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Mazzetti S, Calogero AM, Pezzoli G, Cappelletti G. Cross-talk between α-synuclein and the microtubule cytoskeleton in neurodegeneration. Exp Neurol 2023; 359:114251. [PMID: 36243059 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Looking at the puzzle that depicts the molecular determinants in neurodegeneration, many pieces are lacking and multiple interconnections among key proteins and intracellular pathways still remain unclear. Here we focus on the concerted action of α-synuclein and the microtubule cytoskeleton, whose interplay, indeed, is emerging but remains largely unexplored in both its physiology and pathology. α-Synuclein is a key protein involved in neurodegeneration, underlying those diseases termed synucleinopathies. Its propensity to interact with other proteins and structures renders the identification of neuronal death trigger extremely difficult. Conversely, the unbalance of microtubule cytoskeleton in terms of structure, dynamics and function is emerging as a point of convergence in neurodegeneration. Interestingly, α-synuclein and microtubules have been shown to interact and mediate cross-talks with other intracellular structures. This is supported by an increasing amount of evidence ranging from their direct interaction to the engagement of in-common partners and culminating with their respective impact on microtubule-dependent neuronal functions. Last, but not least, it is becoming even more clear that α-synuclein and tubulin work synergically towards pathological aggregation, ultimately resulting in neurodegeneration. In this respect, we supply a novel perspective towards the understanding of α-synuclein biology and, most importantly, of the link between α-synuclein with microtubule cytoskeleton and its impact for neurodegeneration and future development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Mazzetti S, Barichella M, Giampietro F, Giana A, Calogero AM, Amadeo A, Palazzi N, Comincini A, Giaccone G, Bramerio M, Caronni S, Cereda V, Cereda E, Cappelletti G, Rolando C, Pezzoli G. Astrocytes expressing Vitamin D-activating enzyme identify Parkinson's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:703-713. [PMID: 35166042 PMCID: PMC8981451 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Astrocytes are involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) where they could contribute to α‐Synuclein pathology but also to neuroprotection via α‐Synuclein clearance. The molecular signature underlying their dual role is still elusive. Given that vitamin D has been recently suggested to be protective in neurodegeneration, the aim of our study was to investigate astrocyte and neuron vitamin D pathway alterations and their correlation with α‐Synuclein aggregates (ie, oligomers and fibrils) in human brain obtained from PD patients. Methods The expression of vitamin D pathway components CYP27B1, CYP24A1, and VDR was examined in brains obtained from PD patients (Braak stage 6; n = 9) and control subjects (n = 4). We also exploited proximity ligation assay to identified toxic α‐Synuclein oligomers in human astrocytes. Results We found that vitamin D‐activating enzyme CYP27B1 identified a subpopulation of astrocytes exclusively in PD patients. CYP27B1 positive astrocytes could display neuroprotective features as they sequester α‐Synuclein oligomers and are associated with Lewy body negative neurons. Conclusion The presence of CYP27B1 astrocytes distinguishes PD patients and suggests their contribution to protect neurons and to ameliorate neuropathological traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Barichella
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO," Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angelica Giana
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO," Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Palazzi
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Giaccone
- Unit of Neuropathology and Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Bramerio
- S. C. Divisione Oncologia Falck and S. C. Divisione Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Caronni
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO," Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Cereda
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO," Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cereda
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rolando
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO," Milan, Milan, Italy
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Mazzetti S, Basellini MJ, Ferri V, Cassani E, Cereda E, Paolini M, Calogero AM, Bolliri C, De Leonardis M, Sacilotto G, Cilia R, Cappelletti G, Pezzoli G. α-Synuclein oligomers in skin biopsy of idiopathic and monozygotic twin patients with Parkinson's disease. Brain 2020; 143:920-931. [PMID: 32025699 PMCID: PMC7089656 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of cellular processes, including vesicle clustering in the presynaptic compartment, are impaired in Parkinson’s disease and have been closely associated with α-synuclein oligomerization. Emerging evidence proves the existence of α-synuclein-related pathology in the peripheral nervous system, even though the presence of α-synuclein oligomers in situ in living patients remains poorly investigated. In this case-control study, we show previously undetected α-synuclein oligomers within synaptic terminals of autonomic fibres in skin biopsies by means of the proximity ligation assay and propose a procedure for their quantification (proximity ligation assay score). Our study revealed a significant increase in α-synuclein oligomers in consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to consecutive healthy controls (P < 0.001). Proximity ligation assay score (threshold value > 96 using receiver operating characteristic) was found to have good sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (82%, 86% and 89%, respectively). Furthermore, to disclose the role of putative genetic predisposition in Parkinson’s disease aetiology, we evaluated the differential accumulation of oligomers in a unique cohort of 19 monozygotic twins discordant for Parkinson’s disease. The significant difference between patients and healthy subjects was confirmed in twins. Intriguingly, although no difference in median values was detected between consecutive healthy controls and healthy twins, the prevalence of healthy subjects positive for proximity ligation assay score was significantly greater in twins than in the consecutive cohort (47% versus 14%, P = 0.019). This suggests that genetic predisposition is important, but not sufficient, in the aetiology of the disease and strengthens the contribution of environmental factors. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that α-synuclein oligomers accumulate within synaptic terminals of autonomic fibres of the skin in Parkinson’s disease for the first time. This finding endorses the hypothesis that α-synuclein oligomers could be used as a reliable diagnostic biomarker for Parkinson’s disease. It also offers novel insights into the physiological and pathological roles of α-synuclein in the peripheral nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | - Milo J Basellini
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Ferri
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST 'Gaetano Pini-CTO', Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Cassani
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST 'Gaetano Pini-CTO', Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cereda
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matilde Paolini
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra M Calogero
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Bolliri
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST 'Gaetano Pini-CTO', Milan, Italy
| | - Mara De Leonardis
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cilia
- Parkinson Institute, ASST 'Gaetano Pini-CTO', Milan, Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST 'Gaetano Pini-CTO', Milan, Italy
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Calogero AM, Mazzetti S, Pezzoli G, Cappelletti G. Neuronal microtubules and proteins linked to Parkinson's disease: a relevant interaction? Biol Chem 2020; 400:1099-1112. [PMID: 31256059 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal microtubules are key determinants of cell morphology, differentiation, migration and polarity, and contribute to intracellular trafficking along axons and dendrites. Microtubules are strictly regulated and alterations in their dynamics can lead to catastrophic effects in the neuron. Indeed, the importance of the microtubule cytoskeleton in many human diseases is emerging. Remarkably, a growing body of evidence indicates that microtubule defects could be linked to Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Only a few of the causes of the progressive neuronal loss underlying this disorder have been identified. They include gene mutations and toxin exposure, but the trigger leading to neurodegeneration is still unknown. In this scenario, the evidence showing that mutated proteins in Parkinson's disease are involved in the regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton is intriguing. Here, we focus on α-Synuclein, Parkin and Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), the three main proteins linked to the familial forms of the disease. The aim is to dissect their interaction with tubulin and microtubules in both physiological and pathological conditions, in which these proteins are overexpressed, mutated or absent. We highlight the relevance of such an interaction and suggest that these proteins could trigger neurodegeneration via defective regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra M Calogero
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.,Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, via Zuretti 35, I-20135 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, via Zuretti 35, I-20135 Milan, Italy.,Parkinson Institute, ASST "G.Pini-CTO", via Bignami 1, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti, I-20133 Milan, Italy
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5
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Casagrande FV, Amadeo A, Cartelli D, Calogero AM, Modena D, Costa I, Cantele F, Onelli E, Moscatelli A, Ascagni M, Pezzoli G, Cappelletti G. The imbalance between dynamic and stable microtubules underlies neurodegeneration induced by 2,5-hexanedione. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165581. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Di Paolo ML, Christodoulou MS, Calogero AM, Pinzi L, Rastelli G, Passarella D, Cappelletti G, Dalla Via L. Cover Feature: 2‐Phenyloxazole‐4‐carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B (ChemMedChem 18/2019). ChemMedChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Di Paolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina MolecolareUniversità degli Studi di Padova Via G. Colombo 3 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Michael S. Christodoulou
- DISFARM, Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica “A. Marchesini”Università degli Studi di Milano via Venezian 21 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Alessandra M. Calogero
- Dipartimento di BioscienzeUniversità degli Studi di Milano via Celoria 26 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Luca Pinzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia via Campi 103 41125 Modena Italy
| | - Giulio Rastelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia via Campi 103 41125 Modena Italy
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Dipartimento di ChimicaUniversità degli Studi di Milano via C. Golgi 19 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Dipartimento di BioscienzeUniversità degli Studi di Milano via Celoria 26 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Lisa Dalla Via
- Dipartimento di Scienze del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di Padova Via F. Marzolo 5 35131 Padova Italy
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7
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Di Paolo ML, Christodoulou MS, Calogero AM, Pinzi L, Rastelli G, Passarella D, Cappelletti G, Dalla Via L. 2-Phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1641-1652. [PMID: 31322823 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of 2-phenyloxazoles bearing an amide group at position 4 were designed and synthesized for evaluation as potential inhibitors of human recombinant monoamine oxidases (hrMAOs). Results of kinetics experiments demonstrated that all compounds behave as competitive MAO inhibitors, with good selectivity toward the MAO-B isoform. The most potent and selective derivatives are characterized by inhibition constant (Ki ) values in the sub-micromolar range and a good selectivity index (Ki MAO-A /Ki MAO-B >50). Some derivatives were also found to be able to inhibit MAO activity in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, taken as a model of neuronal cells. In particular, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide (compound 4 a) may be a promising new scaffold, exerting the highest selectivity and inhibitory effect toward MAOs in NGF-differentiated PC12 cell lysates, without compromising cell viability. Molecular docking analysis allowed a rationalization of the experimentally observed binding affinity and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Di Paolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Michael S Christodoulou
- DISFARM, Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica "A. Marchesini", Università degli Studi di Milano, via Venezian 21, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra M Calogero
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Pinzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulio Rastelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via C. Golgi 19, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Lisa Dalla Via
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
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Cao S, Kumimoto RW, Gnesutta N, Calogero AM, Mantovani R, Holt BF. A distal CCAAT/NUCLEAR FACTOR Y complex promotes chromatin looping at the FLOWERING LOCUS T promoter and regulates the timing of flowering in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2014; 26:1009-17. [PMID: 24610724 PMCID: PMC4001365 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.113.120352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
For many plant species, reproductive success relies on the proper timing of flowering, and photoperiod provides a key environmental input. Photoperiod-dependent flowering depends on timely expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT); however, the coordination of various cis-regulatory elements in the FT promoter is not well understood. Here, we provide evidence that long-distance chromatin loops bring distal enhancer elements into close association with the proximal promoter elements bound by CONSTANS (CO). Additionally, we show that NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NF-Y) binds a CCAAT box in the distal enhancer element and that CCAAT disruption dramatically reduces FT promoter activity. Thus, we propose the recruitment model of photoperiod-dependent flowering where NF-Y complexes, bound at the FT distal enhancer element, help recruit CO to proximal cis-regulatory elements and initiate the transition to reproductive growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanghe Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Roderick W. Kumimoto
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ben F. Holt
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
- Address correspondence to
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