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Tian Z, Lu XT, Jiang X, Tian J. Bryostatin-1: a promising compound for neurological disorders. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1187411. [PMID: 37351510 PMCID: PMC10282138 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1187411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex system in human body, and there is often a lack of effective treatment strategies for the disorders related with CNS. Natural compounds with multiple pharmacological activities may offer better options because they have broad cellular targets and potentially produce synergic and integrative effects. Bryostatin-1 is one of such promising compounds, a macrolide separated from marine invertebrates. Bryostatin-1 has been shown to produce various biological activities through binding with protein kinase C (PKC). In this review, we mainly summarize the pharmacological effects of bryostatin-1 in the treatment of multiple neurological diseases in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Bryostatin-1 is shown to have great therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and depression. It exhibits significant rescuing effects on the deficits of spatial learning, cognitive function, memory and other neurological functions caused by diseases, producing good neuroprotective effects. The promising neuropharmacological activities of bryostatin-1 suggest that it is a potential candidate for the treatment of related neurological disorders although there are still some issues needed to be addressed before its application in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tian
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin-Tong Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xun Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiao Tian
- Department of Infection, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, The First Batch of Key Disciplines on Public Health in Chongqing, Chongqing, China
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2
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Restoration of FMRP expression in adult V1 neurons rescues visual deficits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Protein Cell 2021; 13:203-219. [PMID: 34714519 PMCID: PMC8901859 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many people affected by fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorders have sensory processing deficits, such as hypersensitivity to auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli. Like FXS in humans, loss of Fmr1 in rodents also cause sensory, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. However, the neural mechanisms underlying sensory impairment, especially vision impairment, remain unclear. It remains elusive whether the visual processing deficits originate from corrupted inputs, impaired perception in the primary sensory cortex, or altered integration in the higher cortex, and there is no effective treatment. In this study, we used a genetic knockout mouse model (Fmr1KO), in vivo imaging, and behavioral measurements to show that the loss of Fmr1 impaired signal processing in the primary visual cortex (V1). Specifically, Fmr1KO mice showed enhanced responses to low-intensity stimuli but normal responses to high-intensity stimuli. This abnormality was accompanied by enhancements in local network connectivity in V1 microcircuits and increased dendritic complexity of V1 neurons. These effects were ameliorated by the acute application of GABAA receptor activators, which enhanced the activity of inhibitory neurons, or by reintroducing Fmr1 gene expression in knockout V1 neurons in both juvenile and young-adult mice. Overall, V1 plays an important role in the visual abnormalities of Fmr1KO mice and it could be possible to rescue the sensory disturbances in developed FXS and autism patients.
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3
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Anti-Alzheimer's Molecules Derived from Marine Life: Understanding Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19050251. [PMID: 33925063 PMCID: PMC8146595 DOI: 10.3390/md19050251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. It has been confirmed that the pathological processes that intervene in AD development are linked with oxidative damage to neurons, neuroinflammation, tau phosphorylation, amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and cholinergic deficit. Still, there is no available therapy that can cure AD. Available therapies only manage some of the AD symptoms at the early stages of AD. Various studies have revealed that bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms and plants can exert neuroprotective activities with fewer adverse events, as compared with synthetic drugs. Furthermore, marine organisms have been identified as a source of novel compounds with therapeutic potential. Thus, there is a growing interest regarding bioactive compounds derived from marine sources that have anti-AD potentials. Various marine drugs including bryostatin-1, homotaurine, anabaseine and its derivative, rifampicins, anhydroexfoliamycin, undecylprodigioisin, gracilins, 13-desmethyl spirolide-C, and dictyostatin displayed excellent bioavailability and efficacy against AD. Most of these marine drugs were found to be well-tolerated in AD patients, along with no significant drug-associated adverse events. In this review, we focus on the drugs derived from marine life that can be useful in AD treatment and also summarize the therapeutic agents that are currently used to treat AD.
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4
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Marsillo A, David L, Gerges B, Kerr D, Sadek R, Lasiychuk V, Salame D, Soliman Y, Menkes S, Chatterjee A, Mancuso A, Banerjee P. PKC epsilon as a neonatal target to correct FXS-linked AMPA receptor translocation in the hippocampus, boost PVN oxytocin expression, and normalize adult behavior in Fmr1 knockout mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1867:166048. [PMID: 33359697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an inherited developmental disorder caused by the non-expression of the Fmr1 gene. FXS is associated with abnormal social and anxiety behavior that is more prominent among males. Given that oxytocin (OXT) regulates both social and anxiety behavior, we studied the effect of FXS in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the major central source of OXT. We observed a significant suppression of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) (34%) in the ventral hippocampal CA1 region of postnatal day-18 (P18) male Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, which displayed social behavior deficits and hyper-anxiety in adulthood. These mice also displayed a 39% increase in cell surface α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) at P18 (measured by the surface level of the AMPAR subunit GluR2), thereby indicating excitation of the CA1 neurons. It is known that neuronal activation at CA1 is linked to an inhibition of the PVN neurons. As expected, these mice also displayed a 25% suppression of oxytocin+ (OXT+) cells in the PVN at P20. Stimulating PKCε during postnatal days 6-,14 (P6-14) mice using a selective activator, dicyclopropyl-linoleic acid (DCP-LA), corrected AMPAR externalization in CA1 and suppression of OXT+ cell number in PVN in a PKCε dependent manner. Most notably, neonatal DCP-LA treatment rescued social behavior deficits and hyper-anxiety, displayed by adult (≥P60) male but not female KO mice. Thus, neonatal stimulation of PKCε could be a strategy to correct endophenotypic anomalies during brain development and aberrant adult behavior of the FXS males to the wild-type levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Marsillo
- CUNY Doctoral Programs in Biology, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Lovena David
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Bishoy Gerges
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kerr
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Rodina Sadek
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Vitaliy Lasiychuk
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - David Salame
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Youstina Soliman
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Silvia Menkes
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Aheli Chatterjee
- Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Andrew Mancuso
- CUNY Doctoral Programs in Biochemistry, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America
| | - Probal Banerjee
- CUNY Doctoral Programs in Biology, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America; Department of Chemistry, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America; Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314-6609, United States of America.
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5
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APOE4 genetic polymorphism results in impaired recovery in a repeated mild traumatic brain injury model and treatment with Bryostatin-1 improves outcomes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19919. [PMID: 33199792 PMCID: PMC7670450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76849-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
After traumatic brain injury (TBI), some people have worse recovery than others. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Apolipoprotein E (APOE) are known to increase risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, however there is controversy from human and rodent studies as to whether ApoE4 is a risk factor for worse outcomes after brain trauma. To resolve these conflicting studies we have explored the effect of the human APOE4 gene in a reproducible mouse model that mimics common human injuries. We have investigated cellular and behavioral outcomes in genetically engineered human APOE targeted replacement (TR) mice following repeated mild TBI (rmTBI) using a lateral fluid percussion injury model. Relative to injured APOE3 TR mice, injured APOE4 TR mice had more inflammation, neurodegeneration, apoptosis, p-tau, and activated microglia and less total brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cortex and/or hippocampus at 1 and/or 21 days post-injury. We utilized a novel personalized approach to treating APOE4 susceptible mice by administering Bryostatin-1, which improved cellular as well as motor and cognitive behavior outcomes at 1 DPI in the APOE4 injured mice. This study demonstrates that APOE4 is a risk factor for poor outcomes after rmTBI and highlights how personalized therapeutics can be a powerful treatment option.
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6
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Cogram P, Alkon DL, Crockford D, Deacon RMJ, Hurley MJ, Altimiras F, Sun MK, Tranfaglia M. Chronic bryostatin-1 rescues autistic and cognitive phenotypes in the fragile X mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18058. [PMID: 33093534 PMCID: PMC7581799 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an X-chromosome linked intellectual disability, is the leading monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition that currently has no specific drug treatment. Building upon the demonstrated therapeutic effects on spatial memory of bryostatin-1, a relatively specific activator of protein kinase C (PKC)ε, (also of PKCα) on impaired synaptic plasticity/maturation and spatial learning and memory in FXS mice, we investigated whether bryostatin-1 might affect the autistic phenotypes and other behaviors, including open field activity, activities of daily living (nesting and marble burying), at the effective therapeutic dose for spatial memory deficits. Further evaluation included other non-spatial learning and memory tasks. Interestingly, a short period of treatment (5 weeks) only produced very limited or no therapeutic effects on the autistic and cognitive phenotypes in the Fmr1 KO2 mice, while a longer treatment (13 weeks) with the same dose of bryostatin-1 effectively rescued the autistic and non-spatial learning deficit cognitive phenotypes. It is possible that longer-term treatment would result in further improvement in these fragile X phenotypes. This effect is clearly different from other treatment strategies tested to date, in that the drug shows little acute effect, but strong long-term effects. It also shows no evidence of tolerance, which has been a problem with other drug classes (mGluR5 antagonists, GABA-A and -B agonists). The results strongly suggest that, at appropriate dosing and therapeutic period, chronic bryostatin-1 may have great therapeutic value for both ASD and FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cogram
- FRAXA-DVI, FRAXA, Santiago, Chile. .,IEB, Faculty of Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | | | - Robert M J Deacon
- FRAXA-DVI, FRAXA, Santiago, Chile.,IEB, Faculty of Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michael J Hurley
- Neuroimmunology, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Francisco Altimiras
- Faculty of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Faculty of Engineering and Business, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
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7
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Ly C, Shimizu AJ, Vargas MV, Duim WC, Wender PA, Olson DE. Bryostatin 1 Promotes Synaptogenesis and Reduces Dendritic Spine Density in Cortical Cultures through a PKC-Dependent Mechanism. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1545-1554. [PMID: 32437156 PMCID: PMC7332236 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine natural product bryostatin 1 has demonstrated procognitive and antidepressant effects in animals and has been entered into human clinical trials for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ability of bryostatin 1 to enhance learning and memory has largely been attributed to its effects on the structure and function of hippocampal neurons. However, relatively little is known about how bryostatin 1 influences the morphology of cortical neurons, key cells that also support learning and memory processes and are negatively impacted in AD. Here, we use a combination of carefully designed chemical probes and pharmacological inhibitors to establish that bryostatin 1 increases cortical synaptogenesis while decreasing dendritic spine density in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner. The effects of bryostatin 1 on cortical neurons are distinct from those induced by neural plasticity-promoting psychoplastogens such as ketamine. Compounds capable of increasing synaptic density with concomitant loss of immature dendritic spines may represent a unique pharmacological strategy for enhancing memory by improving signal-to-noise ratio in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Ly
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Akira J Shimizu
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, 333 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Maxemiliano V Vargas
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, California 95618, United States
| | - Whitney C Duim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Paul A Wender
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, 333 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - David E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2700 Stockton Blvd, Suite 2102, Sacramento, California 95817, United States.,Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, California 95618, United States
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8
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Baram TZ, Donato F, Holmes GL. Construction and disruption of spatial memory networks during development. Learn Mem 2019; 26:206-218. [PMID: 31209115 PMCID: PMC6581006 DOI: 10.1101/lm.049239.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spatial memory, the aspect of memory involving encoding and retrieval of information regarding one's environment and spatial orientation, is a complex biological function incorporating multiple neuronal networks. Hippocampus-dependent spatial memory is not innate and emerges during development in both humans and rodents. In children, nonhippocampal dependent egocentric (self-to-object) memory develops before hippocampal-dependent allocentric (object-to-object) memory. The onset of allocentric spatial memory abilities in children around 22 mo of age occurs at an age-equivalent time in rodents when spatially tuned grid and place cells arise from patterned activity propagating through the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit. Neuronal activity, often driven by specific sensory signals, is critical for the normal maturation of brain circuits This patterned activity fine-tunes synaptic connectivity of the network and drives the emergence of specific firing necessary for spatial memory. Whereas normal activity patterns are required for circuit maturation, aberrant neuronal activity during development can have major adverse consequences, disrupting the development of spatial memory. Seizures during infancy, involving massive bursts of synchronized network activity, result in impaired spatial memory when animals are tested as adolescents or adults. This impaired spatial memory is accompanied by alterations in spatial and temporal coding of place cells. The molecular mechanisms by which early-life seizures lead to disruptions at the cellular and network levels are now becoming better understood, and provide a target for intervention, potentially leading to improved cognitive outcome in individuals experiencing early-life seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tallie Z Baram
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Flavio Donato
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Gregory L Holmes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA
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9
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Nelson TJ, Sun MK, Lim C, Sen A, Khan T, Chirila FV, Alkon DL. Bryostatin Effects on Cognitive Function and PKCɛ in Alzheimer's Disease Phase IIa and Expanded Access Trials. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 58:521-535. [PMID: 28482641 PMCID: PMC5438479 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bryostatin 1, a potent activator of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCɛ), has been shown to reverse synaptic loss and facilitate synaptic maturation in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Fragile X, stroke, and other neurological disorders. In a single-dose (25 μg/m2) randomized double-blind Phase IIa clinical trial, bryostatin levels reached a maximum at 1-2 h after the start of infusion. In close parallel with peak blood levels of bryostatin, an increase of PBMC PKCɛ was measured (p = 0.0185) within 1 h from the onset of infusion. Of 9 patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD, of which 6 received drug and 3 received vehicle within a double-blind protocol, bryostatin increased the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score by +1.83±0.70 unit at 3 h versus –1.00±1.53 unit for placebo. Bryostatin was well tolerated in these AD patients and no drug-related adverse events were reported. The 25 μg/m2 administered dose was based on prior clinical experience with three Expanded Access advanced AD patients treated with bryostatin, in which return of major functions such as swallowing, vocalization, and word recognition were noted. In one Expanded Access patient trial, elevated PKCɛ levels closely tracked cognitive benefits in the first 24 weeks as measured by MMSE and ADCS-ADL psychometrics. Pre-clinical mouse studies showed effective activation of PKCɛ and increased levels of BDNF and PSD-95. Together, these Phase IIa, Expanded Access, and pre-clinical results provide initial encouragement for bryostatin 1 as a potential treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Nelson
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Miao-Kun Sun
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Chol Lim
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Abhik Sen
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tapan Khan
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Florin V Chirila
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,Neurodiagnostics, LLC, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Daniel L Alkon
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.,Neurotrope Biosciences, LLC, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Dahlhaus R. Of Men and Mice: Modeling the Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29599705 PMCID: PMC5862809 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability in all human societies. Caused by the transcriptional silencing of a single gene, the fragile x mental retardation gene FMR1, FXS is characterized by a variety of symptoms, which range from mental disabilities to autism and epilepsy. More than 20 years ago, a first animal model was described, the Fmr1 knock-out mouse. Several other models have been developed since then, including conditional knock-out mice, knock-out rats, a zebrafish and a drosophila model. Using these model systems, various targets for potential pharmaceutical treatments have been identified and many treatments have been shown to be efficient in preclinical studies. However, all attempts to turn these findings into a therapy for patients have failed thus far. In this review, I will discuss underlying difficulties and address potential alternatives for our future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Dahlhaus
- Institute for Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Centre, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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11
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Mansilla A, Chaves-Sanjuan A, Campillo NE, Semelidou O, Martínez-González L, Infantes L, González-Rubio JM, Gil C, Conde S, Skoulakis EMC, Ferrús A, Martínez A, Sánchez-Barrena MJ. Interference of the complex between NCS-1 and Ric8a with phenothiazines regulates synaptic function and is an approach for fragile X syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E999-E1008. [PMID: 28119500 PMCID: PMC5307446 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1611089114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein complex formed by the Ca2+ sensor neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) and the guanine exchange factor protein Ric8a coregulates synapse number and probability of neurotransmitter release, emerging as a potential therapeutic target for diseases affecting synapses, such as fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common heritable autism disorder. Using crystallographic data and the virtual screening of a chemical library, we identified a set of heterocyclic small molecules as potential inhibitors of the NCS-1/Ric8a interaction. The aminophenothiazine FD44 interferes with NCS-1/Ric8a binding, and it restores normal synapse number and associative learning in a Drosophila FXS model. The synaptic effects elicited by FD44 feeding are consistent with the genetic manipulation of NCS-1. The crystal structure of NCS-1 bound to FD44 and the structure-function studies performed with structurally close analogs explain the FD44 specificity and the mechanism of inhibition, in which the small molecule stabilizes a mobile C-terminal helix inside a hydrophobic crevice of NCS-1 to impede Ric8a interaction. Our study shows the drugability of the NCS-1/Ric8a interface and uncovers a suitable region in NCS-1 for development of additional drugs of potential use on FXS and related synaptic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Mansilla
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal, Spanish National Research Council, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Chaves-Sanjuan
- Departamento de Cristalografía y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Spanish National Research Council, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria E Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Spanish National Research Council, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ourania Semelidou
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre Alexander Fleming, 16672 Vari, Greece
| | | | - Lourdes Infantes
- Departamento de Cristalografía y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Spanish National Research Council, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana María González-Rubio
- Departamento de Cristalografía y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Spanish National Research Council, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Spanish National Research Council, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Conde
- Instituto de Química Médica, Spanish National Research Council, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Efthimios M C Skoulakis
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre Alexander Fleming, 16672 Vari, Greece
| | - Alberto Ferrús
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal, Spanish National Research Council, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Spanish National Research Council, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Sánchez-Barrena
- Departamento de Cristalografía y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Spanish National Research Council, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
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12
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Cissé M, Duplan E, Checler F. The transcription factor XBP1 in memory and cognition: Implications in Alzheimer disease. Mol Med 2017; 22:905-917. [PMID: 28079229 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2016.00229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is a unique basic region leucine zipper transcription factor isolated two decades ago in a search for regulators of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression. XBP1 is a very complex protein regulating many physiological functions, including immune system, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism. Evidence over the past few years suggests that XBP1 also plays important roles in pathological settings since its activity as transcription factor has profound effects on the prognosis and progression of diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Here we provide an overview on recent advances in our understanding of this multifaceted molecule, particularly in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory function, and the implications in neurodegenerative diseases with emphasis on Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moustapha Cissé
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, team labeled "Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale" and "Laboratory of Excellence (LABEX) Distalz", 660 route des Lucioles, 06560, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Eric Duplan
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, team labeled "Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale" and "Laboratory of Excellence (LABEX) Distalz", 660 route des Lucioles, 06560, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Frédéric Checler
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, team labeled "Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale" and "Laboratory of Excellence (LABEX) Distalz", 660 route des Lucioles, 06560, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne, France
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Neurotrophic Factors in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on BDNF and IGF-1. TRANSLATIONAL ANATOMY AND CELL BIOLOGY OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 2017; 224:121-134. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52498-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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