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Abstract
Amyloids are fibrous cross-β protein aggregates that are capable of proliferation via nucleated polymerization. Amyloid conformation likely represents an ancient protein fold and is linked to various biological or pathological manifestations. Self-perpetuating amyloid-based protein conformers provide a molecular basis for transmissible (infectious or heritable) protein isoforms, termed prions. Amyloids and prions, as well as other types of misfolded aggregated proteins are associated with a variety of devastating mammalian and human diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and transthyretinopathies. In yeast and fungi, amyloid-based prions control phenotypically detectable heritable traits. Simplicity of cultivation requirements and availability of powerful genetic approaches makes yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae an excellent model system for studying molecular and cellular mechanisms governing amyloid formation and propagation. Genetic techniques allowing for the expression of mammalian or human amyloidogenic and prionogenic proteins in yeast enable researchers to capitalize on yeast advantages for characterization of the properties of disease-related proteins. Chimeric constructs employing mammalian and human aggregation-prone proteins or domains, fused to fluorophores or to endogenous yeast proteins allow for cytological or phenotypic detection of disease-related protein aggregation in yeast cells. Yeast systems are amenable to high-throughput screening for antagonists of amyloid formation, propagation and/or toxicity. This review summarizes up to date achievements of yeast assays in application to studying mammalian and human disease-related aggregating proteins, and discusses both limitations and further perspectives of yeast-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury O Chernoff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States; Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Anastasia V Grizel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Aleksandr A Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Andrew A Zelinsky
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Tatiana A Chernova
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Cali I, Mikhail F, Qin K, Gregory C, Solanki A, Martinez MC, Zhao L, Appleby B, Gambetti P, Norstrom E, Mastrianni JA. Impaired transmissibility of atypical prions from genetic CJD G114V. Neurol Genet 2018; 4:e253. [PMID: 30109268 PMCID: PMC6089695 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective To describe the clinicopathologic, molecular, and transmissible characteristics of genetic prion disease in a young man carrying the PRNP-G114V variant. Methods We performed genetic, histologic, and molecular studies, combined with in vivo transmission studies and in vitro replication studies, to characterize this genetic prion disease. Results A 24-year-old American man of Polish descent developed progressive dementia, aphasia, and ataxia, leading to his death 5 years later. Histologic features included widespread spongiform degeneration, gliosis, and infrequent PrP plaque-like deposits within the cerebellum and putamen, best classifying this as a Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) subtype. Molecular typing of proteinase K-resistant PrP (resPrPSc) revealed a mixture of type 1 (∼21 kDa) and type 2 (∼19 kDa) conformations with only 2, rather than the usual 3, PrPSc glycoforms. Brain homogenates from the proband failed to transmit prion disease to transgenic Tg(HuPrP) mice that overexpress human PrP and are typically susceptible to sporadic and genetic forms of CJD. When subjected to protein misfolding cyclic amplification, the PrPSc type 2 (∼19 kDa) was selectively amplified. Conclusions The features of genetic CJDG114V suggest that residue 114 within the highly conserved palindromic region (113-AGAAAAGA-120) plays an important role in prion conformation and propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio Cali
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Fadi Mikhail
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Kefeng Qin
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Crystal Gregory
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ani Solanki
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Manuel Camacho Martinez
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Brian Appleby
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Pierluigi Gambetti
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - Eric Norstrom
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
| | - James A Mastrianni
- Department of Pathology (I.C., M.C.M., P.G.), Case Western University, Cleveland, OH; Department of Neurology (K.Q., F.M., C.G., A.S., L.Z., J.A.M.), University of Chicago; and Department of Biological Sciences (E.N.), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
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Kanata E, Arsenakis M, Sklaviadis T. Caprine PrP variants harboring Asp-146, His-154 and Gln-211 alleles display reduced convertibility upon interaction with pathogenic murine prion protein in scrapie infected cells. Prion 2017; 10:391-408. [PMID: 27537339 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1199312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie, the prion disease of sheep and goats, is a devastating malady of small ruminants. Due to its infectious nature, epidemic outbreaks may occur in flocks/herds consisting of highly susceptible animals. Field studies identified scrapie-protective caprine PrP variants, harboring specific single amino acid changes (Met-142, Arg-143, Asp-146, Ser-146, His-154, Gln-211 and Lys-222). Their effects are under further evaluation, and aim to determine the most protective allele. We assessed some of these variants (Asp-146, His-154, Gln-211 and Lys-222), after their exogenous expression as murine-caprine chimeras in a scrapie- infected murine cell line. We report that exogenously expressed PrPs undergo conformational conversion upon interaction with the endogenous pathological murine prion protein (PrPSC), which results in the detection of goat-specific and partially PK-resistant moieties. These moieties display a PK-resistance pattern distinct from the one detected in natural goat scrapie cases. Within this cellular model, distinct conformational conversion potentials were assigned to the tested variants. Molecules carrying the Asp-146, His-154 and Gln-211 alleles showed significantly lower conversion levels compared to wild type, confirming their protective effects against scrapie. Although we utilized a heterologous conversion system, this is to our knowledge, the first study of caprine PrP variants in a cellular context of scrapie, that confirms the protective effects of some of the studied alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kanata
- a Department of Genetics , Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.,b School of Pharmacy , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Minas Arsenakis
- a Department of Genetics , Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- b School of Pharmacy , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
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Abstract
Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are progressive, fatal neurodegenerative diseases with no effective treatment. The pathology of these diseases involves the conversion of a protease sensitive form of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a protease resistant infectious form (PrPres). The efficiency of this conversion is predicated upon a number of factors, most notably a strong homology between cellular PrPC and PrPres. In our recently published study, we infected mice with the RML-Chandler strain of scrapie and treated them with heterologous hamster prion proteins. This treatment was seen to reduce clinical signs of prion disease, to delay the onset of clinical symptoms and to prolong survival. In this current article we discuss potential mechanisms of action of treatment with heterologous prion proteins. We also discuss potential extensions of these studies using a heterologous rabbit PrP-based treatment strategy or a peptide based strategy, and improvement of treatment delivery including a lentiviral-based system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis M Seelig
- a Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department , University of Minnesota , Saint Paul , MN , USA
| | - Patricia A Goodman
- b Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department , University of Minnesota , Saint Paul , MN , USA
| | - Pamela J Skinner
- b Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department , University of Minnesota , Saint Paul , MN , USA
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Rubel AA, Ryzhova TA, Antonets KS, Chernoff YO, Galkin A. Identification of PrP sequences essential for the interaction between the PrP polymers and Aβ peptide in a yeast-based assay. Prion 2013; 7:469-76. [PMID: 24152606 DOI: 10.4161/pri.26867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease is associated with the accumulation of oligomeric amyloid β peptide (Aβ), accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. Polymeric form of prion protein (PrP), PrP(Sc), is implicated in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Recently, it was shown that the monomeric cellular form of PrP (PrP(C)), located on the neuron surface, binds Aβ oligomers (and possibly other β-rich conformers) via the PrP(23-27) and PrP(90-110) segments, acting as Aβ receptor. On the other hand, PrP(Sc) polymers efficiently bind to Aβ monomers and accelerate their oligomerization. To identify specific PrP sequences that are essential for the interaction between PrP polymers and Aβ peptide, we have co-expressed Aβ and PrP (or its shortened derivatives), fused to different fluorophores, in the yeast cell. Our data show that the 90-110 and 28-89 regions of PrP control the binding of proteinase-resistant PrP polymers to the Aβ peptide, whereas the 23-27 segment of PrP is dispensable for this interaction. This indicates that the set of PrP fragments involved in the interaction with Aβ depends on PrP conformational state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr A Rubel
- St. Petersburg Branch of Vavilov Institute of Genetics (Russian Academy of Science); Universitetskaya nab. 7/9; St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Genetics and Biotechnology; St. Petersburg State University; Universitetskaya nab. 7/9; St. Petersburg, Russia
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Abstract
The prion diseases are a family of rare neurodegenerative disorders that result from the accumulation of a misfolded isoform of the prion protein (PrP), a normal constituent of the neuronal membrane. Five subtypes constitute the known human prion diseases; kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS), fatal insomnia (FI), and variant CJD (vCJD). These subtypes are distinguished, in part, by their clinical phenotype, but primarily by their associated brain histopathology. Evidence suggests these phenotypes are defined by differences in the pathogenic conformation of misfolded PrP. Although the vast majority of cases are sporadic, 10% to 15% result from an autosomal dominant mutation of the PrP gene (PRNP). General phenotype-genotype correlations can be made for the major subtypes of CJD, GSS, and FI. This paper will review some of the general background related to prion biology and detail the clinical and pathologic features of the major prion diseases, with a particular focus on the genetic aspects that result in prion disease or modification of its risk or phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalilah Brown
- Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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