in PD and DLB. Densitometric studies have shown that the ratio of oxidized protein per spot is higher in iPD, PD, and DLB compared with controls. These findings show oxidation of three enzymes linked with glycolysis and energy metabolism in the adult human brain as well as increased oxidation of aldolase A, enolase 1, and GAPDH in the frontal cortex in Lewy body diseases. Modifications of these enzymes may result in decreased activity and may partly account for impaired metabolism and function of the frontal lobe in PD.

Activation of phospholipase A2 by temporin B: formation of antimicrobial peptide-enzyme amyloid-type cofibrils

Phospholipases A2 have been shown to be activated in a concentration dependent manner by a number of antimicrobial peptides, including melittin, magainin 2, indolicidin, and temporins B and L. Here we used fluorescently labelled bee venom PLA2 (PLA2D) and the saturated phospholipid substrate 1,2-dipalmitoyl-glycero-sn-3-phosphocholine (L-DPPC), exhibiting a lag-burst behaviour upon the initiation of the hydrolytic reaction by PLA2. Increasing concentrations of Cys-temporin B and its fluorescent Texas red derivative (TRC-temB) caused progressive shortening of the lag period. TRC-temB/PLA2D interaction was observed by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), with maximum efficiency coinciding with the burst in hydrolysis. Subsequently, supramolecular structures became visible by microscopy, revealing amyloid-like fibrils composed of both the activating peptide and PLA2. Reaction products, palmitic acid and 1-palmitoyl-2-lyso-glycero-sn-3-phosphocholine (lysoPC, both at >8 mol%) were required for FRET when using the non-hydrolysable substrate enantiomer 2,3-dipalmitoyl-glycero-sn-1-phosphocholine (D-DPPC). A novel mechanism of PLA2 activation by co-fibril formation and associated conformational changes is suggested.

Lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D protects against alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity

α-synuclein (α-syn) is a main component of Lewy bodies (LB) that occur in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with LB (DLB) and multi-system atrophy. α-syn mutations or amplifications are responsible for a subset of autosomal dominant familial PD cases, and overexpression causes neurodegeneration and motor disturbances in animals. To investigate mechanisms for α-syn accumulation and toxicity, we studied a mouse model of lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D (CD) deficiency, and found extensive accumulation of endogenous α-syn in neurons without overabundance of α-syn mRNA. In addition to impaired macroautophagy, CD deficiency reduced proteasome activity, suggesting an essential role for lysosomal CD function in regulating multiple proteolytic pathways that are important for α-syn metabolism. Conversely, CD overexpression reduces α-syn aggregation and is neuroprotective against α-syn overexpression-induced cell death in vitro. In a C. elegans model, CD deficiency exacerbates α-syn accumulation while its overexpression is protective against α-syn-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Mutated CD with diminished enzymatic activity or overexpression of cathepsins B (CB) or L (CL) is not protective in the worm model, indicating a unique requirement for enzymatically active CD. Our data identify a conserved CD function in α-syn degradation and identify CD as a novel target for LB disease therapeutics.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis revealed by proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of the striata in two mouse models of Parkinson's disease

The molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not completely understood. Here, we use mass spectrometry and microarrays to study the proteomic and transcriptomic changes in the striatum of two mouse models of PD, induced by the distinct neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and methamphetamine (METH). Proteomic analyses resulted in the identification and relative quantification of 912 proteins with two or more unique peptides and 86 proteins with significant abundance changes following neurotoxin treatment. Similarly, microarray analyses revealed 181 genes with significant changes in mRNA, following neurotoxin treatment. The combined protein and gene list provides a clearer picture of the potential mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration observed in PD. Functional analysis of this combined list revealed a number of significant categories, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress response, and apoptosis. These results constitute one of the largest descriptive data sets integrating protein and transcript changes for these neurotoxin models with many similar end point phenotypes but distinct mechanisms.

Abnormal cellular translocation of alpha-internexin in spinal motor neurons of Dystonia musculorum mice

Dystonia musculorum (dt) is a mutant mouse with hereditary neuropathy where the dysfunction is mainly found in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons but not in the spinal motor neurons. However, the accumulation of intermediate filament (IF) proteins in the swelling axons of spinal motor neurons could be found in dt/dt mice. In order to understand the pathological role of neuronal IFs in the swelling axons of spinal motor neurons from dt/dt mice, we extensively examined the distribution of neuronal IF proteins. By immunofluorescence staining, our results indicated that alpha-internexin was a major component in the swelling axon and showed abnormal translocation in the nuclei of spinal motor neurons in dt/dt mice. This abnormal translocation of alpha-internexin in the nuclei of spinal motor neurons was also confirmed by Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy. Instead of the 10-nm filamentous structure, a diffuse immunopositive pattern of alpha-internexin was observed in the nucleus of spinal motor neurons in dt/dt mutants. We further examined the cell death of spinal motor neurons by TUNEL assay, and no TUNEL-positive cells could be identified from spinal motor neurons in dt/dt mice. From these observations we suggest that abnormal accumulation of neuronal IFs in the swelling axons and abnormal translocation of alpha-internexin in the nuclei of the spinal motor neurons from dt/dt mice may not directly cause cell death of the spinal motor neurons.

The active site cysteine of the proapoptotic protein glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is essential in oxidative stress-induced aggregation and cell death

Recent studies have revealed that the redox-sensitive glycolytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), is involved in neuronal cell death that is triggered by oxidative stress. GAPDH is locally deposited in disulfide-bonded aggregates at lesion sites in certain neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism that underlies oxidative stress-induced aggregation of GAPDH and the relationship between structural abnormalities in GAPDH and cell death. Under nonreducing in vitro conditions, oxidants induced oligomerization and insoluble aggregation of GAPDH via the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Because GAPDH has four cysteine residues, including the active site Cys(149), we prepared the cysteine-substituted mutants C149S, C153S, C244A, C281S, and C149S/C281S to identify which is responsible for disulfide-bonded aggregation. Whereas the aggregation levels of C281S were reduced compared with the wild-type enzyme, neither C149S nor C149S/C281S aggregated, suggesting that the active site cysteine plays an essential role. Oxidants also caused conformational changes in GAPDH concomitant with an increase in beta-sheet content; these abnormal conformations specifically led to amyloid-like fibril formation via disulfide bonds, including Cys(149). Additionally, continuous exposure of GAPDH-overexpressing HeLa cells to oxidants produced disulfide bonds in GAPDH leading to both detergent-insoluble and thioflavin-S-positive aggregates, which were associated with oxidative stress-induced cell death. Thus, oxidative stresses induce amyloid-like aggregation of GAPDH via aberrant disulfide bonds of the active site cysteine, and the formation of such abnormal aggregates promotes cell death.

Proteomic identification of novel proteins in cortical lewy bodies

Lewy body (LB) inclusions are one of the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). One way to better understand the process leading to LB formation and associated pathogenesis responsible for neurodegeneration in PD and DLB is to examine the content of LB inclusions. Here, we performed a proteomic investigation of cortical LBs, obtained by laser capture microdissection from neurons in the temporal cortex of dementia patients with cortical LB disease. Analysis of over 2500 cortical LBs discovered 296 proteins; of those, 17 had been associated previously with brainstem and/or cortical LBs. We validated several proteins with immunohistochemical staining followed by confocal microscopy. The results demonstrated that heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (also known as HSC70, HSP73, or HSPA10) was indeed not only colocalized with the majority of LBs in the temporal cortex but also colocalized to LBs in the frontal cortex of patients with diffuse LB disease. Our investigation represents the first extensive proteomic investigation of cortical LBs, and it is expected that characterization of the proteins in the cortical LBs may reveal novel mechanisms by which LB forms and pathways leading to neurodegeneration in DLB and/or advanced PD. Further investigation of these novel candidates is also necessary to ensure that the potential proteins in cortical LBs are not identified incorrectly because of incomplete current human protein database.

Triosephosphate isomerase- and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-reactive autoantibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

Our previous results revealed that Igs in lesions and single chain variable fragment Abs (scFv-Abs) generated from clonal B cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) bind to axons in MS brains. To study the axonal Ags involved in MS, we identified the glycolytic enzymes, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and GAPDH, using Igs from the CSF and scFv-Abs generated from clonal B cells in the CSF and in lesions from MS patients. Elevated levels of CSF-Abs to TPI were observed in patients with MS (46%), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS (40%), other inflammatory neurological diseases (OIND; 29%), and other noninflammatory neurological diseases (ONIND; 31%). Levels of GAPDH-reactive Abs were elevated in MS patients (60%), in patients with CIS (10%), OIND (14%), and ONIND (8%). The coexistence of both autoantibodies was detected in 10 MS patients (29%), and 1 CIS patient (3%), but not in patients with OIND/ONIND. Two scFv-Abs generated from the CSF and from lesions of a MS brain showed immunoreactivity to TPI and GAPDH, respectively. The findings suggest that TPI and GAPDH may be candidate Ags for an autoimmune response to neurons and axons in MS.

Mechanism of thermal aggregation of rabbit muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Thermal denaturation and aggregation of rabbit muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and analytical ultracentrifugation. The maximum of the protein thermal transition (T(m)) increased with increasing the protein concentration, suggesting that the denaturation process involves the stage of reversible dissociation of the enzyme tetramer into the oligomeric forms of lesser size. The dissociation of the enzyme tetramer was shown by sedimentation velocity at 45 degrees C. The DLS data support the mechanism of protein aggregation that involves a stage of the formation of the start aggregates followed by their sticking together. The hydrodynamic radius of the start aggregates remained constant in the temperature interval from 37 to 55 degrees C and was independent of the protein concentration (R(h,0) approximately 21 nm; 10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.5). A strict correlation between thermal aggregation of GAPDH registered by the increase in the light scattering intensity and protein denaturation characterized by DSC has been proved.

Interaction of TPPP/p25 protein with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and their co-localization in Lewy bodies

TPPP/p25, a flexible unstructured protein, binds to tubulin and induces aberrant microtubule assemblies. We identified hereby glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a new interacting partner of TPPP/p25. The immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatographic experiments with bovine brain cell-free extract revealed that the interaction was salt and NAD(+) sensitive while ELISA showed resistant and firm association of the two isolated proteins. In transfected HeLa cells at low expression level of EGFP-TPPP/p25, while the green fusion protein aligned at the microtubular network, GAPDH distributed uniformly in the cytosol. However, at high expression level, GAPDH co-localized with TPPP/p25 in the aggresome-like aggregate. Immunohistochemistry showed enrichment of TPPP/p25 and GAPDH within the alpha-synuclein positive Lewy body.