Pin1 affects Tau phosphorylation in response to Aβ oligomers

Pin1-Catalyzed Conformation Changes Regulate Protein Ubiquitination and Degradation

The unique prolyl isomerase Pin1 binds to and catalyzes cis-trans conformational changes of specific Ser/Thr-Pro motifs after phosphorylation, thereby playing a pivotal role in regulating the structure and function of its protein substrates. In particular, Pin1 activity regulates the affinity of a substrate for E3 ubiquitin ligases, thereby modulating the turnover of a subset of proteins and coordinating their activities after phosphorylation in both physiological and disease states. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in Pin1-regulated ubiquitination in the context of cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Specifically, Pin1 promotes cancer progression by increasing the stabilities of numerous oncoproteins and decreasing the stabilities of many tumor suppressors. Meanwhile, Pin1 plays a critical role in different neurodegenerative disorders via the regulation of protein turnover. Finally, we propose a novel therapeutic approach wherein the ubiquitin-proteasome system can be leveraged for therapy by targeting pathogenic intracellular targets for TRIM21-dependent degradation using stereospecific antibodies.

Pin1 and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an immense and growing public health crisis. Despite over 100 years of investigation, the etiology remains elusive and therapy ineffective. Despite current gaps in knowledge, recent studies have identified dysfunction or loss-of-function of Pin1, a unique cis-trans peptidyl prolyl isomerase, as an important step in AD pathogenesis. Here I review the functionality of Pin1 and its role in neurodegeneration.

MicroRNA-140-5p inhibitor attenuates memory impairment induced by amyloid-ß oligomer in vivo possibly through Pin1 regulation

AIMS

The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, Pin1, has a protective role in age-related neurodegeneration by targeting different phosphorylation sites of tau and the key proteins required to produce Amyloid-β, which are the well-known molecular signatures of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. The direct interaction of miR-140-5p with Pin1 mRNA and its inhibitory role in protein translation has been identified. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of miRNA-140-5p inhibition in promoting Pin1 expression and the therapeutic potential of the AntimiR-140-5p in the Aß oligomer (AßO)-induced AD rat model.

METHODS

Spatial learning and memory were assessed in the Morris water maze. RT-PCR, western blot, and histological assays were performed on hippocampal samples at various time points after treatments. miRNA-140-5p inhibition enhanced Pin1 and ADAM10 mRNA expressions but has little effect on Pin1 protein level.

RESULTS

The miRNA-140-5p inhibitor markedly ameliorated spatial learning and memory deficits induced by AßO, and concomitantly suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators TNFα and IL-1β, and phosphorylation of tau at three key sites (thr231, ser396, and ser404) as well as increased phosphorylated Ser473-Akt.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, Antimir-140-mediated improvement of AβO-induced neuronal injury and memory impairment in rats may provide an appropriate rationale for evaluating miR-140-5p inhibitors as a promising agent for the treatment of AD.

Death-associated protein kinase 1 mediates Aβ42 aggregation-induced neuronal apoptosis and tau dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease

The aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into oligomers and fibrils is a key pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). An increasing amount of evidence suggests that oligomeric Aβ might be the major culprit responsible for various neuropathological changes in AD. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is abnormally elevated in brains of AD patients and plays an important role in modulating tau homeostasis by regulating prolyl isomerase Pin1 phosphorylation. However, it remains elusive whether and how Aβ species influence the function of DAPK1, and whether this may further affect the function and phosphorylation of tau in neurons. Herein, we demonstrated that Aβ aggregates (both oligomers and fibrils) prepared from synthetic Aβ42 peptides were able to upregulate DAPK1 protein levels and thereby its function through heat shock protein 90 (HSP90)-mediated protein stabilization. DAPK1 activation not only caused neuronal apoptosis, but also phosphorylated Pin1 at the Ser71 residue, leading to tau accumulation and phosphorylation at multiple AD-related sites in primary neurons. Both DAPK1 knockout (KO) and the application of a specific DAPK1 inhibitor could effectively protect primary neurons against Aβ aggregate-induced cell death and tau dysregulation, corroborating the critical role of DAPK1 in mediating Aβ aggregation-induced neuronal damage. Our study suggests a mechanistic link between Aβ oligomerization and tau hyperphosphorylation mediated by DAPK1, and supports the role of DAPK1 as a promising target for early intervention in AD.

Peptidyl-Prolyl Cis/Trans Isomerase Pin1 and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia with cognitive decline. The neuropathology of AD is characterized by intracellular aggregation of neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau and extracellular deposition of senile plaques composed of beta-amyloid peptides derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP). The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 binds to phosphorylated serine or threonine residues preceding proline and regulates the biological functions of its substrates. Although Pin1 is tightly regulated under physiological conditions, Pin1 deregulation in the brain contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. In this review, we discuss the expression and regulatory mechanisms of Pin1 in AD. We also focus on the molecular mechanisms by which Pin1 controls two major proteins, tau and APP, after phosphorylation and their signaling cascades. Moreover, the major impact of Pin1 deregulation on the progression of AD in animal models is discussed. This information will lead to a better understanding of Pin1 signaling pathways in the brain and may provide therapeutic options for the treatment of AD.

The Quest for Cellular Prion Protein Functions in the Aged and Neurodegenerating Brain

Cellular (also termed ‘natural’) prion protein has been extensively studied for many years for its pathogenic role in prionopathies after misfolding. However, neuroprotective properties of the protein have been demonstrated under various scenarios. In this line, the involvement of the cellular prion protein in neurodegenerative diseases other than prionopathies continues to be widely debated by the scientific community. In fact, studies on knock-out mice show a vast range of physiological functions for the protein that can be supported by its ability as a cell surface scaffold protein. In this review, we first summarize the most commonly described roles of cellular prion protein in neuroprotection, including antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities and modulation of glutamate receptors. Second, in light of recently described interaction between cellular prion protein and some amyloid misfolded proteins, we will also discuss the molecular mechanisms potentially involved in protection against neurodegeneration in pathologies such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases.

It's all about tau

Tau is a protein that is highly enriched in neurons and was originally defined by its ability to bind and stabilize microtubules. However, it is now becoming evident that the functions of tau extend beyond its ability to modulate microtubule dynamics. Tau plays a role in mediating axonal transport, synaptic structure and function, and neuronal signaling pathways. Although tau plays important physiological roles in neurons, its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, and most prominently in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD), has directed the majority of tau studies. However, a thorough knowledge of the physiological functions of tau and its post-translational modifications under normal conditions are necessary to provide the foundation for understanding its role in pathological settings. In this review, we will focus on human tau, summarizing tau structure and organization, as well as its posttranslational modifications associated with physiological processes. We will highlight possible mechanisms involved in mediating the turnover of tau and finally discuss newly elucidated tau functions in a physiological context.

Structure and pro-toxic mechanism of the human Hsp90/PPIase/Tau complex

The molecular chaperone Hsp90 is critical for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and represents a promising drug target. Despite increasing knowledge on the structure of Hsp90, the molecular basis of substrate recognition and pro-folding by Hsp90/co-chaperone complexes remains unknown. Here, we report the solution structures of human full-length Hsp90 in complex with the PPIase FKBP51, as well as the 280 kDa Hsp90/FKBP51 complex bound to the Alzheimer’s disease-related protein Tau. We reveal that the FKBP51/Hsp90 complex, which synergizes to promote toxic Tau oligomers in vivo, is highly dynamic and stabilizes the extended conformation of the Hsp90 dimer resulting in decreased Hsp90 ATPase activity. Within the ternary Hsp90/FKBP51/Tau complex, Hsp90 serves as a scaffold that traps the PPIase and nucleates multiple conformations of Tau’s proline-rich region next to the PPIase catalytic pocket in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Our study defines a conceptual model for dynamic Hsp90/co-chaperone/client recognition.

The chaperone Hsp90 plays a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Here the authors provide structural insights into substrate recognition and the pro-folding mechanism of Hsp90/co-chaperone complexes by studying the complex of Hsp90 with its co-chaperone FKBP51 and the substrate Tau bound Hsp90/FKBP51 ternary complex using a NMR based integrative approach.

The Involvement of Aβ42 and Tau in Nucleolar and Protein Synthesis Machinery Dysfunction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is distinguished from other dementias by observation of extracellular Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, comprised of fibrils of Aβ and tau protein, respectively. At early stages, AD is characterized by minimal neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, nucleolar stress, and altered protein synthesis machinery. It is generally believed that Aβ oligomers are the neurotoxic species and their levels in the AD brain correlate with the severity of dementia suggesting that they play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Here, we show that the incubation of differentiated human neuroblastoma cells (SHSY5Y) with freshly prepared Aβ42 oligomers initially resulted in oxidative stress and subtle nucleolar stress in the absence of DNA damage or cell death. The presence of exogenous Aβ oligomers resulted in altered nuclear tau levels as well as phosphorylation state, leading to altered distribution of nucleolar tau associated with nucleolar stress. These markers of cellular dysfunction worsen over time alongside a reduction in ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing, a decrease in global level of newly synthesized RNA and reduced protein synthesis. The interplay between Aβ and tau in AD remains intriguing and Aβ toxicity has been linked to tau phosphorylation and changes in localization. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of Aβ42 effects on nucleolar tau and protein synthesis machinery dysfunction in cultured cells. Protein synthesis dysfunction is observed in mild cognitive impairment and early AD in the absence of significant neuronal death.

Hippocampal Aβ expression, but not phosphorylated tau, predicts cognitive deficits following repeated peripheral poly I:C administration

Alzheimer's disease is marked by the accumulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide, and increases in phosphorylation of the microtubule associated protein, tau. Changes in these proteins are considered responsible, in part, for the progressive neuronal degeneration and cognitive deficits seen in AD. We examined the effect of repeated consecutive peripheral poly I:C injections on cognitive deficits, central Aβ, and phosphorylated tau accumulation, following three treatment durations: 7, 14, and 21 days. Forty-eight hours after the final injection, animals were trained in a contextual fear-conditioning paradigm, and tested 24h later. Immediately after testing, the hippocampus was collected to quantify Aβ and phosphorylated tau accumulation. Results showed that, although poly I:C-induced Aβ was significantly elevated at all time points examined, poly I:C only disrupted cognition after 14 and 21 days of administration. Moreover, elevations in phosphorylated tau were not seen until the 14-day time point. Interestingly, phosphorylated tau expression then declined at the 21-day time point. Finally, we demonstrated that Aβ levels are a stronger predictor of cognitive dysfunction, explaining 37% of the variance, whereas phosphorylated tau levels only accounted for 0.2%. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that inflammation-induced elevation in Aβ disrupts cognition, independently of phosphorylated tau, and suggest that long-term administration of poly I:C may provide a model to investigate the contribution of long-term inflammation toward the development of Alzheimer's-like pathology.

Emerging roles of sumoylation in the regulation of actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and septins

Sumoylation is a powerful regulatory system that controls many of the critical processes in the cell, including DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, nuclear transport, and DNA replication. Recently, new functions for SUMO have begun to emerge. SUMO is covalently attached to components of each of the four major cytoskeletal networks, including microtubule-associated proteins, septins, and intermediate filaments, in addition to nuclear actin and actin-regulatory proteins. However, knowledge of the mechanisms by which this signal transduction system controls the cytoskeleton is still in its infancy. One story that is beginning to unfold is that SUMO may regulate the microtubule motor protein dynein by modification of its adaptor Lis1. In other instances, cytoskeletal elements can both bind to SUMO non-covalently and also be conjugated by it. The molecular mechanisms for many of these new functions are not yet clear, but are under active investigation. One emerging model links the function of MAP sumoylation to protein degradation through SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases, also known as STUbL enzymes. Other possible functions for cytoskeletal sumoylation are also discussed.

Comparison of the neuropsychological mechanisms of 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist against electroconvulsive therapy-induced learning and memory impairment in depressed rats

The present study aimed to examine the neurophysiological mechanisms of the 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist against learning and memory impairment, induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A total of 48 adult depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were randomly divided into six experimental groups: i) saline; ii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801; iii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801 and a course of ECT; iv) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol; v) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and a course of ECT; and vi) saline and a course of ECT. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed using a Morris water maze 1 day after a course of ECT. The hippocampus was removed 1 day after assessment using the Morris water maze assessment. The content of glutamate in the hippocampus was detected using high‑performance liquid chromatography. The expression levels of p‑AT8Ser202 and GSK‑3β1H8 in the hippocampus were determined using immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the 2,6‑diisopropylphenol NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‑801 and ECT induced learning and memory impairment in the depressed rats. The glutamate content was significantly upregulated by ECT, reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol, and was unaffected by the NMDA receptor antagonist in the hippocampus of the depressed rats. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus was upregulated by ECT, but was reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and the MK‑801 NMDA receptor antagonist. It was also demonstrated that 2,6‑diisopropylphenol prevented learning and memory impairment and reduced the hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, which was induced by eECT. GSK‑3β was found to be the key protein involved in this signaling pathway. The ECT reduced the learning and memory impairment, caused by hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, in the depressed rats by upregulating the glutamate content.

The emerging role of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase chaperones in tau oligomerization, amyloid processing, and Alzheimer's disease

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases), a unique family of molecular chaperones, regulate protein folding at proline residues. These residues are abundant within intrinsically disordered proteins, like the microtubule-associated protein tau. Tau has been shown to become hyperphosphorylated and accumulate as one of the two main pathological hallmarks in Alzheimer's disease, the other being amyloid beta (Ab). PPIases, including Pin1, FK506-binding protein (FKBP) 52, FKBP51, and FKBP12, have been shown to interact with and regulate tau biology. This interaction is particularly important given the numerous proline-directed phosphorylation sites found on tau and the role phosphorylation has been found to play in pathogenesis. This regulation then affects downstream aggregation and oligomerization of tau. However, many PPIases have yet to be explored for their effects on tau biology, despite the high likelihood of interaction based on proline content. Moreover, Pin1, FKBP12, FKBP52, cyclophilin (Cyp) A, CypB, and CypD have been shown to also regulate Ab production or the toxicity associated with Ab pathology. Therefore, PPIases directly and indirectly regulate pathogenic protein multimerization in Alzheimer's disease and represent a family rich in targets for modulating the accumulation and toxicity.

Cellular factors modulating the mechanism of tau protein aggregation

Pathological accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau, in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent neurodegenerative condition worldwide. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, a number of neurodegenerative diseases, called tauopathies, are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated tau in a variety of brain regions. While tau normally plays an important role in stabilizing the microtubule network of the cytoskeleton, its dissociation from microtubules and eventual aggregation into pathological deposits is an area of intense focus for therapeutic development. Here we discuss the known cellular factors that affect tau aggregation, from post-translational modifications to molecular chaperones.

Computational perspective and evaluation of plausible catalytic mechanisms of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases

BACKGROUND

Peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerization of the protein backbone is involved in the regulation of many biological processes. Cis-trans isomerization is notoriously slow and is catalyzed by a family of cis-trans peptidyl prolyl isomerases (PPIases) that have been implicated in many diseases. A general consensus on how these enzymes speed up prolyl isomerization has not been reached after decades of both experimental and computational studies.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Computational studies carried out to understand the catalytic mechanism of the prototypical FK506 binding protein 12, Cyclophilin A and peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) are reviewed. A summary and an evaluation of the implications of the proposed mechanisms from computational studies are presented.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of computational studies and evaluation of the proposed mechanisms provide a general consensus and a better understanding of PPIase catalysis. The speedup of the rate of peptidyl-prolyl isomerization by PPIases can be best described by a catalytic mechanism in which the substrate in transition state configuration is stabilized. The enzymes preferentially bind the transition state configuration of the substrate relative to the cis conformation, which in most cases is bound better than the trans conformation of the substrate. Stabilization of the transition state configuration of the substrate leads to a lower free energy barrier and a faster rate of isomerization when compared to the uncatalyzed isomerization reaction.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Fully understanding the catalytic mechanism of PPIases has broad implications for drug design, elucidation of the molecular basis of many diseases, protein engineering, and enzyme catalysis in general. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Proline-directed Foldases: Cell Signaling Catalysts and Drug Targets.

Role of PrP(C) Expression in Tau Protein Levels and Phosphorylation in Alzheimer's Disease Evolution

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques mainly consisting of hydrophobic β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed principally of hyperphosphorylated tau. Aβ oligomers have been described as the earliest effectors to negatively affect synaptic structure and plasticity in the affected brains, and cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) has been proposed as receptor for these oligomers. The most widely accepted theory holds that the toxic effects of Aβ are upstream of change in tau, a neuronal microtubule-associated protein that promotes the polymerization and stabilization of microtubules. However, tau is considered decisive for the progression of neurodegeneration, and, indeed, tau pathology correlates well with clinical symptoms such as dementia. Different pathways can lead to abnormal phosphorylation, and, as a consequence, tau aggregates into paired helical filaments (PHF) and later on into NFTs. Reported data suggest a regulatory tendency of PrP(C) expression in the development of AD, and a putative relationship between PrP(C) and tau processing is emerging. However, the role of tau/PrP(C) interaction in AD is poorly understood. In this study, we show increased susceptibility to Aβ-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) in neuronal primary cultures from PrP(C) knockout mice, compared to wild-type, which correlates with increased tau expression. Moreover, we found increased PrP(C) expression that paralleled with tau at early ages in an AD murine model and in early Braak stages of AD in affected individuals. Taken together, these results suggest a protective role for PrP(C) in AD by downregulating tau expression, and they point to this protein as being crucial in the molecular events that lead to neurodegeneration in AD.

Cysteine-mediated dynamic hydrogen-bonding network in the active site of Pin1

Enzymes catalyze a plethora of chemical reactions that are tightly regulated and intricately coupled in biology. Catalysis of phosphorylation-dependent cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds, which act as conformational switches in regulating many post-phosphorylation processes, is considered to be one of the most critical. Pin1 is a cis-trans isomerase of peptidyl-prolyl(ω-) bonds of phosphorylated-Ser/Thr-Pro motifs and has been implicated in many diseases. Structural and experimental studies are still unable to resolve the mechanistic role and protonation states of two adjacent histidines (His59 and His157) and a cysteine (Cys113) in the active site of Pin1. Here, we show that the protonation state of Cys113 mediates a dynamic hydrogen-bonding network in the active site of Pin1, involving the two adjacent histidines and several other residues that are highly conserved and necessary for catalysis. We have used detailed free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, complementing previous experiments, to resolve the ambiguities in the orientations of the histidines and protonation states of these key active site residues, details that are critical for fully understanding the mechanism of Pin1 and necessary for developing potent inhibitors. Importantly, Cys113 is shown to alternate between the unprotonated and neutral states, unprotonated in free Pin1 and neutral in substrate-bound Pin1. Our results are consistent with experiments and provide an explanation for the chemical reactivity of free Pin1 that is suggested to be necessary for the regulation of the enzyme.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a laboratory to study dementia in the elderly

The steady and dramatic increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the lack of effective treatments have stimulated the search for strategies to prevent or delay its onset and/or progression. Since the diagnosis of dementia requires a number of established features that are present when the disease is fully developed, but not always in the early stages, the need for a biological marker has proven to be urgent, in terms of both diagnosis and monitoring of AD. AD has been shown to affect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that are a critical component of the immune system which provide defence against infection. Although studies are continuously supplying additional data that emphasize the central role of inflammation in AD, PBMCs have not been sufficiently investigated in this context. Delineating biochemical alterations in AD blood constituents may prove valuable in identifying accessible footprints that reflect degenerative processes within the Central Nervous System (CNS). In this review, we address the role of biomarkers in AD with a focus on the notion that PBMCs may serve as a peripheral laboratory to find molecular signatures that could aid in differential diagnosis with other forms of dementia and in monitoring of disease progression.

Tau protein modifications and interactions: their role in function and dysfunction

Tau protein is abundant in the central nervous system and involved in microtubule assembly and stabilization. It is predominantly associated with axonal microtubules and present at lower level in dendrites where it is engaged in signaling functions. Post-translational modifications of tau and its interaction with several proteins play an important regulatory role in the physiology of tau. As a consequence of abnormal modifications and expression, tau is redistributed from neuronal processes to the soma and forms toxic oligomers or aggregated deposits. The accumulation of tau protein is increasingly recognized as the neuropathological hallmark of a number of dementia disorders known as tauopathies. Dysfunction of tau protein may contribute to collapse of cytoskeleton, thereby causing improper anterograde and retrograde movement of motor proteins and their cargos on microtubules. These disturbances in intraneuronal signaling may compromise synaptic transmission as well as trophic support mechanisms in neurons.

Pin1, a new player in the fate of HIF-1α degradation: an hypothetical mechanism inside vascular damage as Alzheimer's disease risk factor

Aetiology of neurodegenerative mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are still under elucidation. The contribution of cerebrovascular deficiencies (such as cerebral ischemia/stroke) has been strongly endorsed in recent years. Reduction of blood supply leading to hypoxic condition is known to activate cellular responses mainly controlled by hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 (HIF-1). Thus alterations of oxygen responsive HIF-1α subunit in the central nervous system may contribute to the cognitive decline, especially influencing mechanisms associated to amyloid precursor protein (APP) amyloidogenic metabolism. Although HIF-1α protein level is known to be regulated by von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) ubiquitin-proteasome system, it has been recently suggested that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk-3β) promotes a VHL-independent HIF-1α degradation. Here we provide evidences that in rat primary hippocampal cell cultures, HIF-1α degradation might be mediated by a synergic action of Gsk-3β and peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1). In post-ischemic conditions, such as those mimicked with oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), HIF-1α protein level increases remaining unexpectedly high for long time after normal condition restoration jointly with the increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and β-secretase 1 (BACE1) protein expression (70 and 140% respectively). Interestingly the Pin1 activity decreases about 40–60% and Pin1^S16 inhibitory phosphorylation significantly increases, indicating that Pin1 binding to its substrate and enzymatic activity are reduced by treatment. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that HIF-1α/Pin1 in normoxia are associated, and that in presence of specific Pin1 and Gsk-3β inhibitors their interaction is reduced in parallel to an increase of HIF-1α protein level. Thus we suggest that in post-OGD neurons the high level of HIF-1α might be due to Pin1 binding ability and activity reduction which affects HIF-1α degradation: an event that may highlight the relevance of ischemia/HIF-1α as a risk factor in AD pathogenesis.

Unraveling a phosphorylation event in a folded protein by NMR spectroscopy: phosphorylation of the Pin1 WW domain by PKA

The Pin1 protein plays a critical role in the functional regulation of the hyperphosphorylated neuronal Tau protein in Alzheimer's disease and is by itself regulated by phosphorylation. We have used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to both identify the PKA phosphorylation site in the Pin1 WW domain and investigate the functional consequences of this phosphorylation. Detection and identification of phosphorylation on serine/threonine residues in a globular protein, while mostly occurring in solvent-exposed flexible loops, does not lead to chemical shift changes as obvious as in disordered proteins and hence does not necessarily shift the resonances outside the spectrum of the folded protein. Other complications were encountered to characterize the extent of the phosphorylation, as part of the (1)H,(15)N amide resonances around the phosphorylation site are specifically broadened in the unphosphorylated state. Despite these obstacles, NMR spectroscopy was an efficient tool to confirm phosphorylation on S16 of the WW domain and to quantify the level of phosphorylation. Based on this analytical characterization, we show that WW phosphorylation on S16 abolishes its binding capacity to a phosphorylated Tau peptide. A reduced conformational heterogeneity and flexibility of the phospho-binding loop upon S16 phosphorylation could account for part of the decreased affinity for its phosphorylated partner. Additionally, a structural model of the phospho-WW obtained by molecular dynamics simulation and energy minimization suggests that the phosphate moiety of phospho-S16 could compete with the phospho-substrate.

Protein phosphatases and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function, linked to marked neuronal loss. Pathological hallmarks of the disease are the accumulation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the form of amyloid plaques and the intracellular formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Accumulating evidence supports a key role for protein phosphorylation in both the normal and pathological actions of Aβ as well as the formation of NFTs. NFTs contain hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-binding protein tau, and phosphorylation of tau by several different kinases leads to its aggregation. The protein kinases involved in the generation and/or actions of tau or Aβ are viable drug targets to prevent or alleviate AD pathology. However, it has also been recognized that the protein phosphatases that reverse the actions of these protein kinases are equally important. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of serine/threonine and tyrosine protein phosphatases in the pathology of AD.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase Pin1 in ageing, cancer and Alzheimer disease

Phosphorylation of proteins on serine or threonine residues preceding proline is a key signalling mechanism in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Pin1 (peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase) is the only enzyme known that can isomerise specific Ser/Thr-Pro peptide bonds after phosphorylation and regulate their conformational changes with high efficiency. These Pin1-catalysed conformational changes can have profound effects on phosphorylation signalling by regulating a spectrum of target activities. Interestingly, Pin1 deregulation is implicated in a number of diseases, notably ageing and age-related diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer disease. Pin1 is overexpressed in most human cancers; it activates numerous oncogenes or growth enhancers and also inactivates a large number of tumour suppressors or growth inhibitors. By contrast, ablation of Pin1 prevents cancer, but eventually leads to premature ageing and neurodegeneration. Consistent with its neuroprotective role, Pin1 has been shown to be inactivated in neurons of patients with Alzheimer disease. Therefore, Pin1-mediated phosphorylation-dependent prolyl isomerisation represents a unique signalling mechanism that has a pivotal role in the development of human diseases, and might offer an attractive new diagnostic and therapeutic target.

Mediators of tau phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

The need for disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease has become increasingly important owing to escalating disease prevalence and the associated socio-economic burden. Until recently, reducing brain amyloid accumulation has been the main therapeutic focus; however, increasing evidence suggests that targeting abnormal tau phosphorylation could be beneficial. Tau is phosphorylated by several protein kinases and this is balanced by dephosphorylation by protein phosphatases. Phosphorylation at specific sites can influence the physiological functions of tau, including its role in binding to and stabilizing the neuronal cytoskeleton. aberrant phosphorylation of tau could render it susceptible to potentially pathogenic alterations, including conformational changes, proteolytic cleavage and aggregation. While strategies that reduce tau phosphorylation in transgenic models of disease have been promising, our understanding of the mechanisms through which tau becomes abnormally phosphorylated in disease is lacking.