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Peng Y, Jiang DY, Yao SY, Zhang X, Kazuo S, Liu J, Du MQ, Lin LX, Chen Q, Jin H. Gene-modified animal models of Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2025; 390:115287. [PMID: 40328415 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2025.115287] [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: 01/29/2025] [Revised: 04/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/30/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that commonly occurs in older individuals and clinically manifests as resting tremors, bradykinesia, muscle stiffness, and impaired postural balance. From a genetic perspective, animal models using gene-editing technologies offer distinct advantages in replicating the pathophysiological traits of PD, while also functionally exploring potential treatment targets. In this review, we highlight the available gene- modified animal models related to various mechanisms of PD, including abnormal expression of alpha-synuclein protein, dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosome system, abnormalities in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We further discuss their respective strengths, limitations, and prospects, aiming to provide the most up to date information for the application of PD animal models and the advancement of anti-PD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Peng
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China..
| | - Dai-Yi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Shun-Yu Yao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Sugimoto Kazuo
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Miao-Qiao Du
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Lan-Xin Lin
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Quan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Hong Jin
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated First Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China.; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
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Lopez FV, O'Shea A, Huo Z, DeKosky ST, Trouard TP, Alexander GE, Woods AJ, Bowers D. Neurocognitive correlates of cerebral mitochondrial function and energy metabolism using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in older adults. GeroScience 2025; 47:2223-2234. [PMID: 39477865 PMCID: PMC11978590 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01403-w] [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: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2025] Open
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to learn about the role of cerebral mitochondrial function on cognition. Based on established cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, and cognitive aging literature, we hypothesized mitochondrial function within a focal brain region would map onto cognitive behaviors linked to that brain region. To test this hypothesis, we used phosphorous (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to derive indirect markers of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism across two regions of the brain (bifrontal, left temporal). We administered cognitive tasks sensitive to frontal-executive or temporal-hippocampal systems to a sample of 70 cognitively unimpaired older adults with subjective memory complaints and a first-degree family history of Alzheimer's disease and predicted better executive function and recent memory performance would be related to greater frontal and temporal 31P MRS indirect markers, respectively. Results of separate hierarchical linear regressions indicated better recent memory scores were related to 31P MRS indirect markers of lower static energy and higher energy reserve within the left temporal voxel; these findings were associated with moderate effect sizes. Contrary to predictions, executive function performance was unrelated to 31P MRS indirect markers within the bilateral frontal voxel, which may reflect a combination of theoretical and/or methodological issues. Findings represent a snapshot of the relationship between cognition and 31P MRS indirect markers of mitochondrial function, providing potential avenues for future work investigating mitochondrial underpinnings of cognition. 31P MRS may provide a sensitive neuroimaging marker for differences in aspects of memory among persons at-risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca V Lopez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Andrew O'Shea
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology and Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Florida and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Theodore P Trouard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona and Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Gene E Alexander
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona and Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dawn Bowers
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Fixel Center of Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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3
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Wei Z, Iyer MR, Zhao B, Deng J, Mitchell CS. Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Comparative Analysis of the Overlapping Molecular Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:13450. [PMID: 39769215 PMCID: PMC11678588 DOI: 10.3390/ijms252413450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2024] [Revised: 11/27/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025] Open
Abstract
The overlapping molecular pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) was analyzed using relationships from a knowledge graph of 33+ million biomedical journal articles. The unsupervised learning rank aggregation algorithm from SemNet 2.0 compared the most important amino acid, peptide, and protein (AAPP) nodes connected to AD, ALS, or FTD. FTD shared 99.9% of its nodes with ALS and AD; AD shared 64.2% of its nodes with FTD and ALS; and ALS shared 68.3% of its nodes with AD and FTD. The results were validated and mapped to functional biological processes using supervised human supervision and an external large language model. The overall percentages of mapped intersecting biological processes were as follows: inflammation and immune response, 19%; synapse and neurotransmission, 19%; cell cycle, 15%; protein aggregation, 12%; membrane regulation, 11%; stress response and regulation, 9%; and gene regulation, 4%. Once normalized for node count, biological mappings for cell cycle regulation and stress response were more prominent in the intersection of AD and FTD. Protein aggregation, gene regulation, and energetics were more prominent in the intersection of ALS and FTD. Synapse and neurotransmission, membrane regulation, and inflammation and immune response were greater at the intersection of AD and ALS. Given the extensive molecular pathophysiology overlap, small differences in regulation, genetic, or environmental factors likely shape the underlying expressed disease phenotype. The results help prioritize testable hypotheses for future clinical or experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Wei
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Meghna R. Iyer
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Benjamin Zhao
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jennifer Deng
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Cassie S. Mitchell
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Center for Machine Learning at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Ferretti S, Zanella I. The Underestimated Role of Iron in Frontotemporal Dementia: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:12987. [PMID: 39684697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms252312987] [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: 10/31/2024] [Revised: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 12/02/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The term frontotemporal dementia (FTD) comprises a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain with language impairment and changes in cognitive, behavioral and executive functions, and in some cases motor manifestations. A high proportion of FTD cases are due to genetic mutations and inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner with variable penetrance depending on the implicated gene. Iron is a crucial microelement that is involved in several cellular essential functions in the whole body and plays additional specialized roles in the central nervous system (CNS) mainly through its redox-cycling properties. Such a feature may be harmful under aerobic conditions, since it may lead to the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Dysfunctions of iron homeostasis in the CNS are indeed involved in several neurodegenerative disorders, although it is still challenging to determine whether the dyshomeostasis of this essential but harmful metal is a direct cause of neurodegeneration, a contributor factor or simply a consequence of other neurodegenerative mechanisms. Unlike many other neurodegenerative disorders, evidence of the dysfunction in brain iron homeostasis in FTD is still scarce; nonetheless, the recent literature intriguingly suggests its possible involvement. The present review aims to summarize what is currently known about the contribution of iron dyshomeostasis in FTD based on clinical, imaging, histological, biochemical and molecular studies, further suggesting new perspectives and offering new insights for future investigations on this underexplored field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ferretti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Zanella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Diagnostic Department, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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5
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Scheiblich H, Eikens F, Wischhof L, Opitz S, Jüngling K, Cserép C, Schmidt SV, Lambertz J, Bellande T, Pósfai B, Geck C, Spitzer J, Odainic A, Castro-Gomez S, Schwartz S, Boussaad I, Krüger R, Glaab E, Di Monte DA, Bano D, Dénes Á, Latz E, Melki R, Pape HC, Heneka MT. Microglia rescue neurons from aggregate-induced neuronal dysfunction and death through tunneling nanotubes. Neuron 2024; 112:3106-3125.e8. [PMID: 39059388 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are crucial for maintaining brain health and neuron function. Here, we report that microglia establish connections with neurons using tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in both physiological and pathological conditions. These TNTs facilitate the rapid exchange of organelles, vesicles, and proteins. In neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, toxic aggregates of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and tau accumulate within neurons. Our research demonstrates that microglia use TNTs to extract neurons from these aggregates, restoring neuronal health. Additionally, microglia share their healthy mitochondria with burdened neurons, reducing oxidative stress and normalizing gene expression. Disrupting mitochondrial function with antimycin A before TNT formation eliminates this neuroprotection. Moreover, co-culturing neurons with microglia and promoting TNT formation rescues suppressed neuronal activity caused by α-syn or tau aggregates. Notably, TNT-mediated aggregate transfer is compromised in microglia carrying Lrrk22(Gly2019Ser) or Trem2(T66M) and (R47H) mutations, suggesting a role in the pathology of these gene variants in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Scheiblich
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frederik Eikens
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lena Wischhof
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sabine Opitz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Csaba Cserép
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Susanne V Schmidt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Tracy Bellande
- Institut François Jacob, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Balázs Pósfai
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Charlotte Geck
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jasper Spitzer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandru Odainic
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Ibrahim Boussaad
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Rejko Krüger
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Enrico Glaab
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | - Daniele Bano
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ádám Dénes
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eike Latz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; Institute of innate immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut François Jacob, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael T Heneka
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg; Institute of innate immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts, Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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6
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Lopez FV, O'Shea A, Huo Z, DeKosky ST, Trouard TP, Alexander GE, Woods AJ, Bowers D. Frontal-temporal regional differences in brain energy metabolism and mitochondrial function using 31P MRS in older adults. GeroScience 2024; 46:3185-3195. [PMID: 38225480 PMCID: PMC11009166 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-01046-3] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a major risk for cognitive decline and transition to dementia. One well-known age-related change involves decreased brain efficiency and energy production, mediated in part by changes in mitochondrial function. Damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the current study was to investigate mitochondrial function over frontal and temporal regions in a sample of 70 cognitively normal older adults with subjective memory complaints and a first-degree family history of AD. We hypothesized cerebral mitochondrial function and energy metabolism would be greater in temporal as compared to frontal regions based on the high energy consumption in the temporal lobes (i.e., hippocampus). To test this hypothesis, we used phosphorous (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) which is a non-invasive and powerful method for investigating in vivo mitochondrial function via high energy phosphates and phospholipid metabolism ratios. We used a single voxel method (left temporal and bilateral prefrontal) to achieve optimal sensitivity. Results of separate repeated measures analyses of variance showed 31P MRS ratios of static energy, energy reserve, energy consumption, energy demand, and phospholipid membrane metabolism were greater in the left temporal than bilateral prefrontal voxels. Our findings that all 31P MRS ratios were greater in temporal than bifrontal regions support our hypothesis. Future studies are needed to determine whether findings are related to cognition in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca V Lopez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Andrew O'Shea
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology, Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Theodore P Trouard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona and Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Gene E Alexander
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona and Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dawn Bowers
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Neurology, Fixel Center of Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Baev AY, Vinokurov AY, Potapova EV, Dunaev AV, Angelova PR, Abramov AY. Mitochondrial Permeability Transition, Cell Death and Neurodegeneration. Cells 2024; 13:648. [PMID: 38607087 PMCID: PMC11011324 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic conditions occurring when neurons die in specific brain regions that lead to loss of movement or cognitive functions. Despite the progress in understanding the mechanisms of this pathology, currently no cure exists to treat these types of diseases: for some of them the only help is alleviating the associated symptoms. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of most the neurodegenerative disorders. The fast and transient permeability of mitochondria (the mitochondrial permeability transition, mPT) has been shown to be an initial step in the mechanism of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, which acts as a regulator of tissue regeneration for postmitotic neurons as it leads to the irreparable loss of cells and cell function. In this study, we review the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition in neuronal death in major neurodegenerative diseases, covering the inductors of mPTP opening in neurons, including the major ones-free radicals and calcium-and we discuss perspectives and difficulties in the development of a neuroprotective strategy based on the inhibition of mPTP in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom Y. Baev
- Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics, Centre for Advanced Technologies, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan;
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan
| | - Andrey Y. Vinokurov
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel 302026, Russia; (A.Y.V.); (E.V.P.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Elena V. Potapova
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel 302026, Russia; (A.Y.V.); (E.V.P.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Andrey V. Dunaev
- Cell Physiology and Pathology Laboratory, Orel State University, Orel 302026, Russia; (A.Y.V.); (E.V.P.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Plamena R. Angelova
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
| | - Andrey Y. Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
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Jamet M, Dupuis L, Gonzalez De Aguilar JL. Oligodendrocytes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia: the new players on stage. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1375330. [PMID: 38585368 PMCID: PMC10995329 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1375330] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders that share clinical, neuropathological and genetic features, which forms part of a multi-system disease spectrum. The pathological process leading to ALS and FTD is the result of the combination of multiple mechanisms that operate within specific populations of neurons and glial cells. The implication of oligodendrocytes has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review we summarize our current knowledge on the alterations specific to myelin and the oligodendrocyte lineage occurring in ALS and FTD. We also consider different ways by which specific oligodendroglial alterations influence neurodegeneration and highlight the important role of oligodendrocytes in these two intrinsically associated neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jose-Luis Gonzalez De Aguilar
- Strasbourg Translational Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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9
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Liu Y, He X, Yuan Y, Li B, Liu Z, Li W, Li K, Tan S, Zhu Q, Tang Z, Han F, Wu Z, Shen L, Jiang H, Tang B, Qiu J, Hu Z, Wang J. Association of TRMT2B gene variants with juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Med 2024; 18:68-80. [PMID: 37874476 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1005-y] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons, and it demonstrates high clinical heterogeneity and complex genetic architecture. A variation within TRMT2B (c.1356G>T; p.K452N) was identified to be associated with ALS in a family comprising two patients with juvenile ALS (JALS). Two missense variations and one splicing variation were identified in 10 patients with ALS in a cohort with 910 patients with ALS, and three more variants were identified in a public ALS database including 3317 patients with ALS. A decreased number of mitochondria, swollen mitochondria, lower expression of ND1, decreased mitochondrial complex I activities, lower mitochondrial aerobic respiration, and a high level of ROS were observed functionally in patient-originated lymphoblastoid cell lines and TRMT2B interfering HEK293 cells. Further, TRMT2B variations overexpression cells also displayed decreased ND1. In conclusion, a novel JALS-associated gene called TRMT2B was identified, thus broadening the clinical and genetic spectrum of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Jiangxi, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Nanchang, 330038, China
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Xi He
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310002, China
| | - Yanchun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Wanzhen Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Kaixuan Li
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Shuo Tan
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Quan Zhu
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Zhengyan Tang
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Feng Han
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ziqiang Wu
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jian Qiu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Zhengmao Hu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Jiangxi, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Nanchang, 330038, China.
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, 410078, China.
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10
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Wen D, Ji Y, Li Y, Duan W, Wang Y, Li Z, Tao M, Liu Y. OPTN gene therapy increases autophagy and protects mitochondria in SOD1-G93A-expressing transgenic mice and cells. FEBS J 2024; 291:795-813. [PMID: 37983563 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17009] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) death. Mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, which results in abnormal protein aggregation, is one of the causes of familial ALS. Autophagic dysfunction occurs in SOD1-G93A mutant mice as the disease progresses, but the etiology of this disease is still unclear. Optineurin (OPTN) is an adaptor that is involved in autophagy and participates in aggrephagy and mitophagy. Previous studies have established that OPTN mutations contribute to diseases such as glaucoma and ALS. However, the function of OPTN in autophagy and mitophagy has not been intensively investigated in models of ALS. In this study, we assessed the beneficial effect of OPTN on autophagy and mitochondrial function by intrathecally injecting adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-OPTN into SOD1-G93A transgenic mice and by administering lentivirus (LV)-OPTN to cells expressing the SOD1-G93A mutant protein. The expression of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) was increased and autophagy was elevated after OPTN gene therapy, as shown by a lower level of p62 and a higher level of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II. Moreover, using electron microscopy, we observed a hyperpolarized mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reversal of mitochondrial morphological abnormalities. Furthermore, the protein level of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) was increased, suggesting that mitophagy was increased. Our findings from both animal and cell line studies strongly suggest that OPTN gene therapy is a powerful strategy to increase autophagy and protect mitochondria to prevent the progression of ALS and could be effective in the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yingxiao Ji
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Weisong Duan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhongyao Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meichun Tao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yakun Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
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11
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Gnaiger E. Complex II ambiguities-FADH 2 in the electron transfer system. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105470. [PMID: 38118236 PMCID: PMC10772739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevailing notion that reduced cofactors NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to the mitochondrial electron transfer system creates ambiguities regarding respiratory Complex II (CII). CII is the only membrane-bound enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and is part of the electron transfer system of the mitochondrial inner membrane feeding electrons into the coenzyme Q-junction. The succinate dehydrogenase subunit SDHA of CII oxidizes succinate and reduces the covalently bound prosthetic group FAD to FADH2 in the canonical forward tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, several graphical representations of the electron transfer system depict FADH2 in the mitochondrial matrix as a substrate to be oxidized by CII. This leads to the false conclusion that FADH2 from the β-oxidation cycle in fatty acid oxidation feeds electrons into CII. In reality, dehydrogenases of fatty acid oxidation channel electrons to the Q-junction but not through CII. The ambiguities surrounding Complex II in the literature and educational resources call for quality control, to secure scientific standards in current communications of bioenergetics, and ultimately support adequate clinical applications. This review aims to raise awareness of the inherent ambiguity crisis, complementing efforts to address the well-acknowledged issues of credibility and reproducibility.
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12
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Belosludtseva NV, Matveeva LA, Belosludtsev KN. Mitochondrial Dyshomeostasis as an Early Hallmark and a Therapeutic Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16833. [PMID: 38069154 PMCID: PMC10706047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal multisystem disease characterized by progressive death of motor neurons, loss of muscle mass, and impaired energy metabolism. More than 40 genes are now known to be associated with ALS, which together account for the majority of familial forms of ALS and only 10% of sporadic ALS cases. To date, there is no consensus on the pathogenesis of ALS, which makes it difficult to develop effective therapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondria, which play an important role in cellular homeostasis, are the earliest targets in ALS, and abnormalities in their structure and functions contribute to the development of bioenergetic stress and disease progression. Mitochondria are known to be highly dynamic organelles, and their stability is maintained through a number of key regulatory pathways. Mitochondrial homeostasis is dynamically regulated via mitochondrial biogenesis, clearance, fission/fusion, and trafficking; however, the processes providing "quality control" and distribution of the organelles are prone to dysregulation in ALS. Here, we systematically summarized changes in mitochondrial turnover, dynamics, calcium homeostasis, and alterations in mitochondrial transport and functions to provide in-depth insights into disease progression pathways, which may have a significant impact on current symptomatic therapies and personalized treatment programs for patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V. Belosludtseva
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya 3, Pushchino 142290, Russia;
| | - Lyudmila A. Matveeva
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, Yoshkar-Ola 424001, Russia;
| | - Konstantin N. Belosludtsev
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya 3, Pushchino 142290, Russia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, Yoshkar-Ola 424001, Russia;
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13
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Rogers MF, Marshall OJ, Secombe J. KDM5-mediated activation of genes required for mitochondrial biology is necessary for viability in Drosophila. Development 2023; 150:dev202024. [PMID: 37800333 PMCID: PMC10651110 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Histone-modifying proteins play important roles in the precise regulation of the transcriptional programs that coordinate development. KDM5 family proteins interact with chromatin through demethylation of H3K4me3 as well as demethylase-independent mechanisms that remain less understood. To gain fundamental insights into the transcriptional activities of KDM5 proteins, we examined the essential roles of the single Drosophila Kdm5 ortholog during development. KDM5 performs crucial functions in the larval neuroendocrine prothoracic gland, providing a model to study its role in regulating key gene expression programs. Integrating genome binding and transcriptomic data, we identify that KDM5 regulates the expression of genes required for the function and maintenance of mitochondria, and we find that loss of KDM5 causes morphological changes to mitochondria. This is key to the developmental functions of KDM5, as expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis transcription factor Ets97D, homolog of GABPα, is able to suppress the altered mitochondrial morphology as well as the lethality of Kdm5 null animals. Together, these data establish KDM5-mediated cellular functions that are important for normal development and could contribute to KDM5-linked disorders when dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F. Rogers
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Owen J. Marshall
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Julie Secombe
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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14
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de la Fuente AG, Pelucchi S, Mertens J, Di Luca M, Mauceri D, Marcello E. Novel therapeutic approaches to target neurodegeneration. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:1651-1673. [PMID: 36965025 PMCID: PMC10952850 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageing is the main risk factor common to most primary neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, age-related brain alterations have been long considered to predispose to neurodegeneration. Although protein misfolding and the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates have been considered as causative events in neurodegeneration, several other biological pathways affected by brain ageing also contribute to pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the evidence showing the involvement of the mechanisms controlling neuronal structure, gene expression, autophagy, cell metabolism and neuroinflammation in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, we review the therapeutic strategies currently under development or as future approaches designed to normalize these pathways, which may then increase brain resilience to cope with toxic protein species. In addition to therapies targeting the insoluble protein aggregates specifically associated with each neurodegenerative disorder, these novel pharmacological approaches may be part of combined therapies designed to rescue brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alerie G. de la Fuente
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL)AlicanteSpain
- Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC‐UMHAlicanteSpain
- Wellcome‐Wolfson Institute for Experimental MedicineQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Silvia Pelucchi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
- Institute of Molecular BiologyLeopold‐Franzens‐Universität InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Institute of Molecular BiologyLeopold‐Franzens‐Universität InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Monica Di Luca
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Daniela Mauceri
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyDepartment of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, University of MarburgMarburgGermany
- Department of NeurobiologyInterdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
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15
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Nemtsova Y, Steinert BL, Wharton KA. Compartment specific mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila knock-in model of ALS reversed by altered gene expression of OXPHOS subunits and pro-fission factor Drp1. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103834. [PMID: 36868541 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal multisystem neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a loss in motor function. ALS is genetically diverse, with mutations in genes ranging from those regulating RNA metabolism, like TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and Fused in sarcoma (FUS), to those that act to maintain cellular redox homeostasis, like superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Although varied in genetic origin, pathogenic and clinical commonalities are clearly evident between cases of ALS. Defects in mitochondria is one such common pathology, thought to occur prior to, rather than as a consequence of symptom onset, making these organelles a promising therapeutic target for ALS, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Depending on the homeostatic needs of neurons throughout life, mitochondria are normally shuttled to different subcellular compartments to regulate metabolite and energy production, lipid metabolism, and buffer calcium. While originally considered a motor neuron disease due to the dramatic loss in motor function accompanied by motor neuron cell death in ALS patients, many studies have now implicated non-motor neurons and glial cells alike. Defects in non-motor neuron cell types often preceed motor neuron death suggesting their dysfunction may initiate and/or facilitate the decline in motor neuron health. Here, we investigate mitochondria in a Drosophila Sod1 knock-in model of ALS. In depth, in vivo, examination reveals mitochondrial dysfunction evident prior to onset of motor neuron degeneration. Genetically encoded redox biosensors identify a general disruption in the electron transport chain (ETC). Compartment specific abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology is observed in diseased sensory neurons, accompanied by no apparent defects in the axonal transport machinery, but instead an increase in mitophagy in synaptic regions. The decrease in networked mitochondria at the synapse is reversed upon downregulation of the pro-fission factor Drp1. Furthermore, altered expression of specific OXPHOS subunits reverses ALS-associated defects in mitochondrial morphology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Nemtsova
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
| | - B L Steinert
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
| | - K A Wharton
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States; Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
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16
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Hemmati S, Rasekhi Kazerooni H. Polypharmacological Cell-Penetrating Peptides from Venomous Marine Animals Based on Immunomodulating, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Properties. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20120763. [PMID: 36547910 PMCID: PMC9787916 DOI: 10.3390/md20120763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex pathological diseases, such as cancer, infection, and Alzheimer's, need to be targeted by multipronged curative. Various omics technologies, with a high rate of data generation, demand artificial intelligence to translate these data into druggable targets. In this study, 82 marine venomous animal species were retrieved, and 3505 cryptic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) were identified in their toxins. A total of 279 safe peptides were further analyzed for antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory characteristics. Protease-resistant CPPs with endosomal-escape ability in Hydrophis hardwickii, nuclear-localizing peptides in Scorpaena plumieri, and mitochondrial-targeting peptides from Synanceia horrida were suitable for compartmental drug delivery. A broad-spectrum S. horrida-derived antimicrobial peptide with a high binding-affinity to bacterial membranes was an antigen-presenting cell (APC) stimulator that primes cytokine release and naïve T-cell maturation simultaneously. While antibiofilm and wound-healing peptides were detected in Synanceia verrucosa, APC epitopes as universal adjuvants for antiviral vaccination were in Pterois volitans and Conus monile. Conus pennaceus-derived anticancer peptides showed antiangiogenic and IL-2-inducing properties with moderate BBB-permeation and were defined to be a tumor-homing peptide (THP) with the ability to inhibit programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1). Isoforms of RGD-containing peptides with innate antiangiogenic characteristics were in Conus tessulatus for tumor targeting. Inhibitors of neuropilin-1 in C. pennaceus are proposed for imaging probes or therapeutic delivery. A Conus betulinus cryptic peptide, with BBB-permeation, mitochondrial-targeting, and antioxidant capacity, was a stimulator of anti-inflammatory cytokines and non-inducer of proinflammation proposed for Alzheimer's. Conclusively, we have considered the dynamic interaction of cells, their microenvironment, and proportional-orchestrating-host- immune pathways by multi-target-directed CPPs resembling single-molecule polypharmacology. This strategy might fill the therapeutic gap in complex resistant disorders and increase the candidates' clinical-translation chance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Hemmati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71345-1583, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71345-1583, Iran
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +98-7132-424-128
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17
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Fernandez-Abascal J, Artal-Sanz M. Prohibitins in neurodegeneration and mitochondrial homeostasis. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:1043300. [PMID: 36404989 PMCID: PMC9674034 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.1043300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of age-related neurodegenerative disorders has risen with the increase of life expectancy. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of such disorders is in most cases only possible when the neurodegeneration status is already advanced, and symptoms are evident. Although age-related neurodegeneration is a common phenomenon in living animals, the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind remain poorly understood. Pathways leading to neurodegeneration usually diverge from a common starting point, mitochondrial stress, which can serve as a potential target for early diagnosis and treatments. Interestingly, the evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial prohibitin (PHB) complex is a key regulator of ageing and metabolism that has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, its role in neurodegeneration is still not well characterized. The PHB complex shows protective or toxic effects in different genetic and physiological contexts, while mitochondrial and cellular stress promote both up and downregulation of PHB expression. With this review we aim to shed light into the complex world of PHB’s function in neurodegeneration by putting together the latest advances in neurodegeneration and mitochondrial homeostasis associated with PHB. A better understanding of the role of PHB in neurodegeneration will add knowledge to neuron deterioration during ageing and help to identify early molecular markers of mitochondrial stress. This review will deepen our understanding of age-related neurodegeneration and provide questions to be addressed, relevant to human health and to improve the life quality of the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Fernandez-Abascal
- Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD), CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jesus Fernandez-Abascal, ; Marta Artal-Sanz,
| | - Marta Artal-Sanz
- Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD), CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jesus Fernandez-Abascal, ; Marta Artal-Sanz,
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18
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Zhang C, Chen S, Li X, Xu Q, Lin Y, Lin F, Yuan M, Zi Y, Cai J. Progress in Parkinson's disease animal models of genetic defects: Characteristics and application. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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19
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Gelon PA, Dutchak PA, Sephton CF. Synaptic dysfunction in ALS and FTD: anatomical and molecular changes provide insights into mechanisms of disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1000183. [PMID: 36263379 PMCID: PMC9575515 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic loss is a pathological feature of all neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ALS is a disease of the cortical and spinal motor neurons resulting in fatal paralysis due to denervation of muscles. FTD is a form of dementia that primarily affects brain regions controlling cognition, language and behavior. Once classified as two distinct diseases, ALS and FTD are now considered as part of a common disease spectrum based on overlapping clinical, pathological and genetic evidence. At the cellular level, aggregation of common proteins and overlapping gene susceptibilities are shared in both ALS and FTD. Despite the convergence of these two fields of research, the underlying disease mechanisms remain elusive. However, recent discovers from ALS and FTD patient studies and models of ALS/FTD strongly suggests that synaptic dysfunction is an early event in the disease process and a unifying hallmark of these diseases. This review provides a summary of the reported anatomical and cellular changes that occur in cortical and spinal motor neurons in ALS and FTD tissues and models of disease. We also highlight studies that identify changes in the proteome and transcriptome of ALS and FTD models and provide a conceptual overview of the processes that contribute to synaptic dysfunction in these diseases. Due to space limitations and the vast number of publications in the ALS and FTD fields, many articles have not been discussed in this review. As such, this review focuses on the three most common shared mutations in ALS and FTD, the hexanucleuotide repeat expansion within intron 1 of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72), transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TARDBP or TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS), with the intention of highlighting common pathways that promote synaptic dysfunction in the ALS-FTD disease spectrum.
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20
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Shadfar S, Brocardo M, Atkin JD. The Complex Mechanisms by Which Neurons Die Following DNA Damage in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052484. [PMID: 35269632 PMCID: PMC8910227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cells are exposed to numerous exogenous and endogenous insults every day. Unlike other molecules, DNA cannot be replaced by resynthesis, hence damage to DNA can have major consequences for the cell. The DNA damage response contains overlapping signalling networks that repair DNA and hence maintain genomic integrity, and aberrant DNA damage responses are increasingly described in neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, DNA repair declines during aging, which is the biggest risk factor for these conditions. If unrepaired, the accumulation of DNA damage results in death to eliminate cells with defective genomes. This is particularly important for postmitotic neurons because they have a limited capacity to proliferate, thus they must be maintained for life. Neuronal death is thus an important process in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the inability of neurons to divide renders them susceptible to senescence or re-entry to the cell cycle. The field of cell death has expanded significantly in recent years, and many new mechanisms have been described in various cell types, including neurons. Several of these mechanisms are linked to DNA damage. In this review, we provide an overview of the cell death pathways induced by DNA damage that are relevant to neurons and discuss the possible involvement of these mechanisms in neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Shadfar
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Mariana Brocardo
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Julie D. Atkin
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Correspondence:
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