Targeted sequencing of Parkinson's disease loci genes highlights SYT11, FGF20 and other associations

The Parkinson's disease risk gene cathepsin B promotes fibrillar alpha-synuclein clearance, lysosomal function and glucocerebrosidase activity in dopaminergic neurons

Background

Variants in the CTSB gene encoding the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (catB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, neither the specific CTSB variants driving these associations nor the functional pathways that link catB to PD pathogenesis have been characterized. CatB activity contributes to lysosomal protein degradation and regulates signaling processes involved in autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Previous in vitro studies have found that catB can cleave monomeric and fibrillar alpha-synuclein, a key protein involved in the pathogenesis of PD that accumulates in the brains of PD patients. However, truncated synuclein isoforms generated by catB cleavage have an increased propensity to aggregate. Thus, catB activity could potentially contribute to lysosomal degradation and clearance of pathogenic alpha synuclein from the cell, but also has the potential of enhancing synuclein pathology by generating aggregation-prone truncations. Therefore, the mechanisms linking catB to PD pathophysiology remain to be clarified.

Methods

Here, we conducted genetic analyses of the association between common and rare CTSB variants and risk of PD. We then used genetic and pharmacological approaches to manipulate catB expression and function in cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and assessed lysosomal activity and the handling of aggregated synuclein fibrils.

Results

We first identified specific non-coding variants in CTSB that drive the association with PD and are linked to changes in brain CTSB expression levels. Using iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons we then find that catB inhibition impairs autophagy, reduces glucocerebrosidase (encoded by GBA1) activity, and leads to an accumulation of lysosomal content. Moreover, in cell lines, reduction of CTSB gene expression impairs the degradation of pre-formed alpha-synuclein fibrils, whereas CTSB gene activation enhances fibril clearance. Similarly, in midbrain organoids and dopaminergic neurons treated with alpha-synuclein fibrils, catB inhibition or knockout potentiates the formation of inclusions which stain positively for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein.

Conclusions

The results of our genetic and functional studies indicate that the reduction of catB function negatively impacts lysosomal pathways associated with PD pathogenesis, while conversely catB activation could promote the clearance of pathogenic alpha-synuclein.

GPNMB promotes peripheral nerve regeneration by activating the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways via binding Na+/K+-ATPase α1 in Schwann cells

Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) is ubiquitously expressed and has protective effects on the central nervous system. In particular, it is also expressed in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and upregulated after peripheral nerve injury. However, the role and underlying mechanism of GPNMB in the PNS, especially in peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR), are still unknown and need to be further investigated. In this study, recombinant human GPNMB (rhGPNMB) was injected into a sciatic nerve injury model. It was found that rhGPNMB facilitated the regeneration and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve in vivo. Moreover, it was also confirmed that GPNMB activated the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways via binding with Na+/K + -ATPase α1 (NKA α1) and promoted the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells (SCs) and their expression and secretion of neurotrophic factors and neural adhesion molecules in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GPNMB facilitates PNR through activation of the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways in SCs by binding with NKA α1 and may be a novel strategy for PNR.

The Parkinson's disease risk gene cathepsin B promotes fibrillar alpha-synuclein clearance, lysosomal function and glucocerebrosidase activity in dopaminergic neurons

Variants in the CTSB gene encoding the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (catB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, neither the specific CTSB variants driving these associations nor the functional pathways that link catB to PD pathogenesis have been characterized. CatB activity contributes to lysosomal protein degradation and regulates signaling processes involved in autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Previous in vitro studies have found that catB can cleave monomeric and fibrillar alpha-synuclein, a key protein involved in the pathogenesis of PD that accumulates in the brains of PD patients. However, truncated synuclein isoforms generated by catB cleavage have an increased propensity to aggregate. Thus, catB activity could potentially contribute to lysosomal degradation and clearance of pathogenic alpha synuclein from the cell, but also has the potential of enhancing synuclein pathology by generating aggregation-prone truncations. Therefore, the mechanisms linking catB to PD pathophysiology remain to be clarified. Here, we conducted genetic analyses of the association between common and rare CTSB variants and risk of PD. We then used genetic and pharmacological approaches to manipulate catB expression and function in cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and assessed lysosomal activity and the handling of aggregated synuclein fibrils. We find that catB inhibition impairs autophagy, reduces glucocerebrosidase (encoded by GBA1 ) activity, and leads to an accumulation of lysosomal content. In cell lines, reduction of CTSB gene expression impairs the degradation of pre-formed alpha-synuclein fibrils, whereas CTSB gene activation enhances fibril clearance. In midbrain organoids and dopaminergic neurons treated with alpha-synuclein fibrils, catB inhibition potentiates the formation of inclusions which stain positively for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. These results indicate that the reduction of catB function negatively impacts lysosomal pathways associated with PD pathogenesis, while conversely catB activation could promote the clearance of pathogenic alpha-synuclein.

Large-scale rare variant burden testing in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease has a large heritable component and genome-wide association studies have identified over 90 variants with disease-associated common variants, providing deeper insights into the disease biology. However, there have not been large-scale rare variant analyses for Parkinson's disease. To address this gap, we investigated the rare genetic component of Parkinson's disease at minor allele frequencies <1%, using whole genome and whole exome sequencing data from 7184 Parkinson's disease cases, 6701 proxy cases and 51 650 healthy controls from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Parkinson's disease (AMP-PD) initiative, the National Institutes of Health, the UK Biobank and Genentech. We performed burden tests meta-analyses on small indels and single nucleotide protein-altering variants, prioritized based on their predicted functional impact. Our work identified several genes reaching exome-wide significance. Two of these genes, GBA1 and LRRK2, have variants that have been previously implicated as risk factors for Parkinson's disease, with some variants in LRRK2 resulting in monogenic forms of the disease. We identify potential novel risk associations for variants in B3GNT3, AUNIP, ADH5, TUBA1B, OR1G1, CAPN10 and TREML1 but were unable to replicate the observed associations across independent datasets. Of these, B3GNT3 and TREML1 could provide new evidence for the role of neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease. To date, this is the largest analysis of rare genetic variants in Parkinson's disease.

LRRK2 exonic variants are associated with lysosomal hydrolase activities and lysosphingolipid alterations in Parkinson's disease

Last data demonstrated that exonic variants of LRRK2 (p.G2019S, p.M1646T) may affect the catalytic activity of lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) probably through the phosphorylation of Rab10 protein. We aimed to evaluate an association of LRRK2 exonic variants previously associated with alteration of phosphorylation levels for Rab10Thr73 with PD risk in Russian population and analyze an impact of p.G2019S mutation and selected LRRK2 variants on lysosomal hydrolase activities. LRRK2 variants were determined by full sequencing of LRRK2 in 508 PD patients and 470 controls from Russian population. Activity of lysosomal enzymes (glucocerebrosidase (GCase), alpha-galactosidase A (GLA), acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) and concentrations of their corresponded substrates (hexosylsphingosine (HexSph), globotriaosylsphingosine (LysoGb3), lysosphingomyelin (LysoSM), respectively) were estimated in 211 PD patients and 179 controls by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) in dry blood spots. p.M1646T and p.N2081D were associated with PD (OR = 2.33, CI 95%: 1.1215 to 4.8253, p = 0.023; OR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.0727 to 3.3313, p = 0.028, respectively) in Russian population. An increased LysoGb3 concentration was found in p.G2019S and p.N2081D LRRK2 carriers among PD patients compared to both PD patients and controls (p.G2019S: p = 0.00086, p = 0.0004, respectively; p.N2081D: p = 0.012, p = 0.0076, respectively). A decreased ASMase activity in p.G2019S LRRK2 carriers among PD patients (p = 0.014) was demonstrated as well. Our study supported possible involvement of LRRK2 dysfunction in an alteration of sphingolipid metabolism in PD.

Candidate genes for domestication and resistance to cold climate according to whole genome sequencing data of Russian cattle and sheep breeds

It is known that different species of animals, when living in the same environmental conditions, can form similar phenotypes. The study of the convergent evolution of several species under the influence of the same environmental factor makes it possible to identify common mechanisms of genetic adaptation. Local cattle and sheep breeds have been formed over thousands of years under the influence of domestication, as well as selection aimed at adaptation to the local environment and meeting human needs. Previously, we identified a number of candidate genes in genome regions potentially selected during domestication and adaptation to the climatic conditions of Russia, in local breeds of cattle and sheep using whole genome genotyping data. However, these data are of low resolution and do not reveal most nucleotide substitutions. The aim of the work was to create, using the whole genome sequencing data, a list of genes associated with domestication, selection and adaptation in Russian cattle and sheep breeds, as well as to identify candidate genes and metabolic pathways for selection for cold adaptation. We used our original data on the search for signatures of selection in the genomes of Russian cattle (Yakut, Kholmogory, Buryat, Wagyu) and sheep (Baikal, Tuva) breeds. We used the HapFLK, DCMS, FST and PBS methods to identify DNA regions with signatures of selection. The number of candidate genes in potentially selective regions was 946 in cattle and 151 in sheep. We showed that the studied Russian cattle and sheep breeds have at least 10 genes in common, apparently involved in the processes of adaptation/selection, including adaptation to a cold climate, including the ASTN2, PM20D1, TMEM176A, and GLIS1 genes. Based on the intersection with the list of selected genes in at least two Arctic/Antarctic mammal species, 20 and 8 genes, have been identified in cattle and sheep, respectively, that are potentially involved in cold adaptation. Among them, the most promising for further research are the ASPH, NCKAP5L, SERPINF1, and SND1 genes. Gene ontology analysis indicated the existence of possible common biochemical pathways for adaptation to cold in domestic and wild mammals associated with cytoskeleton disassembly and apoptosis.

Genetic polymorphisms of bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (BST-1/CD157): implications for immune/inflammatory dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (BST-1/CD157) is an immune/inflammatory regulator that functions as both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-metabolizing ectoenzyme and cell-surface signaling receptor. BST-1/CD157 is expressed not only in peripheral tissues, but in the central nervous system (CNS). Although its pathophysiological significance in the CNS is still unclear, clinical genetic studies over a decade have begun revealing relationships between BST-1/CD157 and neuropsychiatric diseases including Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum disorders, sleep disorders, depressive disorders and restless leg syndrome. This review summarizes the accumulating evidence for the involvement of BST-1/CD157 in these disorders.

Transmembrane Protein 175, a Lysosomal Ion Channel Related to Parkinson's Disease

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles with an acidic lumen and are traditionally characterized as a recycling center in cells. Lysosomal ion channels are integral membrane proteins that form pores in lysosomal membranes and allow the influx and efflux of essential ions. Transmembrane protein 175 (TMEM175) is a unique lysosomal potassium channel that shares little sequence similarity with other potassium channels. It is found in bacteria, archaea, and animals. The prokaryotic TMEM175 consists of one six-transmembrane domain that adopts a tetrameric architecture, while the mammalian TMEM175 is comprised of two six-transmembrane domains that function as a dimer in lysosomal membranes. Previous studies have demonstrated that the lysosomal K⁺ conductance mediated by TMEM175 is critical for setting membrane potential, maintaining pH stability, and regulating lysosome-autophagosome fusion. AKT and B-cell lymphoma 2 regulate TMEM175's channel activity through direct binding. Two recent studies reported that the human TMEM175 is also a proton-selective channel under normal lysosomal pH (4.5-5.5) as the K⁺ permeation dramatically decreased at low pH while the H⁺ current through TMEM175 greatly increased. Genome-wide association studies and functional studies in mouse models have established that TMEM175 is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, which sparks more research interests in this lysosomal channel.

The endo-lysosomal system in Parkinson's disease: expanding the horizon

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, and its prevalence is increasing with age. A wealth of genetic evidence indicates that the endo-lysosomal system is a major pathway driving PD pathogenesis with a growing number of genes encoding endo-lysosomal proteins identified as risk factors for PD, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention. However, detailed knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking these genes to the disease are available for only a handful of them (e.g. LRRK2, GBA1, VPS35). Taking on the challenge of studying poorly characterized genes and proteins can be daunting, due to the limited availability of tools and knowledge from previous literature. This review aims at providing a valuable source of molecular and cellular insights into the biology of lesser-studied PD-linked endo-lysosomal genes, to help and encourage researchers in filling the knowledge gap around these less popular genetic players. Specific endo-lysosomal pathways discussed range from endocytosis, sorting, and vesicular trafficking to the regulation of membrane lipids of these membrane-bound organelles and the specific enzymatic activities they contain. We also provide perspectives on future challenges that the community needs to tackle and propose approaches to move forward in our understanding of these poorly studied endo-lysosomal genes. This will help harness their potential in designing innovative and efficient treatments to ultimately re-establish neuronal homeostasis in PD but also other diseases involving endo-lysosomal dysfunction.

Palmitoylation of the Parkinson's disease-associated protein synaptotagmin-11 links its turnover to α-synuclein homeostasis

Synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11) is a vesicle-trafficking protein that is linked genetically to Parkinson's disease (PD). Likewise, the protein α-synuclein regulates vesicle trafficking, and its abnormal aggregation in neurons is the defining cytopathology of PD. Because of their functional similarities in the same disease context, we investigated whether the two proteins were connected. We found that Syt11 was palmitoylated in mouse and human brain tissue and in cultured cortical neurons and that this modification to Syt11 disrupted α-synuclein homeostasis in neurons. Palmitoylation of two cysteines adjacent to the transmembrane domain, Cys39 and Cys40, localized Syt11 to digitonin-insoluble portions of intracellular membranes and protected it from degradation by the endolysosomal system. In neurons, palmitoylation of Syt11 increased its abundance and enhanced the binding of α-synuclein to intracellular membranes. As a result, the abundance of the physiologic tetrameric form of α-synuclein was decreased, and that of its aggregation-prone monomeric form was increased. These effects were replicated by overexpression of wild-type Syt11 but not a palmitoylation-deficient mutant. These findings suggest that palmitoylation-mediated increases in Syt11 amounts may promote pathological α-synuclein aggregation in PD.

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (CD157) regulated by sphingosine kinase 2 mediates kidney fibrosis

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that may lead to end-stage renal disease. Interstitial fibrosis develops as the disease progresses. Therapies that focus on fibrosis to delay or reverse progressive renal failure are limited. We and others showed that sphingosine kinase 2-deficient mice (Sphk2 ^-/-) develop less fibrosis in mouse models of kidney fibrosis. Sphingosine kinase2 (SphK2), one of two sphingosine kinases that produce sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), is primarily located in the nucleus. S1P produced by SphK2 inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC) and changes histone acetylation status, which can lead to altered target gene expression. We hypothesized that Sphk2 epigenetically regulates downstream genes to induce fibrosis, and we performed a comprehensive analysis using the combination of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq. Bst1/CD157 was identified as a gene that is regulated by SphK2 through a change in histone acetylation level, and Bst1 ^-/- mice were found to develop less renal fibrosis after unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury, a mouse model of kidney fibrosis. Although Bst1 is a cell-surface molecule that has a wide variety of functions through its varied enzymatic activities and downstream intracellular signaling pathways, no studies on the role of Bst1 in kidney diseases have been reported previously. In the current study, we demonstrated that Bst1 is a gene that is regulated by SphK2 through epigenetic change and is critical in kidney fibrosis.

Genome-wide Association and Meta-analysis of Age at Onset in Parkinson Disease: Evidence From the COURAGE-PD Consortium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Considerable heterogeneity exists in the literature concerning genetic determinants of the age at onset (AAO) of Parkinson disease (PD), which could be attributed to a lack of well-powered replication cohorts. The previous largest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified SNCA and TMEM175 loci on chromosome (Chr) 4 with a significant influence on the AAO of PD; these have not been independently replicated. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of GWAS of PD AAO and validate previously observed findings in worldwide populations.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed on PD AAO GWAS of 30 populations of predominantly European ancestry from the Comprehensive Unbiased Risk Factor Assessment for Genetics and Environment in Parkinson's Disease (COURAGE-PD) Consortium. This was followed by combining our study with the largest publicly available European ancestry dataset compiled by the International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC).

RESULTS

The COURAGE-PD Consortium included a cohort of 8,535 patients with PD (91.9%: Europeans and 9.1%: East Asians). The average AAO in the COURAGE-PD dataset was 58.9 years (SD = 11.6), with an underrepresentation of females (40.2%). The heritability estimate for AAO in COURAGE-PD was 0.083 (SE = 0.057). None of the loci reached genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10-8). Nevertheless, the COURAGE-PD dataset confirmed the role of the previously published TMEM175 variant as a genetic determinant of the AAO of PD with Bonferroni-corrected nominal levels of significance (p < 0.025): (rs34311866: β(SE)COURAGE = 0.477(0.203), p COURAGE = 0.0185). The subsequent meta-analysis of COURAGE-PD and IPDGC datasets (Ntotal = 25,950) led to the identification of 2 genome-wide significant association signals on Chr 4, including the previously reported SNCA locus (rs983361: β(SE)COURAGE+IPDGC = 0.720(0.122), p COURAGE+IPDGC = 3.13 × 10-9) and a novel BST1 locus (rs4698412: β(SE)COURAGE+IPDGC = -0.526(0.096), p COURAGE+IPDGC = 4.41 × 10-8).

DISCUSSION

Our study further refines the genetic architecture of Chr 4 underlying the AAO of the PD phenotype through the identification of BST1 as a novel AAO PD locus. These findings open a new direction for the development of treatments to delay the onset of PD.

Crosstalk of organelles in Parkinson's disease - MiT family transcription factors as central players in signaling pathways connecting mitochondria and lysosomes

Living organisms constantly need to adapt to their surrounding environment and have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to deal with stress. Mitochondria and lysosomes are central organelles in the response to energy and nutrient availability within a cell and act through interconnected mechanisms. However, when such processes become overwhelmed, it can lead to pathologies. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder (NDD) characterized by proteinaceous intracellular inclusions and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, which causes motor and non-motor symptoms. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the disease etiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction has long been recognized as a hallmark of PD pathogenesis, and several aspects of mitochondrial biology are impaired in PD patients and models. In addition, defects of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway have extensively been observed in cell and animal models as well as PD patients' brains, where constitutive autophagy is indispensable for adaptation to stress and energy deficiency. Genetic and molecular studies have shown that the functions of mitochondria and lysosomal compartments are tightly linked and influence each other. Connections between these organelles are constituted among others by mitophagy, organellar dynamics and cellular signaling cascades, such as calcium (Ca²⁺) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling and the activation of transcription factors. Members of the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor family (MiT), including MITF, TFE3 and TFEB, play a central role in regulating cellular homeostasis in response to metabolic pressure and are considered master regulators of lysosomal biogenesis. As such, they are part of the interconnection between mitochondria and lysosome functions and therefore represent attractive targets for therapeutic approaches against NDD, including PD. The activation of MiT transcription factors through genetic and pharmacological approaches have shown encouraging results at ameliorating PD-related phenotypes in in vitro and in vivo models. In this review, we summarize the relationship between mitochondrial and autophagy-lysosomal functions in the context of PD etiology and focus on the role of the MiT pathway and its potential as pharmacological target against PD.

Genetic Analysis of Six Transmembrane Protein Family Genes in Parkinson’s Disease in a Large Chinese Cohort

Objectives

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with the manifestation of motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. Previous studies have indicated the role of several transmembrane (TMEM) protein family genes in PD pathogenesis.

Materials and Methods

In order to better investigate the genetic role of PD-related TMEM protein family genes in PD, including TMEM230, TMEM59, TMEM108, TMEM163, TMEM175, and TMEM229B, 1,917 sporadic early onset PD (sEOPD) or familial PD (FPD) patients and 1,652 healthy controls were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES) while 1,962 sporadic late-onset PD (sLOPD) and 1,279 healthy controls were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Rare and common variants for each gene were included in the analysis.

Results

One hundred rare damaging or loss of function variants of six genes were found at the threshold of MAF < 0.1%. Three rare Dmis variants of TMEM230 were specifically identified in PD. Rare missense variants of TMEM59 were statistically significantly associated with PD in the WES cohort, indicating the role of TMEM59 in FPD and sEOPD. Rare missense variants of TMEM108 were suggestively associated with PD in the WGS cohort, indicating the potential role of TMEM108 in sLOPD. The rare variant of the other three genes and common variants of six genes were not significantly associated with PD.

Conclusion

We performed a large case-control study to systematically investigate the role of several PD-related TMEM protein family genes in PD. We identified three PD-specific variants in TMEM230, the significant association of TMEM59 with FPD, and sEOPD and the suggestive association of TMEM108 with sLOPD.

New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1-4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases. This article is categorized under: Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.

Parkinson's disease-risk protein TMEM175 is a proton-activated proton channel in lysosomes

Lysosomes require an acidic lumen between pH 4.5 and 5.0 for effective digestion of macromolecules. This pH optimum is maintained by proton influx produced by the V-ATPase and efflux through an unidentified "H⁺ leak" pathway. Here we show that TMEM175, a genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), mediates the lysosomal H⁺ leak by acting as a proton-activated, proton-selective channel on the lysosomal membrane (LyPAP). Acidification beyond the normal range potently activated LyPAP to terminate further acidification of lysosomes. An endogenous polyunsaturated fatty acid and synthetic agonists also activated TMEM175 to trigger lysosomal proton release. TMEM175 deficiency caused lysosomal over-acidification, impaired proteolytic activity, and facilitated α-synuclein aggregation in vivo. Mutational and pH normalization analyses indicated that the channel's H⁺ conductance is essential for normal lysosome function. Thus, modulation of LyPAP by cellular cues may dynamically tune the pH optima of endosomes and lysosomes to regulate lysosomal degradation and PD pathology.

Establishing the potency of N-acyl amino acids versus conventional fatty acids as thermogenic uncouplers in cells and mitochondria from different tissues

The possibility that N-acyl amino acids could function as brown or brite/beige adipose tissue-derived lipokines that could induce UCP1-independent thermogenesis by uncoupling mitochondrial respiration in several peripheral tissues is of significant physiological interest. To quantify the potency of N-acyl amino acids versus conventional fatty acids as thermogenic inducers, we have examined the affinity and efficacy of two pairs of such compounds: oleate versus N-oleoyl-leucine and arachidonate versus N-arachidonoyl-glycine in cells and mitochondria from different tissues. We found that in cultures of the muscle-derived L6 cell line, as well as in primary cultures of murine white, brite/beige and brown adipocytes, the N-acyl amino acids were proficient uncouplers but that they did not systematically display higher affinity or potency than the conventional fatty acids, and they were not as efficient uncouplers as classical protonophores (FCCP). Higher concentrations of the N-acyl amino acids (as well as of conventional fatty acids) were associated with signs of deleterious effects on the cells. In liver mitochondria, we found that the N-acyl amino acids uncoupled similarly to conventional fatty acids, thus apparently via activation of the adenine nucleotide transporter-2. In brown adipose tissue mitochondria, the N-acyl amino acids were able to activate UCP1, again similarly to conventional fatty acids. We thus conclude that the formation of the acyl-amino acid derivatives does not confer upon the corresponding fatty acids an enhanced ability to induce thermogenesis in peripheral tissues, and it is therefore unlikely that the N-acyl amino acids are of specific physiological relevance as UCP1-independent thermogenic compounds.

The Association Between Lysosomal Storage Disorder Genes and Parkinson's Disease: A Large Cohort Study in Chinese Mainland Population

Background: Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of studies indicating an essential role of the lysosomal dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the genetic, biochemical, and cellular pathway levels. In this study, we investigated the association between rare variants in lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) genes and Chinese mainland PD.

Methods: We explored the association between rare variants of 69 LSD genes and PD in 3,879 patients and 2,931 controls from Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Multicenter Database and Collaborative Network in China (PD-MDCNC) using next-generation sequencing, which were analyzed by using the optimized sequence kernel association test.

Results: We identified the significant burden of rare putative LSD gene variants in Chinese mainland patients with PD. This association was robust in familial or sporadic early-onset patients after excluding the GBA variants but not in sporadic late-onset patients. The burden analysis of variant sets in genes of LSD subgroups revealed a suggestive significant association between variant sets in genes of sphingolipidosis deficiency disorders and familial or sporadic early-onset patients. In contrast, variant sets in genes of sphingolipidoses, mucopolysaccharidoses, and post-translational modification defect disorders were suggestively associated with sporadic late-onset patients. Then, SMPD1 and other four novel genes (i.e., GUSB, CLN6, PPT1, and SCARB2) were suggestively associated with sporadic early-onset or familial patients, whereas GALNS and NAGA were suggestively associated with late-onset patients.

Conclusion: Our findings supported the association between LSD genes and PD and revealed several novel risk genes in Chinese mainland patients with PD, which confirmed the importance of lysosomal mechanisms in PD pathogenesis. Moreover, we identified the genetic heterogeneity in early-onset and late-onset of patients with PD, which may provide valuable suggestions for the treatment.

SNCA 3' UTR Genetic Variants in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

The SNCA (Synuclein Alpha) gene represents a major risk gene for Parkinson's disease (PD) and SNCA polymorphisms have been associated with the common sporadic form of PD. Numerous Genome-Wide Association Studies showed strong signals located in the SNCA 3' UTR (untranslated region) region indicating that variants in 3' UTRs of PD-associated genes could contribute to neurodegeneration and may regulate the risk for PD. Genetic variants in 3' UTR can affect miRNA activity and consequently change the translation process. The aim of this study was to access the differences in 3' UTR variants of SNCA genes in a cohort of PD patients and control subjects from Croatia. The cohort consisted of 52 PD patients and 23 healthy control subjects. Differences between 3' UTR allele and genotype frequencies were accessed through next generation sequencing approach from whole blood samples. In our study, we identified four previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one insertion in the 3' UTR region of SNCA gene, namely rs1045722, rs3857053, rs577490090, rs356165, and rs777296100, and five variants not reported in the literature, namely rs35270750, rs529553259, rs377356638, rs571454522, and rs750347645. Our results indicate a significantly higher occurrence of the rs571454522 variant in the PD population. To the best of our knowledge, this variant has not been reported until now in the literature. We analyzed our results in the context of previous research, creating a brief overview of the importance of 3' UTR variants of the SNCA gene. Further studies will be needed to gain a more profound insight regarding their role in PD development, which will help to assess the role and impact of post-transcriptional regulation on disease pathology.

Quantitative assessment of the effect of FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 variant on the risk of sporadic Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

While many studies have investigated the associations between fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) rs1721100 (C/G) and rs12720208 (C/T) polymorphisms and susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD), their results are controversial. Our present meta-analysis estimated the overall association between FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 polymorphisms and the risk of sporadic PD.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Medicine electronic databases, which was updated in April 2021. Based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, the analysis included a total of 10 papers involving 14 studies with 5262 cases of PD and 6075 controls. Review Manager 5.4 software was used to assess the available data from each study. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between the FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 polymorphisms and sporadic PD risk.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the FGF20 rs1721100 G allele frequency and genotype distribution did not differ between PD patients and controls. Similarly, the FGF20 rs12720208 T allele frequency and genotype distribution did not differ significantly between the two groups. A subgroup analysis of Asian and Caucasian populations also showed the same results.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this meta-analysis indicated that neither the rs1721100 C/G nor the rs12720208 C/T variants were associated with sporadic PD susceptibility.

Glioma cell-derived FGF20 suppresses macrophage function by activating β-catenin

Macrophages, which are the main regulators of the tumor-associated microenvironment, play a crucial role in the progression of various tumors. The anti-inflammatory role of β-catenin in macrophages has been extensively studied in recent years. However, the association between macrophages and β-catenin with regards to the development of glioma has not yet been investigated, at least to the best of our knowledge. The present study found that fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20), as a paracrine cytokine, was secreted by glioma cells and acted on macrophages. FGF20 treated macrophages exhibited a decreased pro-inflammatory phenotype upon LPS and IFN-γ stimulation, characterized by the decreased the level of M1 macrophage markers and the reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistic analysis revealed that FGF20 interacted with FGF receptor 1 isoform of macrophages, and subsequently increased the stability of β-catenin via phosphorylating GSK3β, which suppressed macrophage polarization to the M1-phenotype. Finally, it was found that FGF20 of glioma cells expression was upregulated by the glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment, and decreased FGF20 expression of glioma cells markedly blocked the effects of GCs on the polarization of macrophages. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that FGF20, secreted from glioma cells, participates the GCs regulated macrophage function and exerts anti-inflammatory effects during the treatment of glioma by GCs. Moreover, a molecular link was identified between glioma cells and macrophages, demonstrating that FGF20 modulates the GCs-induced dysfunction of macrophages during glioma development.

Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Costa Rican Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Background: Most research in genomics of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been done in subjects of European ancestry, leading to sampling bias and leaving Latin American populations underrepresented. We sought to clinically characterize PD patients of Costa Rican origin and to sequence familial PD and atypical parkinsonism-associated genes in cases and controls.

Methods: We enrolled 118 PD patients with 97 unrelated controls. Collected information included demographics, exposure to risk and protective factors, and motor and cognitive assessments. We sequenced coding and untranslated regions in familial PD and atypical parkinsonism-associated genes including GBA, SNCA, VPS35, LRRK2, GCH1, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, VPS13C, and ATP13A2.

Results: Mean age of PD probands was 62.12 ± 13.51 years; 57.6% were male. The frequency of risk and protective factors averaged ~45%. Physical activity significantly correlated with better motor performance despite years of disease. Increased years of education were significantly associated with better cognitive function, whereas hallucinations, falls, mood disorders, and coffee consumption correlated with worse cognitive performance. We did not identify an association between tested genes and PD or any damaging homozygous or compound heterozygous variants. Rare variants in LRRK2 were nominally associated with PD; six were located between amino acids p.1620 and 1623 in the C-terminal-of-ROC (COR) domain of Lrrk2. Non-synonymous GBA variants (p.T369M, p.N370S, and p.L444P) were identified in three healthy individuals. One PD patient carried a pathogenic GCH1 variant, p.K224R.

Discussion: This is the first study that describes sociodemographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, and genetics of Costa Rican patients with PD, adding information to genomics research in a Latino population.

The Genetics of Parkinson's Disease and Implications for Clinical Practice

The genetic landscape of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by rare high penetrance pathogenic variants causing familial disease, genetic risk factor variants driving PD risk in a significant minority in PD cases and high frequency, low penetrance variants, which contribute a small increase of the risk of developing sporadic PD. This knowledge has the potential to have a major impact in the clinical care of people with PD. We summarise these genetic influences and discuss the implications for therapeutics and clinical trial design.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis via miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis in Parkinson's disease cell model

Backgrounds

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. This research aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism underlying long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in PD.

Methods

SK-N-SH and SK-N-BE cells were treated with MPP⁺ to establish the MPP⁺-stimulated cell model of PD, and MALAT1 expression was determined. Then, the effects of MALAT1 depletion on cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined in the MPP⁺-stimulated cell model of PD. Besides, the correlations between microRNA-135b-5p (miR-135b-5p) and MALAT1 or glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) in MPP⁺-stimulated cell model of PD were explored.

Results

MALAT1 was increasingly expressed and downregulation of MALAT1 promoted cell proliferation while inhibited apoptosis in MPP⁺-stimulated cells. Besides, miR-135b-5p was a target of MALAT1 and directly targeted to GPNMB. Further investigation indicated that suppression of MALAT1 regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis by miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that MALAT1/miR-135b-5p/GPNMB axis regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis in MPP⁺-stimulated cell model of PD, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40659-021-00332-8.

No Evidence for a Causal Relationship Between Cancers and Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological data suggest that cancer patients have a reduced risk of subsequent Parkinson's disease (PD) development, but the prevalence of PD in melanoma patients is often reported to be increased. Causal relationships between cancers and PD have not been fully explored.

OBJECTIVE

To study causal relationship between different cancers and PD.

METHODS

We used GWAS summary statistics of 15 different types of cancers and two-sample Mendelian randomization to study the causal relationship with PD.

RESULTS

There was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the studied cancers and PD. We also performed reverse analyses between PD and cancers with available full summary statistics (melanoma, breast, prostate, endometrial and keratinocyte cancers) and did not find evidence of causal relationship.

CONCLUSION

We found no evidence to support a causal relationship between cancers and PD and the previously reported associations could be a result of genetic pleiotropy, shared biology or biases.