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Prosad Banik S, Kumar P, Bagchi D, Paul S, Goel A, Bagchi M, Chakraborty S. Fenfuro®-mediated arrest in the formation of protein-methyl glyoxal adducts: a new dimension in the anti-hyperglycemic potential of a novel fenugreek seed extract. Toxicol Mech Methods 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38832450 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2024.2358520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is traditionally known for its anti-diabetic properties owing to its high content of furostanolic saponins, which can synergistically treat many human ailments. Non-enzymatic protein glycation leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) is a common pathophysiology observed in diabetic or prediabetic individuals, which can initiate the development of neurodegenerative disorders. A potent cellular source of glycation is Methyl Glyoxal, a highly reactive dicarbonyl formed as a glycolytic byproduct. We demonstrate the in vitro glycation arresting potential of Fenfuro®, a novel patented formulation of Fenugreek seed extract with clinically proven anti-diabetic properties, in Methyl-Glyoxal (MGO) adducts of three abundant amyloidogenic cellular proteins, alpha-synuclein, Serum albumin, and Lysozyme. A 0.25% w/v Fenfuro® was able to effectively arrest glycation by more than 50% in all three proteins, as evidenced by AGE fluorescence. Glycation-induced amyloid formation was also arrested by more than 36%, 14% and 15% for BSA, Alpha-synuclein and Lysozyme respectively. An increase in MW by attachment of MGO was also partially prevented by Fenfuro® as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Glycation resulted in enhanced aggregation of the three proteins as revealed by Native PAGE and Dynamic Light Scattering. However, in the presence of Fenfuro®, aggregation was arrested substantially, and the normal size distribution was restored. The results cumulatively indicated the lesser explored potential of direct inhibition of glycation by fenugreek seed in addition to its proven role in alleviating insulin resistance. Fenfuro® boosts its therapeutic potential as an effective phytotherapeutic to arrest Type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pawan Kumar
- R&D Department, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, India
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Dept of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, and Dept of Psychology, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Souradip Paul
- Protein Folding & Dynamics Group, Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Apurva Goel
- Regulatory Dept, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, India
| | | | - Sanjoy Chakraborty
- Dept of Biological Sciences, New York City College of Technology/CUNY, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Makasewicz K, Linse S, Sparr E. Interplay of α-synuclein with Lipid Membranes: Cooperative Adsorption, Membrane Remodeling and Coaggregation. JACS AU 2024; 4:1250-1262. [PMID: 38665673 PMCID: PMC11040681 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a small neuronal protein enriched at presynaptic termini. It is hypothesized to play a role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle cycling, while the formation of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Parkinson's Disease. The molecular mechanisms of both the physiological and pathological functions of α-synuclein remain to be fully understood, but in both cases, interactions with membranes play an important role. In this Perspective, we discuss several aspects of α-synuclein interactions with lipid membranes including cooperative adsorption, membrane remodeling and α-synuclein amyloid fibril formation in the presence of lipid membranes. We highlight the coupling between the different phenomena and their interplay in the context of physiological and pathological functions of α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Makasewicz
- Division
of Physical Chemistry, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Linse
- Biochemistry
and Structural Biology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emma Sparr
- Department
of Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
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Li S, Liu Y, Lu S, Xu J, Liu X, Yang D, Yang Y, Hou L, Li N. A crazy trio in Parkinson's disease: metabolism alteration, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-04985-3. [PMID: 38625515 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04985-3] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an aging-associated neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies containing α-synuclein within these neurons. Oligomeric α-synuclein exerts neurotoxic effects through mitochondrial dysfunction, glial cell inflammatory response, lysosomal dysfunction and so on. α-synuclein aggregation, often accompanied by oxidative stress, is generally considered to be a key factor in PD pathology. At present, emerging evidences suggest that metabolism alteration is closely associated with α-synuclein aggregation and PD progression, and improvement of key molecules in metabolism might be potentially beneficial in PD treatment. In this review, we highlight the tripartite relationship among metabolic changes, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress in PD, and offer updated insights into the treatments of PD, aiming to deepen our understanding of PD pathogenesis and explore new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanbing Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sen Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaokun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Di Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yuxuan Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lin Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Abdul‐Rahman T, Herrera‐Calderón RE, Ahluwalia A, Wireko AA, Ferreira T, Tan JK, Wolfson M, Ghosh S, Horbas V, Garg V, Perveen A, Papadakis M, Ashraf GM, Alexiou A. The potential of phosphorylated α-synuclein as a biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple system atrophy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14678. [PMID: 38572788 PMCID: PMC10993367 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14678] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn). Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of MSA present significant challenges, which can lead to potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Biomarkers play a crucial role in improving the accuracy of MSA diagnosis, and phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) has emerged as a promising biomarker for aiding in diagnosis and disease monitoring. METHODS A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using specific keywords and MeSH terms without imposing a time limit. Inclusion criteria comprised various study designs including experimental studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies published only in English, while conference abstracts and unpublished sources were excluded. RESULTS Increased levels of p-syn have been observed in various samples from MSA patients, such as red blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid, oral mucosal cells, skin, and colon biopsies, highlighting their diagnostic potential. The α-Syn RT-QuIC assay has shown sensitivity in diagnosing MSA and tracking its progression. Meta-analyses and multicenter investigations have confirmed the diagnostic value of p-syn in cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating high specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing MSA from other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, combining p-syn with other biomarkers has further improved the diagnostic accuracy of MSA. CONCLUSION The p-syn stands out as a promising biomarker for MSA. It is found in oligodendrocytes and shows a correlation with disease severity and progression. However, further research and validation studies are necessary to establish p-syn as a reliable biomarker for MSA. If proven, p-syn could significantly contribute to early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and assessing treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tomas Ferreira
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | | | - Shankhaneel Ghosh
- Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' AnusandhanBhubaneswarIndia
| | | | - Vandana Garg
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesMaharshi Dayanand UniversityRohtakHaryanaIndia
| | - Asma Perveen
- Glocal School of Life SciencesGlocal UniversitySaharanpurUttar PradeshIndia
- Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al‐Saud Center for Excellence Research in BiotechnologyKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten‐HerdeckeUniversity of Witten‐HerdeckeWuppertalGermany
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory SciencesUniversity of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health SciencesSharjahUAE
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & DevelopmentChandigarh UniversityMohaliPunjabIndia
- Department of Research & DevelopmentAthensGreece
- Department of Research & DevelopmentAFNP MedWienAustria
- Department of Science and EngineeringNovel Global Community Educational FoundationNew South WalesAustralia
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da Silva ANR, Pereira GRC, Bonet LFS, Outeiro TF, De Mesquita JF. In silico analysis of alpha-synuclein protein variants and posttranslational modifications related to Parkinson's disease. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30523. [PMID: 38239037 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is among the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, affecting over 10 million people worldwide. The protein encoded by the SNCA gene, alpha-synuclein (ASYN), is the major component of Lewy body (LB) aggregates, a histopathological hallmark of PD. Mutations and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) in ASYN are known to influence protein aggregation and LB formation, possibly playing a crucial role in PD pathogenesis. In this work, we applied computational methods to characterize the effects of missense mutations and PTMs on the structure and function of ASYN. Missense mutations in ASYN were compiled from the literature/databases and underwent a comprehensive predictive analysis. Phosphorylation and SUMOylation sites of ASYN were retrieved from databases and predicted by algorithms. ConSurf was used to estimate the evolutionary conservation of ASYN amino acids. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ASYN wild-type and variants A30G, A30P, A53T, and G51D were performed using the GROMACS package. Seventy-seven missense mutations in ASYN were compiled. Although most mutations were not predicted to affect ASYN stability, aggregation propensity, amyloid formation, and chaperone binding, the analyzed mutations received relatively high rates of deleterious predictions and predominantly occurred at evolutionarily conserved sites within the protein. Moreover, our predictive analyses suggested that the following mutations may be possibly harmful to ASYN and, consequently, potential targets for future investigation: K6N, T22I, K34E, G36R, G36S, V37F, L38P, G41D, and K102E. The MD analyses pointed to remarkable flexibility and essential dynamics alterations at nearly all domains of the studied variants, which could lead to impaired contact between NAC and the C-terminal domain triggering protein aggregation. These alterations may have functional implications for ASYN and provide important insight into the molecular mechanism of PD, supporting the design of future biomedical research and improvements in existing therapies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloma N R da Silva
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel R C Pereira
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felippe Sarmento Bonet
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joelma F De Mesquita
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Savva L, Platts JA. Exploring the impact of mutation and post-translational modification on α-Synuclein: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations with and without copper. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 249:112395. [PMID: 37820444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
We report molecular dynamics simulations of two modifications to α-Synuclein, namely A53T mutation and phosphorylation at Ser129, which have been observed in Parkinson's disease patients. Both modifications are close to known metal binding sites, so as well as each modified peptide we also study Cu(II) bound to N-terminal and C-terminal residues. We show that A53T is predicted to cause increased β-sheet content of the peptide, with a persistent β-hairpin between residues 35-55 particularly notable. Phosphorylation has less effect on secondary structure but is predicted to significantly increase the size of the peptide, especially when bound to Cu(II), which is ascribed to reduced interaction of C-terminal sequence with central non-amyloid component. In addition, estimate of binding free energy to Cu(II) indicates A53T has little effect on metal-ion affinity, whereas phosphorylation markedly enhances the strength of binding. We suggest that the predicted changes in spatial extent and secondary structure of α-Synuclein may have implications for aggregation into Lewy bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loizos Savva
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - James A Platts
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
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7
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Das D, Bharadwaz P, Mattaparthi VSK. Computational investigation on the effect of the peptidomimetic inhibitors (NPT100-18A and NPT200-11) on the α-synuclein and lipid membrane interactions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37768058 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2262599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with α-synuclein (α-Syn), a presynaptic protein that binds to cell membranes. The molecular pathophysiology of PD most likely begins with the binding of α-Syn to membranes. Recently, two peptidomimetic inhibitors (NPT100-18A and NPT200-11) were identified to potentially interact with α-Syn and affect the interaction of α-Syn with the membrane. In this study, the effect of the two peptidomimetic inhibitors on the α-Syn-membrane interaction was demonstrated. DFT calculations were performed for optimization of the two inhibitors, and the nucleophilicity (N) and electrophilicity (ω) of NPT100-18A and NPT200-11 were calculated to be 3.90 and 3.86 (N); 1.06 and 1.04 (ω), respectively. Using the docking tool (CB-dock2), the two α-Syn-peptidomimetic inhibitor complexes (α-Syn-NPT100-18A and α-Syn-NPT200-11) have been prepared. Then all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was carried out on the α-Syn (control), α-Syn-NPT100-18A and α-Syn-NPT200-11 complex systems in presence of DOPE: DOPS: DOPC (5:3:2) lipid bilayer. From the conformational dynamics analysis, the 3-D structure of α-Syn was found to be stable, and the helices present in the regions (1-37) and (45-95) of α-Syn were found to be retained in the presence of the two peptidomimetic inhibitors. The electron density profile analysis revealed the binding modes of NAC and C-terminal region of α-Syn (in the presence of NPT200-11 inhibitor) with lipid membrane are in the close vicinity from the lipid bilayer centre. Our findings in this study on α-Syn-membrane interactions may be useful for developing a new therapeutic approach for treating PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Das
- Molecular Modelling and Simulation Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Priyam Bharadwaz
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Venkata Satish Kumar Mattaparthi
- Molecular Modelling and Simulation Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Outeiro TF, Bellucci A. Changes in α-Synuclein Posttranslational Modifications in an AAV-Based Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13435. [PMID: 37686236 PMCID: PMC10488235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713435] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and accumulation of Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN), inclusions mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. Studies linking the occurrence of mutations and multiplications of the α-Syn gene (SNCA) to the onset of PD support that α-Syn deposition may play a causal role in the disease, in line with the hypothesis that disease progression may correlate with the spreading of LB pathology in the brain. Interestingly, LB accumulate posttranslationally modified forms of α-Syn, suggesting that α-Syn posttranslational modifications impinge on α-Syn aggregation and/or toxicity. Here, we aimed at investigating changes in α-Syn phosphorylation, nitration and acetylation in mice subjected to nigral stereotaxic injections of adeno-associated viral vectors inducing overexpression of human α-Syn (AAV-hα-Syn), that model genetic PD with SNCA multiplications. We detected a mild increase of serine (Ser) 129 phosphorylated α-Syn in the substantia nigra (SN) of AAV-hα-Syn-injected mice in spite of the previously described marked accumulation of this PTM in the striatum. Following AAV-hα-Syn injection, tyrosine (Tyr) 125/136 nitrated α-Syn accumulation in the absence of general 3-nitrotirosine (3NT) or nitrated-Tyr39 α-Syn changes and augmented protein acetylation abundantly overlapping with α-Syn immunopositivity were also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Brembati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
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Battis K, Xiang W, Winkler J. The Bidirectional Interplay of α-Synuclein with Lipids in the Central Nervous System and Its Implications for the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13270. [PMID: 37686080 PMCID: PMC10487772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The alteration and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases collectively termed as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The bidirectional interaction of α-syn with lipids and biomembranes impacts not only α-syn aggregation but also lipid homeostasis. Indeed, lipid composition and metabolism are severely perturbed in PD. One explanation for lipid-associated alterations may involve structural changes in α-syn, caused, for example, by missense mutations in the lipid-binding region of α-syn as well as post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, nitration, ubiquitination, truncation, glycosylation, and glycation. Notably, different strategies targeting the α-syn-lipid interaction have been identified and are able to reduce α-syn pathology. These approaches include the modulation of post-translational modifications aiming to reduce the aggregation of α-syn and modify its binding properties to lipid membranes. Furthermore, targeting enzymes involved in various steps of lipid metabolism and exploring the neuroprotective potential of lipids themselves have emerged as novel therapeutic approaches. Taken together, this review focuses on the bidirectional crosstalk of α-syn and lipids and how alterations of this interaction affect PD and thereby open a window for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (K.B.); (W.X.)
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10
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Bellucci A. Alpha synuclein post translational modifications: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1197853. [PMID: 37305556 PMCID: PMC10248004 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1197853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms. The neuropathological alterations characterizing the brain of patients with PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB), intraneuronal inclusions that are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. The accumulation of α-Syn in insoluble aggregates is a main neuropathological feature in PD and in other neurodegenerative diseases, including LB dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), which are therefore defined as synucleinopathies. Compelling evidence supports that α-Syn post translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, nitration, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, glycation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination and C-terminal cleavage, play important roles in the modulation α-Syn aggregation, solubility, turnover and membrane binding. In particular, PTMs can impact on α-Syn conformational state, thus supporting that their modulation can in turn affect α-Syn aggregation and its ability to seed further soluble α-Syn fibrillation. This review focuses on the importance of α-Syn PTMs in PD pathophysiology but also aims at highlighting their general relevance as possible biomarkers and, more importantly, as innovative therapeutic targets for synucleinopathies. In addition, we call attention to the multiple challenges that we still need to face to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches modulating α-Syn PTMs.
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11
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Killinger BA, Mercado G, Choi S, Tittle T, Chu Y, Brundin P, Kordower JH. Distribution of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in non-diseased brain implicates olfactory bulb mitral cells in synucleinopathy pathogenesis. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:43. [PMID: 36966145 PMCID: PMC10039879 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological inclusions called "Lewy pathology" (LP) that consist of aggregated alpha-synuclein predominantly phosphorylated at serine 129 (PSER129). Despite the importance for understanding disease, little is known about the endogenous function of PSER129 or why it accumulates in the diseased brain. Here we conducted several observational studies using a sensitive tyramide signal amplification (TSA) technique to determine PSER129 distribution and function in the non-diseased mammalian brain. In wild-type non-diseased mice, PSER129 was detected in the olfactory bulb (OB) and several brain regions across the neuroaxis (i.e., OB to brainstem). In contrast, PSER129 immunoreactivity was not observed in any brain region of alpha-synuclein knockout mice. We found evidence of PSER129 positive structures in OB mitral cells of non-diseased mice, rats, non-human primates, and healthy humans. Using TSA multiplex fluorescent labeling, we showed that PSER129 positive punctate structures occur within inactive (i.e., c-fos negative) T-box transcription factor 21 (TBX21) positive mitral cells and PSER129 within these cells was spatially associated with PK-resistant alpha-synuclein. Ubiquitin was found in PSER129 mitral cells but was not closely associated with PSER129. Biotinylation by antibody recognition (BAR) identified 125 PSER129-interacting proteins in the OB of healthy mice, which were significantly enriched for presynaptic vesicle trafficking/recycling, SNARE, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, and RNA binding. TSA multiplex labeling confirmed the physical association of BAR-identified protein Ywhag with PSER129 in the OB and in other regions across the neuroaxis. We conclude that PSER129 accumulates in the mitral cells of the healthy OB as part of alpha-synuclein normal cellular functions. Incidental LP has been reported in the OB, and therefore we speculate that for synucleinopathies, either the disease processes begin locally in OB mitral cells or a systemic disease process is most apparent in the OB because of the natural tendency to accumulate PSER129.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Killinger
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Gabriela Mercado
- Parkinson's disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Solji Choi
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Tyler Tittle
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yaping Chu
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center (NDRC), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Parkinson's disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F Hoffman-La Roche, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Kordower
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center (NDRC), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
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Bell R, Vendruscolo M, Kumita JR. Probing the effects of N-terminal acetylation on α-synuclein structure, aggregation and cytotoxicity. Methods Enzymol 2023; 686:45-65. [PMID: 37532408 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.09.003] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is associated with the aberrant aggregation of α-synuclein within brain cells. Although the causes of this process are still unclear, post-translational modifications of α-synuclein are likely to play a modulatory role. Since α-synuclein is constitutively N-terminally acetylated, we previously investigated how this protein modification affects the aggregation behavior of the protein using a variety of methods in vitro and in cell systems. This chapter describes the production of N-terminally acetylated (NTA) α-synuclein, the preparation of different seeds of NTA α-synuclein for aggregation assays and the experimental methods for the kinetic analysis of the aggregation process of NTA α-synuclein. We also detail our protocol to evaluate the effects of preformed protofibrils of NTA α-synuclein in cell-based assays. These methods can be applied to study other post-translational modifications of α-synuclein, or adapted for the study of N-acetylation of other aggregation-prone proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Bell
- Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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13
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Bell R, Castellana-Cruz M, Nene A, Thrush RJ, Xu CK, Kumita JR, Vendruscolo M. Effects of N-terminal Acetylation on the Aggregation of Disease-related α-synuclein Variants. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167825. [PMID: 36099961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the SNCA gene, which encodes the protein α-synuclein, have been linked with early onset Parkinson's disease. The exact nature of this association, however, is still poorly understood. To investigate this problem, we started from the observation that α-synuclein is constitutively N-terminally acetylated, a post-translational modification that alters the charge and structure of α-synuclein molecules and affects their interaction with lipid membranes, as well as their aggregation process. We thus studied five N-terminal acetylated familial variants (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D and A53T) of α-synuclein through a wide range of biophysical assays to probe the microscopic steps in their aggregation process and the structures of the resulting aggregates. Our results reveal a great complexity in the combined effects of the disease-related mutations with N-terminal acetylation on the aggregation of α-synuclein, which underscores the great sensitivity to even relatively small perturbations of the behaviour of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Bell
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Marta Castellana-Cruz
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aishwarya Nene
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Rebecca J Thrush
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Catherine K Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK.
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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14
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Gelain DP, Bittencourt RR, Bastos Mendes LF, Moreira JCF, Outeiro TF. RAGE Against the Glycation Machine in Synucleinopathies: Time to Explore New Questions. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:717-728. [PMID: 37270812 PMCID: PMC10473104 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization and aggregation of misfolded forms of α-synuclein are believed to be key molecular mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, so extensive research has attempted to understand these processes. Among diverse post-translational modifications that impact α-synuclein aggregation, glycation may take place at several lysine sites and modify α-synuclein oligomerization, toxicity, and clearance. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a key regulator of chronic neuroinflammation through microglial activation in response to advanced glycation end products, such as carboxy-ethyl-lysine, or carboxy-methyl-lysine. The presence of RAGE in the midbrain of PD patients has been reported in the last decades and this receptor was proposed to have a role in sustaining PD neuroinflammation. However, different PD animal models demonstrated that RAGE is preferentially expressed in neurons and astrocytes, while recent evidence demonstrated that fibrillar, non-glycated α-synuclein binds to RAGE. Here, we summarize the available data on α-synuclein glycation and RAGE in the context of PD, and discuss about the questions yet to be answered that may increase our understanding of the molecular bases of PD and synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pens Gelain
- Center for Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Reykla Ramon Bittencourt
- Center for Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luiz Filipe Bastos Mendes
- Center for Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Claudio Fonseca Moreira
- Center for Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Natural Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Lysophospholipids: A Potential Drug Candidates for Neurodegenerative Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123126. [PMID: 36551882 PMCID: PMC9775253 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123126] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) commonly present misfolded and aggregated proteins. Considerable research has been performed to unearth the molecular processes underpinning this pathological aggregation and develop therapeutic strategies targeting NDs. Fibrillary deposits of α-synuclein (α-Syn), a highly conserved and thermostable protein, are a critical feature in the development of NDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Inhibition of α-Syn aggregation can thus serve as a potential approach for therapeutic intervention. Recently, the degradation of target proteins by small molecules has emerged as a new therapeutic modality, gaining the hotspot in pharmaceutical research. Additionally, interest is growing in the use of food-derived bioactive compounds as intervention agents against NDs via functional foods and dietary supplements. According to reports, dietary bioactive phospholipids may have cognition-enhancing and neuroprotective effects, owing to their abilities to influence cognition and mental health in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which lipids may prevent the pathological aggregation of α-Syn warrant further clarification. Here, we review evidence for the potential mechanisms underlying this effect, with a particular focus on how porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP)-derived lysophospholipids (LPLs) may inhibit α-Syn aggregation.
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16
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Reimer L, Gram H, Jensen NM, Betzer C, Yang L, Jin L, Shi M, Boudeffa D, Fusco G, De Simone A, Kirik D, Lashuel HA, Zhang J, Jensen PH. Protein kinase R dependent phosphorylation of α-synuclein regulates its membrane binding and aggregation. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac259. [PMID: 36712380 PMCID: PMC9802061 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulates in the neuronal Lewy body (LB) inclusions in Parkinson's disease (PD) and LB dementia. Yet, under nonpathological conditions, monomeric α-syn is hypothesized to exist in an equilibrium between disordered cytosolic- and partially α-helical lipid-bound states: a feature presumably important in synaptic vesicle release machinery. The exact underlying role of α-syn in these processes, and the mechanisms regulating membrane-binding of α-syn remains poorly understood. Herein we demonstrate that Protein kinase R (PKR) can phosphorylate α-syn at several Ser/Thr residues located in the membrane-binding region that is essential for α-syn's vesicle-interactions. α-Syn phosphorylated by PKR or α-syn isolated from PKR overexpressing cells, exhibit decreased binding to lipid membranes. Phosphorylation of Thr64 and Thr72 appears as the major contributor to this effect, as the phosphomimetic Thr64Glu/Thr72Glu-α-syn mutant displays reduced overall attachment to brain vesicles due to a decrease in vesicle-affinity of the last two thirds of α-syn's membrane binding region. This allows enhancement of the "double-anchor" vesicle-binding mechanism that tethers two vesicles and thus promote the clustering of presynaptic vesicles in vitro. Furthermore, phosphomimetic Thr64Glu/Thr72Glu-α-syn inhibits α-syn oligomerization and completely abolishes nucleation, elongation, and seeding of α-syn fibrillation in vitro and in cells, and prevents trans-synaptic spreading of aggregated α-syn pathology in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Overall, our findings demonstrate that normal and abnormal functions of α-syn, like membrane-binding, synaptic vesicle clustering and aggregation can be regulated by phosphorylation, e.g., via PKR. Mechanisms that could potentially be modulated for the benefit of patients suffering from α-syn aggregate-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hjalte Gram
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Nanna Møller Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Cristine Betzer
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Lorrain Jin
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind Institute, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giuliana Fusco
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases,Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | | | - Deniz Kirik
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind Institute, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA,Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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17
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Fu Y, He Y, Phan K, Bhatia S, Pickford R, Wu P, Dzamko N, Halliday GM, Kim WS. Increased unsaturated lipids underlie lipid peroxidation in synucleinopathy brain. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:165. [PMID: 36376990 PMCID: PMC9664712 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01469-7] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid peroxidation is a process of oxidative degradation of cellular lipids that is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. We were therefore interested in the manifestation of lipid peroxidation in synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the central pathology of α-synuclein aggregates, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease with Lewy bodies. We assessed lipid peroxidation products, lipid aldehydes, in the amygdala, a common disease-affected region in synucleinopathies, and in the visual cortex, a disease-unaffected region. We found that the levels of lipid aldehydes were significantly increased in the amygdala, but not in the visual cortex. We hypothesized that these increases are due to increases in the abundance of unsaturated lipids, since lipid aldehydes are formed from unsaturated lipids. We undertook a comprehensive analysis of membrane lipids using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and found that unsaturated phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin were specifically elevated in the amygdala and correlated with increases in lipid aldehydes. Furthermore, unsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine levels were associated with soluble α-synuclein. Put together, these results suggest that manifestation of lipid peroxidation is prevalent in synucleinopathies and is likely to be due to increases in unsaturated membrane lipids. Our findings underscore the importance of lipid peroxidation in α-synuclein pathology and in membrane structure maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuHong Fu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ying He
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Phan
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Surabhi Bhatia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Russell Pickford
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ping Wu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicolas Dzamko
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales & Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales & Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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18
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Bell R, Thrush RJ, Castellana-Cruz M, Oeller M, Staats R, Nene A, Flagmeier P, Xu CK, Satapathy S, Galvagnion C, Wilson MR, Dobson CM, Kumita JR, Vendruscolo M. N-Terminal Acetylation of α-Synuclein Slows down Its Aggregation Process and Alters the Morphology of the Resulting Aggregates. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1743-1756. [PMID: 35944093 PMCID: PMC9454101 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Parkinson’s disease is associated with the aberrant
aggregation
of α-synuclein. Although the causes of this process are still
unclear, post-translational modifications of α-synuclein are
likely to play a modulatory role. Since α-synuclein is constitutively
N-terminally acetylated, we investigated how this post-translational
modification alters the aggregation behavior of this protein. By applying
a three-pronged aggregation kinetics approach, we observed that N-terminal
acetylation results in a reduced rate of lipid-induced aggregation
and slows down both elongation and fibril-catalyzed aggregate proliferation.
An analysis of the amyloid fibrils produced by the aggregation process
revealed different morphologies for the acetylated and non-acetylated
forms in both lipid-induced aggregation and seed-induced aggregation
assays. In addition, we found that fibrils formed by acetylated α-synuclein
exhibit a lower β-sheet content. These findings indicate that
N-terminal acetylation of α-synuclein alters its lipid-dependent
aggregation behavior, reduces its rate of in vitro aggregation, and
affects the structural properties of its fibrillar aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Bell
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Rebecca J Thrush
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Marta Castellana-Cruz
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Marc Oeller
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Roxine Staats
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Aishwarya Nene
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Patrick Flagmeier
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Catherine K Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Sandeep Satapathy
- Department of Cell Biology, Blavantik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Celine Galvagnion
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Mark R Wilson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
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19
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Guo M, Ji X, Liu J. Hypoxia and Alpha-Synuclein: Inextricable Link Underlying the Pathologic Progression of Parkinson's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:919343. [PMID: 35959288 PMCID: PMC9360429 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.919343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease, with typical motor symptoms as the main clinical manifestations. At present, there are about 10 million patients with PD in the world, and its comorbidities and complications are numerous and incurable. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore the pathogenesis of PD and find possible therapeutic targets. Because the etiology of PD is complex, involving genes, environment, and aging, finding common factors is the key to identifying intervention targets. Hypoxia is ubiquitous in the natural environment and disease states, and it is considered to be closely related to the etiology of PD. Despite research showing that hypoxia increases the expression and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn), the most important pathogenic protein, there is still a lack of systematic studies on the role of hypoxia in α-syn pathology and PD pathogenesis. Considering that hypoxia is inextricably linked with various causes of PD, hypoxia may be a co-participant in many aspects of the PD pathologic process. In this review, we describe the risk factors for PD, and we discuss the possible role of hypoxia in inducing PD pathology by these risk factors. Furthermore, we attribute the pathological changes caused by PD etiology to oxygen uptake disorder and oxygen utilization disorder, thus emphasizing the possibility of hypoxia as a critical link in initiating or promoting α-syn pathology and PD pathogenesis. Our study provides novel insight for exploring the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Guo
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-based Precision Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-based Precision Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Xunming Ji
| | - Jia Liu
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-based Precision Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jia Liu
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20
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Uceda AB, Frau J, Vilanova B, Adrover M. Glycation of α-synuclein hampers its binding to synaptic-like vesicles and its driving effect on their fusion. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:342. [PMID: 35662377 PMCID: PMC9167179 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders affecting the worldwide population. One of its hallmarks is the intraneuronal accumulation of insoluble Lewy bodies (LBs), which cause the death of dopaminergic neurons. α-Synuclein (αS) is the main component of these LBs and in them, it commonly contains non-enzymatic post-translational modifications, such as those resulting from its reaction with reactive carbonyl species arising as side products of the intraneuronal glycolysis (mainly methylglyoxal). Consequently, lysines of the αS found in LBs of diabetic individuals are usually carboxyethylated. A precise comprehension of the effect of Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) on the aggregation of αS and on its physiological function becomes crucial to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes-induced PD. Consequently, we have here used a synthetic αS where all its Lys have been replaced by CEL moieties (αS-CEL), and we have studied how these modifications could impact on the neurotransmission mechanism. This study allows us to describe how the non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) affects the function of a protein like αS, involved in the pathogenesis of PD. CEL decreases the ability of αS to bind micelles, although the micelle-bound fraction of αS-CEL still displays an α-helical fold resembling that of the lipid-bound αS. However, CEL completely abolishes the affinity of αS towards synaptic-like vesicles and, consequently, it hampers its physiological function as a catalyst of the clustering and the fusion of the synaptic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Uceda
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Juan Frau
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Vilanova
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Adrover
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain.
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21
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The Association of Lipids with Amyloid Fibrils. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102108. [PMID: 35688209 PMCID: PMC9293637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid formation continues to be a widely studied area because of its association with numerous diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Despite a large body of work on protein aggregation and fibril formation, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the factors that differentiate toxic amyloid formation in vivo from alternative misfolding pathways. In addition to proteins, amyloid fibrils are often associated in their cellular context with several types of molecule, including carbohydrates, polyanions, and lipids. This review focuses in particular on evidence for the presence of lipids in amyloid fibrils and the routes by which those lipids may become incorporated. Chemical analyses of fibril composition, combined with studies to probe the lipid distribution around fibrils, provide evidence that in some cases, lipids have a strong association with fibrils. In addition, amyloid fibrils formed in the presence of lipids have distinct morphologies and material properties. It is argued that lipids are an integral part of many amyloid deposits in vivo, where their presence has the potential to influence the nucleation, morphology, and mechanical properties of fibrils. The role of lipids in these structures is therefore worthy of further study.
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22
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Blanc F, Bousiges O. Biomarkers and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies including prodromal: Practical aspects. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:472-483. [PMID: 35491246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is a common form of cognitive neurodegenerative disease. More than half of the patients affected are not or misdiagnosed because of the clinical similarity with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease but also psychiatric diseases such as depression or psychosis. In this review, we evaluate the interest of different biomarkers in the diagnostic process: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain MRI, FP-CIT SPECT, MIBG SPECT, perfusion SPECT, FDG-PET by focusing more specifically on differential diagnosis between DLB and AD. FP-CIT SPECT is of high interest to discriminate DLB and AD, but not at the prodromal stage. Brain MRI has shown differences in group study with lower grey matter concentration of the Insula in prodromal DLB, but its interest in clinical routine is not demonstrated. Among the AD biomarkers (t-Tau, phospho-Tau181, Aβ42 and Aβ40) used routinely, t-Tau and phospho-Tau181 have shown excellent discrimination whatever the clinical stages severity. CSF Alpha-synuclein assay in the CSF has also an interest in the discrimination between DLB and AD but not in segregation between DLB and healthy elderly subjects. CSF synuclein RT-QuIC seems to be an excellent biomarker but its application in clinical routine remains to be demonstrated, given the non-automation of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Blanc
- Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, CM2R (Centre Mémoire de Ressource et de Recherche), Hôpital de jour, pôle de Gériatrie, Strasbourg, France; CNRS, laboratoire ICube UMR 7357 et FMTS (Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg), équipe IMIS, Strasbourg, France.
| | - O Bousiges
- CNRS, laboratoire ICube UMR 7357 et FMTS (Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg), équipe IMIS, Strasbourg, France; Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Strasbourg, France
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Silva-Costa LC, Smith BJ. Post-translational Modifications in Brain Diseases: A Future for Biomarkers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1382:129-141. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-05460-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Shan FY, Fung KM, Zieneldien T, Kim J, Cao C, Huang JH. Examining the Toxicity of α-Synuclein in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111126. [PMID: 34833002 PMCID: PMC8621244 DOI: 10.3390/life11111126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neurodegenerative disorders are complex disorders that display a variety of clinical manifestations. The second-most common neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson’s disease, and the leading pathological protein of the disorder is considered to be α-synuclein. Nonetheless, α-synuclein accumulation also seems to result in multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies. In order to obtain a more proficient understanding in the pathological progression of these synucleinopathies, it is crucial to observe the post-translational modifications of α-synuclein and the conformations of α-synuclein, as well as its role in the dysfunction of cellular pathways. Abstract α-synuclein is considered the main pathological protein in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. As of now, numerous studies have been aimed at examining the post-translational modifications of α-synuclein to determine their effects on α-synuclein aggregation, propagation, and oligomerization, as well as the potential cellular pathway dysfunctions caused by α-synuclein, to determine the role of the protein in disease progression. Furthermore, α-synuclein also appears to contribute to the fibrilization of tau and amyloid beta, which are crucial proteins in Alzheimer’s disease, advocating for α-synuclein’s preeminent role in neurodegeneration. Due to this, investigating the mechanisms of toxicity of α-synuclein in neurodegeneration may lead to a more proficient understanding of the timeline progression in neurodegenerative synucleinopathies and could thereby lead to the development of potent targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Y. Shan
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA
- Correspondence: (F.Y.S.); (T.Z.)
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Medical Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
| | - Tarek Zieneldien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (F.Y.S.); (T.Z.)
| | - Janice Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
| | - Chuanhai Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA;
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