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Gardon L, Becker N, Gremer L, Heise H. Structural Impact of N-terminal Pyroglutamate in an Amyloid-β(3-42) Fibril Probed by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303007. [PMID: 38100216 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, primarily formed by Aβ(1-40) and Aβ(1-42) fibrils, are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The Aβ peptide can undergo a high variety of different post-translational modifications including formation of a pyroglutamate (pGlu, pE) at N-terminal Glu3 or Glu11 of truncated Aβ(3-x) or Aβ(11-x), respectively. Here we studied structural similarities and differences between pEAβ(3-42) and LS-shaped Aβ(1-42) fibrils grown under identical conditions (pH 2) using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. We show that the central region of pEAβ(3-42) fibrils including the turn region around V24 is almost identical to Aβ(1-42) showing similar β-strands also at the N-terminus. The missing N-terminal residues D1-A2 along with pE3 formation in pEAβ(3-42) preclude a salt bridge between K28-D1' as in Aβ(1-42) fibrils. G37 and G38 act as highly sensitive internal sensors for the modified N-terminus, which remains rigid over ~five pH units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Gardon
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nina Becker
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lothar Gremer
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Henrike Heise
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Karkisaval AG, Hassan R, Nguyen A, Balster B, Abedin F, Lal R, Tatulian SA. The structure of tyrosine-10 favors ionic conductance of Alzheimer's disease-associated full-length amyloid-β channels. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1296. [PMID: 38351257 PMCID: PMC10864385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43821-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid β (Aβ) ion channels destabilize cellular ionic homeostasis, which contributes to neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease. The relative roles of various Aβ isoforms are poorly understood. We use bilayer electrophysiology, AFM imaging, circular dichroism, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize channel activities of four most prevalent Aβ peptides, Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, and their pyroglutamylated forms (AβpE3-42, AβpE3-40) and correlate them with the peptides' structural features. Solvent-induced fluorescence splitting of tyrosine-10 is discovered and used to assess the sequestration from the solvent and membrane insertion. Aβ1-42 effectively embeds in lipid membranes, contains large fraction of β-sheet in a β-barrel-like structure, forms multi-subunit pores in membranes, and displays well-defined ion channel features. In contrast, the other peptides are partially solvent-exposed, contain minimal β-sheet structure, form less-ordered assemblies, and produce irregular ionic currents. These findings illuminate the structural basis of Aβ neurotoxicity through membrane permeabilization and may help develop therapies that target Aβ-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijith G Karkisaval
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rowan Hassan
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Balster
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Faisal Abedin
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ratnesh Lal
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Suren A Tatulian
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
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Wintz K, Post J, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Willuweit A, Kutzsche J. Oral Treatment with d-RD2RD2 Impedes Early Disease Mechanisms in SOD1*G93A Transgenic Mice but Does Not Prolong Survival. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11040995. [PMID: 37189613 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11040995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons, thus, progressing to complete muscle loss until the patient dies from respiratory arrest. The disease is not curable, and patients die approximately 2-5 years after diagnosis. Studying the underlying disease mechanisms to get access to new treatment options is, therefore, essential for patients' benefit. However, so far, only three drugs that alleviate the symptoms have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A new drug candidate for the treatment of ALS is the all-d-enantiomeric peptide RD2RD2. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of RD2RD2 in two setups. First, we analyzed disease progression and survival in 7 week-old B6.Cg-Tg(SOD1*G93A)1Gur/J mice. Second, we confirmed the result of the survival analysis in the B6SJL-Tg(SOD1*G93A)1Gur/J mouse line. Shortly before disease onset, the mice were treated daily with an oral dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Treatment with RD2RD2 led to a delayed disease onset and reduced motor phenotype as shown using the SHIRPA test, the splay reflex test, and the pole test, but did not affect survival. In conclusion, RD2RD2 has the ability to delay the onset of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Wintz
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Sex-Related Motor Deficits in the Tau-P301L Mouse Model. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091160. [PMID: 34572348 PMCID: PMC8471835 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of mouse models for basic and translational research at different levels is important to understand neurodegenerative diseases, including tauopathies, by studying the alterations in the corresponding mouse models in detail. Moreover, several studies demonstrated that pathological as well as behavioral changes are influenced by the sex. For this purpose, we performed an in-depth characterization of the behavioral alterations in the transgenic Tau-P301L mouse model. Sex-matched wild type and homozygous Tau-P301L mice were tested in a battery of behavioral tests at different ages. Tau-P301L male mice showed olfactory and motor deficits as well as increased Tau pathology, which was not observed in Tau-P301L female mice. Both Tau-P301L male and female mice had phenotypic alterations in the SHIRPA test battery and cognitive deficits in the novel object recognition test. This study demonstrated that Tau-P301L mice have phenotypic alterations, which are in line with the histological changes and with a sex-dependent performance in those tests. Summarized, the Tau-P301L mouse model shows phenotypic alterations due to the presence of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
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Post J, Schaffrath A, Gering I, Hartwig S, Lehr S, Shah NJ, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Kutzsche J, Willuweit A. Oral Treatment with RD2RD2 Impedes Development of Motoric Phenotype and Delays Symptom Onset in SOD1 G93A Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137066. [PMID: 34209129 PMCID: PMC8269060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has been implicated as driver of disease progression and is observed in ALS patients, as well as in the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model. Here, we explore and validate the therapeutic potential of the d-enantiomeric peptide RD2RD2 upon oral administration in SOD1G93A mice. Transgenic mice were treated daily with RD2RD2 or placebo for 10 weeks and phenotype progression was followed with several behavioural tests. At the end of the study, plasma cytokine levels and glia cell markers in brain and spinal cord were analysed. Treatment resulted in a significantly increased performance in behavioural and motor coordination tests and a decelerated neurodegenerative phenotype in RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice. Additionally, we observed retardation of the average disease onset. Treatment of SOD1G93A mice led to significant reduction in glial cell activation and a rescue of neurons. Analysis of plasma revealed normalisation of several cytokines in samples of RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice towards the levels of non-transgenic mice. In conclusion, these findings qualify RD2RD2 to be considered for further development and testing towards a disease modifying ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Anja Schaffrath
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Sonja Hartwig
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lehr
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 11, INM-11, JARA, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- JARA-Brain-Translational Medicine, 52062 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
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Camargo LC, Schöneck M, Sangarapillai N, Honold D, Shah NJ, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Kutzsche J, Schemmert S, Willuweit A. PEAβ Triggers Cognitive Decline and Amyloid Burden in a Novel Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137062. [PMID: 34209113 PMCID: PMC8267711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the physiopathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has improved substantially based on studies of mouse models mimicking at least one aspect of the disease. Many transgenic lines have been established, leading to amyloidosis but lacking neurodegeneration. The aim of the current study was to generate a novel mouse model that develops neuritic plaques containing the aggressive pyroglutamate modified amyloid-β (pEAβ) species in the brain. The TAPS line was developed by intercrossing of the pEAβ-producing TBA2.1 mice with the plaque-developing line APPswe/PS1ΔE9. The phenotype of the new mouse line was characterized using immunostaining, and different cognitive and general behavioral tests. In comparison to the parental lines, TAPS animals developed an earlier onset of pathology and increased plaque load, including striatal pEAβ-positive neuritic plaques, and enhanced neuroinflammation. In addition to abnormalities in general behavior, locomotion, and exploratory behavior, TAPS mice displayed cognitive deficits in a variety of tests that were most pronounced in the fear conditioning paradigm and in spatial learning in comparison to the parental lines. In conclusion, the combination of a pEAβ- and a plaque-developing mouse model led to an accelerated amyloid pathology and cognitive decline in TAPS mice, qualifying this line as a novel amyloidosis model for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Camargo
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (L.C.C.); (D.H.); (D.W.); (J.K.); (S.S.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Schöneck
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (N.S.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
| | - Nivethini Sangarapillai
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (N.S.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
| | - Dominik Honold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (L.C.C.); (D.H.); (D.W.); (J.K.); (S.S.)
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (N.S.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- JARA-Brain-Translational Medicine, JARA Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 52062 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (N.S.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (L.C.C.); (D.H.); (D.W.); (J.K.); (S.S.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (L.C.C.); (D.H.); (D.W.); (J.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Sarah Schemmert
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (L.C.C.); (D.H.); (D.W.); (J.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (N.S.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-2461-6196358
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7
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Post J, Kogel V, Schaffrath A, Lohmann P, Shah NJ, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Willuweit A, Kutzsche J. A Novel Anti-Inflammatory d-Peptide Inhibits Disease Phenotype Progression in an ALS Mouse Model. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061590. [PMID: 33805709 PMCID: PMC7999518 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by selective neuronal death in the brain stem and spinal cord. The cause is unknown, but an increasing amount of evidence has firmly certified that neuroinflammation plays a key role in ALS pathogenesis. Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders and has been implicated as driver of disease progression. Here, we describe a treatment study demonstrating the therapeutic potential of a tandem version of the well-known all-d-peptide RD2 (RD2RD2) in a transgenic mouse model of ALS (SOD1*G93A). Mice were treated intraperitoneally for four weeks with RD2RD2 vs. placebo. SOD1*G93A mice were tested longitudinally during treatment in various behavioural and motor coordination tests. Brain and spinal cord samples were investigated immunohistochemically for gliosis and neurodegeneration. RD2RD2 treatment in SOD1*G93A mice resulted not only in a reduction of activated astrocytes and microglia in both the brain stem and lumbar spinal cord, but also in a rescue of neurons in the motor cortex. RD2RD2 treatment was able to slow progression of the disease phenotype, especially the motor deficits, to an extent that during the four weeks treatment duration, no significant progression was observed in any of the motor experiments. Based on the presented results, we conclude that RD2RD2 is a potential therapeutic candidate against ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (V.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Vanessa Kogel
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (V.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Anja Schaffrath
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (V.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Philipp Lohmann
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (P.L.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (P.L.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 11, INM-11, JARA, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- JARA-Brain-Translational Medicine, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (P.L.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (V.K.); (A.S.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (A.W.); (J.K.); Tel.: +49-2461-619496 (J.K.)
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (P.L.); (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (A.W.); (J.K.); Tel.: +49-2461-619496 (J.K.)
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry, IBI-7, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (V.K.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (A.W.); (J.K.); Tel.: +49-2461-619496 (J.K.)
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Hinteregger B, Loeffler T, Flunkert S, Neddens J, Birner-Gruenberger R, Bayer TA, Madl T, Hutter-Paier B. Transgene integration causes RARB downregulation in homozygous Tg4-42 mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6377. [PMID: 32286473 PMCID: PMC7156671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease can be modelled by different transgenic mouse strains. To gain deeper insight into disease model mechanisms, the previously described Tg4-42 mouse was analysed for transgene integration. On RNA/DNA level the transgene integration resulted in more than 20 copy numbers and further caused a deletion of exon 2 of the retinoic acid receptor beta. These findings were also confirmed on protein level with highly decreased retinoic acid receptor beta protein levels in homozygous Tg4-42 mice and may have an impact on the previously described phenotype of homozygous Tg4-42 mice to be solely dependent on amyloid-ß 4-42 expression. Since hemizygous mice show no changes in RARB protein levels it can be concluded that the previously described phenotype of these mice should not be affected by the retinoic acid receptor beta gene knockout. In order to fully understand the results of transgenesis, it is extremely advisable to determine the genome integration site and the basic structure of the inserted transgenes. This can be carried out for instance by next-generation sequencing techniques. Our results thus suggest that a detailed characterization of new disease models using the latest genomics technologies prior to functional studies could be a valuable tool to avoid an unexpected genetic influence on the animals' phenotype that is not only based on the inserted transgene. This would also significantly improve the selection of mouse models that are best suited for therapeutic development and basic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hinteregger
- QPS Austria GmbH, Parkring 12, 8074, Grambach, Austria
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging) Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tina Loeffler
- QPS Austria GmbH, Parkring 12, 8074, Grambach, Austria
| | | | - Joerg Neddens
- QPS Austria GmbH, Parkring 12, 8074, Grambach, Austria
| | - Ruth Birner-Gruenberger
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging) Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology & Omics Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas A Bayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging) Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Schemmert S, Schartmann E, Honold D, Zafiu C, Ziehm T, Langen KJ, Shah NJ, Kutzsche J, Willuweit A, Willbold D. Deceleration of the neurodegenerative phenotype in pyroglutamate-Aβ accumulating transgenic mice by oral treatment with the Aβ oligomer eliminating compound RD2. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 124:36-45. [PMID: 30391539 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, a multifactorial incurable disorder, is mainly characterised by progressive neurodegeneration, extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ), and intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. During the last years, Aβ oligomers have been claimed to be the disease causing agent. Consequently, development of compounds that are able to disrupt already existing Aβ oligomers is highly desirable. We developed d-enantiomeric peptides, consisting solely of d-enantiomeric amino acid residues, for the direct and specific elimination of toxic Aβ oligomers. The drug candidate RD2 did show high oligomer elimination efficacy in vitro and the in vivo efficacy of RD2 was demonstrated in treatment studies by enhanced cognition in transgenic mouse models of amyloidosis. Here, we report on the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the compound towards pyroglutamate-Aβ, a particular aggressive Aβ species. Using the transgenic TBA2.1 mouse model, which develops pyroglutamate-Aβ(3-42) induced neurodegeneration, we are able to show that oral RD2 treatment resulted in a significant deceleration of the progression of the phenotype. The in vivo efficacy against this highly toxic Aβ species further validates RD2 as a drug candidate for the therapeutic use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schemmert
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Elena Schartmann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dominik Honold
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christian Zafiu
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tamar Ziehm
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nadim Joni Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, JARA, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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