1
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Pokrishevsky E, DuVal MG, McAlary L, Louadi S, Pozzi S, Roman A, Plotkin SS, Dijkstra A, Julien JP, Allison WT, Cashman NR. Tryptophan residues in TDP-43 and SOD1 modulate the cross-seeding and toxicity of SOD1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107207. [PMID: 38522514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107207] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of motor neurons. Neuronal superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) inclusion bodies are characteristic of familial ALS with SOD1 mutations, while a hallmark of sporadic ALS is inclusions containing aggregated WT TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). We show here that co-expression of mutant or WT TDP-43 with SOD1 leads to misfolding of endogenous SOD1 and aggregation of SOD1 reporter protein SOD1G85R-GFP in human cell cultures and promotes synergistic axonopathy in zebrafish. Intriguingly, this pathological interaction is modulated by natively solvent-exposed tryptophans in SOD1 (tryptophan-32) and TDP-43 RNA-recognition motif RRM1 (tryptophan-172), in concert with natively sequestered TDP-43 N-terminal domain tryptophan-68. TDP-43 RRM1 intrabodies reduce WT SOD1 misfolding in human cell cultures, via blocking tryptophan-172. Tryptophan-68 becomes antibody-accessible in aggregated TDP-43 in sporadic ALS motor neurons and cell culture. 5-fluorouridine inhibits TDP-43-induced G85R-GFP SOD1 aggregation in human cell cultures and ameliorates axonopathy in zebrafish, via its interaction with SOD1 tryptophan-32. Collectively, our results establish a novel and potentially druggable tryptophan-mediated mechanism whereby two principal ALS disease effector proteins might directly interact in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Pokrishevsky
- Department of Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michéle G DuVal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Prions & Protein Folding Disease, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- Department of Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Louadi
- Department of Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Silvia Pozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrei Roman
- Department of Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anke Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - W Ted Allison
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Prions & Protein Folding Disease, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Department of Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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2
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Scherer NM, Maurel C, Graus MS, McAlary L, Richter G, Radford RAW, Hogan A, Don EK, Lee A, Yerbury J, Francois M, Chung RS, Morsch M. RNA-binding properties orchestrate TDP-43 homeostasis through condensate formation in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae112. [PMID: 38381071 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Insoluble cytoplasmic aggregate formation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 is a major hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. TDP-43 localizes predominantly in the nucleus, arranging itself into dynamic condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Mutations and post-translational modifications can alter the condensation properties of TDP-43, contributing to the transition of liquid-like biomolecular condensates into solid-like aggregates. However, to date it has been a challenge to study the dynamics of this process in vivo. We demonstrate through live imaging that human TDP-43 undergoes nuclear condensation in spinal motor neurons in a living animal. RNA-binding deficiencies as well as post-translational modifications can lead to aberrant condensation and altered TDP-43 compartmentalization. Single-molecule tracking revealed an altered mobility profile for RNA-binding deficient TDP-43. Overall, these results provide a critically needed in vivo characterization of TDP-43 condensation, demonstrate phase separation as an important regulatory mechanism of TDP-43 accessibility, and identify a molecular mechanism of how functional TDP-43 can be regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Scherer
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Cindy Maurel
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Matthew S Graus
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardio-Vascular Development: gene regulation and editing, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Grant Richter
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Rowan A W Radford
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Alison Hogan
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Emily K Don
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Albert Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Justin Yerbury
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Mathias Francois
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardio-Vascular Development: gene regulation and editing, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Roger S Chung
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Marco Morsch
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, MND Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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3
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Hossain MA, Sarin R, Donnelly DP, Miller BC, Weiss A, McAlary L, Antonyuk SV, Salisbury JP, Amin J, Conway JB, Watson SS, Winters JN, Xu Y, Alam N, Brahme RR, Shahbazian H, Sivasankar D, Padmakumar S, Sattarova A, Ponmudiyan AC, Gawde T, Verrill DE, Yang W, Kannapadi S, Plant LD, Auclair JR, Makowski L, Petsko GA, Ringe D, Agar NYR, Greenblatt DJ, Ondrechen MJ, Chen Y, Yerbury JJ, Manetsch R, Hasnain SS, Brown RH, Agar JN. Evaluating protein cross-linking as a therapeutic strategy to stabilize SOD1 variants in a mouse model of familial ALS. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002462. [PMID: 38289969 PMCID: PMC10826971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause a subset of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) cases. A shared effect of these mutations is that SOD1, which is normally a stable dimer, dissociates into toxic monomers that seed toxic aggregates. Considerable research effort has been devoted to developing compounds that stabilize the dimer of fALS SOD1 variants, but unfortunately, this has not yet resulted in a treatment. We hypothesized that cyclic thiosulfinate cross-linkers, which selectively target a rare, 2 cysteine-containing motif, can stabilize fALS-causing SOD1 variants in vivo. We created a library of chemically diverse cyclic thiosulfinates and determined structure-cross-linking-activity relationships. A pre-lead compound, "S-XL6," was selected based upon its cross-linking rate and drug-like properties. Co-crystallographic structure clearly establishes the binding of S-XL6 at Cys 111 bridging the monomers and stabilizing the SOD1 dimer. Biophysical studies reveal that the degree of stabilization afforded by S-XL6 (up to 24°C) is unprecedented for fALS, and to our knowledge, for any protein target of any kinetic stabilizer. Gene silencing and protein degrading therapeutic approaches require careful dose titration to balance the benefit of diminished fALS SOD1 expression with the toxic loss-of-enzymatic function. We show that S-XL6 does not share this liability because it rescues the activity of fALS SOD1 variants. No pharmacological agent has been proven to bind to SOD1 in vivo. Here, using a fALS mouse model, we demonstrate oral bioavailability; rapid engagement of SOD1G93A by S-XL6 that increases SOD1G93A's in vivo half-life; and that S-XL6 crosses the blood-brain barrier. S-XL6 demonstrated a degree of selectivity by avoiding off-target binding to plasma proteins. Taken together, our results indicate that cyclic thiosulfinate-mediated SOD1 stabilization should receive further attention as a potential therapeutic approach for fALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Amin Hossain
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Richa Sarin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Biogen Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel P. Donnelly
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brandon C. Miller
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Luke McAlary
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Svetlana V. Antonyuk
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Biochemistry & Systems Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph P. Salisbury
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jakal Amin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeremy B. Conway
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Samantha S. Watson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jenifer N. Winters
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Novera Alam
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rutali R. Brahme
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Haneyeh Shahbazian
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Durgalakshmi Sivasankar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Swathi Padmakumar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aziza Sattarova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aparna C. Ponmudiyan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tanvi Gawde
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David E. Verrill
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Wensheng Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sunanda Kannapadi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Leigh D. Plant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jared R. Auclair
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Petsko
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Rosenstiel Center for Basic Medical Research, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dagmar Ringe
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Rosenstiel Center for Basic Medical Research, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nathalie Y. R. Agar
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David J. Greenblatt
- School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mary Jo Ondrechen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yunqiu Chen
- Biogen Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - S. Samar Hasnain
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Biochemistry & Systems Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey N. Agar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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4
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Farrawell NE, Bax M, McAlary L, McKenna J, Maksour S, Do-Ha D, Rayner SL, Blair IP, Chung RS, Yerbury JJ, Ooi L, Saunders DN. ALS-linked CCNF variant disrupts motor neuron ubiquitin homeostasis. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2386-2398. [PMID: 37220877 PMCID: PMC10652331 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that share pathological features, including the aberrant accumulation of ubiquitinated protein inclusions within motor neurons. Previously, we have shown that the sequestration of ubiquitin (Ub) into inclusions disrupts Ub homeostasis in cells expressing ALS-associated variants superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), fused in sarcoma (FUS) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Here, we investigated whether an ALS/FTD-linked pathogenic variant in the CCNF gene, encoding the E3 Ub ligase Cyclin F (CCNF), also perturbs Ub homeostasis. The presence of a pathogenic CCNF variant was shown to cause ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) dysfunction in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons harboring the CCNF S621G mutation. The expression of the CCNFS621G variant was associated with an increased abundance of ubiquitinated proteins and significant changes in the ubiquitination of key UPS components. To further investigate the mechanisms responsible for this UPS dysfunction, we overexpressed CCNF in NSC-34 cells and found that the overexpression of both wild-type (WT) and the pathogenic variant of CCNF (CCNFS621G) altered free Ub levels. Furthermore, double mutants designed to decrease the ability of CCNF to form an active E3 Ub ligase complex significantly improved UPS function in cells expressing both CCNFWT and the CCNFS621G variant and were associated with increased levels of free monomeric Ub. Collectively, these results suggest that alterations to the ligase activity of the CCNF complex and the subsequent disruption to Ub homeostasis play an important role in the pathogenesis of CCNF-associated ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Farrawell
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Monique Bax
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Jessie McKenna
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Simon Maksour
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Dzung Do-Ha
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Rayner
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger S Chung
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Darren N Saunders
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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5
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Genenger B, McAlary L, Perry JR, Ashford B, Ranson M. Protocol for the generation and automated confocal imaging of whole multi-cellular tumor spheroids. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102331. [PMID: 37300829 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102331] [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: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-cellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) have found widespread use in pre-clinical research. However, their complex three-dimensional structure makes immunofluorescent staining and imaging challenging. Here, we present a protocol for whole spheroid staining and automated imaging using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. We describe steps for cell culture, seeding of spheroids and transfer of MCTS, and adhesion to Ibidi chamber slides. We then detail fixation, immunofluorescent staining based on optimized reagent concentrations and incubation times, and confocal imaging facilitated by glycerol-based optical clearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Genenger
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Luke McAlary
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jay R Perry
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce Ashford
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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6
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McAlary L, Shephard VK, Sher M, Rice LJ, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR, Plotkin SS. Assessment of protein inclusions in cultured cells using automated image analysis. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101748. [PMID: 36201320 PMCID: PMC9535320 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101748] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous inclusions are associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cell models are often used to determine genetic and chemical modifiers of their formation. This protocol involves the usage of automated microscopy and machine learning-based image analysis to accurately quantify the levels of protein inclusion formation in cultured cells from fluorescence microscopy images. This protocol is highly scalable and can be applied to a few images or large datasets. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to McAlary et al. (2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia,Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Genome Science and Technology Program, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada,Corresponding author
| | - Victoria K. Shephard
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Mine Sher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lauren J. Rice
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Neil R. Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Steven S. Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada,Genome Science and Technology Program, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada,Corresponding author
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7
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Brown ML, McAlary L, Lum JS, Farrawell NE, Yerbury JJ. Cells Overexpressing ALS-Associated SOD1 Variants Are Differentially Susceptible to CuATSM-Associated Toxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2371-2379. [PMID: 35900338 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00253] [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] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
CuATSM has repeatedly demonstrated to be therapeutically effective in SOD1 mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leading to current clinical trials. CuATSM acts to stabilize ALS-associated mutant SOD1 protein by supplying copper. However, in vitro work has demonstrated that CuATSM is only therapeutic for wild-type-like SOD1 mutants, not metal-binding-region mutants, suggesting that CuATSM may have genotype-specific effects. Furthermore, relatively high doses of CuATSM have been shown to produce adverse events in humans and mice. Here, we investigated the genotype-specific therapeutic window of CuATSM. NSC-34 cells transiently expressing copper-binding or non-binding mutations of SOD1 were treated with a broad range of CuATSM concentrations and examined for survival via time-lapse microscopy. Determination of the no-observed-adverse-effect level and the LC50 suggest that CuATSM-associated toxicity is dependent on the amount of copper-depleted SOD1 available as well as the mutant's ability to bind copper. Our results suggest that the particular variant of SOD1 mutant is crucial in not only determining the level of efficacy achieved but also potential adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikayla L Brown
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Jeremy S Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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8
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McAlary L, Shephard VK, Wright GSA, Yerbury JJ. A copper chaperone-mimetic polytherapy for SOD1-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101612. [PMID: 35065969 PMCID: PMC8885447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101612] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons progressively and rapidly degenerate, eventually leading to death. The first protein found to contain ALS-associated mutations was copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which is conformationally stable when it contains its metal ligands and has formed its native intramolecular disulfide. Mutations in SOD1 reduce protein folding stability via disruption of metal binding and/or disulfide formation, resulting in misfolding, aggregation, and ultimately cellular toxicity. A great deal of effort has focused on preventing the misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 as a potential therapy for ALS; however, the results have been mixed. Here, we utilize a small-molecule polytherapy of diacetylbis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) (CuATSM) and ebselen to mimic the metal delivery and disulfide bond promoting activity of the cellular chaperone of SOD1, the “copper chaperone for SOD1.” Using microscopy with automated image analysis, we find that polytherapy using CuATSM and ebselen is highly effective and acts in synergy to reduce inclusion formation in a cell model of SOD1 aggregation for multiple ALS-associated mutants. Polytherapy reduces mutant SOD1-associated cell death, as measured by live-cell microscopy. Measuring dismutase activity via zymography and immunoblotting for disulfide formation showed that polytherapy promoted more effective maturation of transfected SOD1 variants beyond either compound alone. Our data suggest that a polytherapy of CuATSM and ebselen may merit more study as an effective method of treating SOD1-associated ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - V K Shephard
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - G S A Wright
- Department of Biochemistry & Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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9
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Lum JS, Brown ML, Farrawell NE, McAlary L, Ly D, Chisholm CG, Snow J, Vine KL, Karl T, Kreilaus F, McInnes LE, Nikseresht S, Donnelly PS, Crouch PJ, Yerbury JJ. CuATSM improves motor function and extends survival but is not tolerated at a high dose in SOD1 G93A mice with a C57BL/6 background. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19392. [PMID: 34588483 PMCID: PMC8481268 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98317-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthetic copper-containing compound, CuATSM, has emerged as one of the most promising drug candidates developed for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Multiple studies have reported CuATSM treatment provides therapeutic efficacy in various mouse models of ALS without any observable adverse effects. Moreover, recent results from an open label clinical study suggested that daily oral dosing with CuATSM slows disease progression in patients with both sporadic and familial ALS, providing encouraging support for CuATSM in the treatment of ALS. Here, we assessed CuATSM in high copy SOD1G93A mice on the congenic C57BL/6 background, treating at 100 mg/kg/day by gavage, starting at 70 days of age. This dose in this specific model has not been assessed previously. Unexpectedly, we report a subset of mice initially administered CuATSM exhibited signs of clinical toxicity, that necessitated euthanasia in extremis after 3-51 days of treatment. Following a 1-week washout period, the remaining mice resumed treatment at the reduced dose of 60 mg/kg/day. At this revised dose, treatment with CuATSM slowed disease progression and increased survival relative to vehicle-treated littermates. This work provides the first evidence that CuATSM produces positive disease-modifying outcomes in high copy SOD1G93A mice on a congenic C57BL/6 background. Furthermore, results from the 100 mg/kg/day phase of the study support dose escalation determination of tolerability as a prudent step when assessing treatments in previously unassessed models or genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Mikayla L Brown
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Diane Ly
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Christen G Chisholm
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Josh Snow
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Kara L Vine
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Lachlan E McInnes
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sara Nikseresht
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul S Donnelly
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter J Crouch
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
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10
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Robert J, Button EB, Martin E, McAlary L, Gidden Z, Gilmore M, Boyce GK, Caffrey TM, Agbay A, Clark A, Silverman JM, Cashman NR, Wellington CL. Cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy in bioengineered vessels is reduced by high‐density lipoprotein particles enriched in apolipoprotein E. Alzheimers Dement 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.043473] [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: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma Martin
- University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Zoe Gidden
- University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Agbay
- University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Amanda Clark
- University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
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11
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Perry J, Minaei E, Engels E, Ashford BG, McAlary L, Clark JR, Gupta R, Tehei M, Corde S, Carolan M, Ranson M. Thulium oxide nanoparticles as radioenhancers for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:215018. [PMID: 32726756 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abaa5d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) occur in 2%-5% of cases. Surgery is the standard treatment, often combined with adjuvant radiotherapy. Concurrent carboplatin treatment with post-operative radiotherapy may be prescribed, although it has not shown benefit in recent clinical trials in high-risk cSCC patients. The novel high-Z nanoparticle thulium (III) oxide has been shown to enhance radiation dose delivery to brain tumors by specific uptake of these nanoparticles into the cancerous tissue. As the dose-enhancement capacity of thulium oxide nanoparticles following radiotherapy against metastatic cSCC cells is unknown, its efficacy as a radiosensitizer was evaluated, with and without carboplatin. Novel and validated human patient-derived cell lines of metastatic cSCC were used. The sensitivity of the cells to radiation was investigated using short-term proliferation assays as well as clonogenic survival as the radiobiological endpoint. Briefly, cells were irradiated with 125 kVp orthovoltage x-rays (0-6 Gy) with and without thulium oxide nanoparticles (99.9% trace metals basis; 50 µg ml-1) or low dose carboplatin pre-sensitization. Cellular uptake of the nanoparticles was first confirmed by microscopy and found to have no impact on short-term cell survival for the cSCC cells, highlighting the biocompatibility of thulium oxide nanoparticles. Clonogenic cell survival assays confirmed radio-sensitization when exposed to thulium nanoparticles, with the cell sensitivity increasing by a factor of 1.24 (calculated at the 10% survival fraction) for the irradiated cSCC cells. The combination of carboplatin with thulium oxide nanoparticles with irradiation did not result in significant further reductions in survival compared to nanoparticles alone. This is the first study to provide in vitro data demonstrating the independent radiosensitization effect of high-Z nanoparticles against metastatic cSCC with or without carboplatin. Further preclinical investigations with radiotherapy plus high-Z nanoparticles for the management of metastatic cSCC are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Perry
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), NSW 2170, Australia
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12
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McAlary L, Chew YL, Lum JS, Geraghty NJ, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Proteins, Proteostasis, Prions, and Promises. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:581907. [PMID: 33328890 PMCID: PMC7671971 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.581907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons that innervate muscle, resulting in gradual paralysis and culminating in the inability to breathe or swallow. This neuronal degeneration occurs in a spatiotemporal manner from a point of onset in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting that there is a molecule that spreads from cell-to-cell. There is strong evidence that the onset and progression of ALS pathology is a consequence of protein misfolding and aggregation. In line with this, a hallmark pathology of ALS is protein deposition and inclusion formation within motor neurons and surrounding glia of the proteins TAR DNA-binding protein 43, superoxide dismutase-1, or fused in sarcoma. Collectively, the observed protein aggregation, in conjunction with the spatiotemporal spread of symptoms, strongly suggests a prion-like propagation of protein aggregation occurs in ALS. In this review, we discuss the role of protein aggregation in ALS concerning protein homeostasis (proteostasis) mechanisms and prion-like propagation. Furthermore, we examine the experimental models used to investigate these processes, including in vitro assays, cultured cells, invertebrate models, and murine models. Finally, we evaluate the therapeutics that may best prevent the onset or spread of pathology in ALS and discuss what lies on the horizon for treating this currently incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy Stephen Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas John Geraghty
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin John Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil R. Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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13
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Abstract
The misfolding, aggregation, and deposition of specific proteins is the key hallmark of most progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the rapid and progressive degenerations of motor neurons in the spinal cord and motor cortex, resulting in paralysis of those who suffer from it. Pathologically, there are three major aggregating proteins associated with ALS, including TAR DNA-binding protein of 43kDa (TDP-43), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and fused in sarcoma (FUS). While there are ALS-associated mutations found in each of these proteins, the most prevalent aggregation pathology is that of wild-type TDP-43 (97% of cases), with the remaining split between mutant forms of SOD1 (~2%) and FUS (~1%). Considering the progressive nature of ALS and its association with the aggregation of specific proteins, a growing notion is that the spread of pathology and symptoms can be explained by a prion-like mechanism. Prion diseases are a group of highly infectious neurodegenerative disorders caused by the misfolding, aggregation, and spread of a transmissible conformer of prion protein (PrP). Pathogenic PrP is capable of converting healthy PrP into a toxic form through template-directed misfolding. Application of this finding to other neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular ALS, has revolutionized our understanding of cause and progression of these disorders. In this chapter, we first provide a background on ALS pathology and genetic origin. We then detail and discuss the evidence supporting a prion-like propagation of protein misfolding and aggregation in ALS with a particular focus on SOD1 and TDP-43 as these are the most well-established models in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - J J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - N R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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14
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San Gil R, Cox D, McAlary L, Berg T, Walker AK, Yerbury JJ, Ooi L, Ecroyd H. Neurodegenerative disease-associated protein aggregates are poor inducers of the heat shock response in neuronal cells. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs.243709. [PMID: 32661089 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.243709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregates that result in inclusion formation are a pathological hallmark common to many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Under conditions of cellular stress, activation of the heat shock response (HSR) results in an increase in the levels of molecular chaperones and is a first line of cellular defence against inclusion formation. It remains to be established whether neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins and inclusions are themselves capable of inducing an HSR in neuronal cells. To address this, we generated a neuroblastoma cell line that expresses a fluorescent reporter protein under conditions of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1)-mediated HSR induction. We show that the HSR is not induced by exogenous treatment with aggregated forms of recombinant α-synuclein or the G93A mutant of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1G93A) nor intracellular expression of SOD1G93A or a pathogenic form of polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin (Htt72Q). These results suggest that pathogenic proteins evade detection or impair induction of the HSR in neuronal cells. A failure of protein aggregation to induce an HSR might contribute to the development of inclusion pathology in neurodegenerative diseases.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca San Gil
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Dezerae Cox
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracey Berg
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Heath Ecroyd
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia .,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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15
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Yerbury JJ, Farrawell NE, McAlary L. Proteome Homeostasis Dysfunction: A Unifying Principle in ALS Pathogenesis. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:274-284. [PMID: 32353332 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease but currently has no effective treatment. Growing evidence suggests that proteome homeostasis underlies ALS pathogenesis. Protein production, trafficking, and degradation all shape the proteome. We present a hypothesis that proposes all genetic lesions associated with ALS (including in mRNA-binding proteins) cause widespread imbalance to an already metastable proteome. The impact of such dysfunction is felt across the entire proteome and is not restricted to a small subset of proteins. Proteome imbalance may cause functional defects, such as excitability alterations, and eventually cell death. While this idea is a unifying principle for all of ALS, we propose that stratification will appear that might dictate the efficacy of therapeutics based on the proteostasis network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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16
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Robert J, Button EB, Martin EM, McAlary L, Gidden Z, Gilmour M, Boyce G, Caffrey TM, Agbay A, Clark A, Silverman JM, Cashman NR, Wellington CL. Cerebrovascular amyloid Angiopathy in bioengineered vessels is reduced by high-density lipoprotein particles enriched in Apolipoprotein E. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:23. [PMID: 32213187 PMCID: PMC7093966 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00366-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several lines of evidence suggest that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reduces Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk by decreasing vascular beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and inflammation, however, the mechanisms by which HDL improve cerebrovascular functions relevant to AD remain poorly understood. Methods Here we use a human bioengineered model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) to define several mechanisms by which HDL reduces Aβ deposition within the vasculature and attenuates endothelial inflammation as measured by monocyte binding. Results We demonstrate that HDL reduces vascular Aβ accumulation independently of its principal binding protein, scavenger receptor (SR)-BI, in contrast to the SR-BI-dependent mechanism by which HDL prevents Aβ-induced vascular inflammation. We describe multiple novel mechanisms by which HDL acts to reduce CAA, namely: i) altering Aβ binding to collagen-I, ii) forming a complex with Aβ that maintains its solubility, iii) lowering collagen-I protein levels produced by smooth-muscle cells (SMC), and iv) attenuating Aβ uptake into SMC that associates with reduced low density lipoprotein related protein 1 (LRP1) levels. Furthermore, we show that HDL particles enriched in apolipoprotein (apo)E appear to be the major drivers of these effects, providing new insights into the peripheral role of apoE in AD, in particular, the fraction of HDL that contains apoE. Conclusion The findings in this study identify new mechanisms by which circulating HDL, particularly HDL particles enriched in apoE, may provide vascular resilience to Aβ and shed new light on a potential role of peripherally-acting apoE in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Robert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada. .,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada. .,Present address: Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8000, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Emily B Button
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Emma M Martin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Zoe Gidden
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Megan Gilmour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Guilaine Boyce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tara M Caffrey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Andrew Agbay
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Amanda Clark
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Judith M Silverman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Department of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Department of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada
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17
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McAlary L, Plotkin SS, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. Corrigendum: Prion-Like Propagation of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 12:311. [PMID: 32038158 PMCID: PMC6986233 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Genome Sciences and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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18
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Crown A, McAlary L, Fagerli E, Brown H, Yerbury JJ, Galaleldeen A, Cashman NR, Borchelt DR, Ayers JI. Tryptophan residue 32 in human Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase modulates prion-like propagation and strain selection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227655. [PMID: 31999698 PMCID: PMC6991973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cause the protein to aggregate via a prion-like process in which soluble molecules are recruited to aggregates by conformational templating. These misfolded SOD1 proteins can propagate aggregation-inducing conformations across cellular membranes. Prior studies demonstrated that mutation of a Trp (W) residue at position 32 to Ser (S) suppresses the propagation of misfolded conformations between cells, whereas other studies have shown that mutation of Trp 32 to Phe (F), or Cys 111 to Ser, can act in cis to attenuate aggregation of mutant SOD1. By expressing mutant SOD1 fused with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), we compared the relative ability of these mutations to modulate the formation of inclusions by ALS-mutant SOD1 (G93A and G85R). Only mutation of Trp 32 to Ser persistently reduced the formation of the amorphous inclusions that form in these cells, consistent with the idea that a Ser at position 32 inhibits templated propagation of aggregation prone conformations. To further test this idea, we produced aggregated fibrils of recombinant SOD1-W32S in vitro and injected them into the spinal cords of newborn mice expressing G85R-SOD1: YFP. The injected mice developed an earlier onset paralysis with a frequency similar to mice injected with WT SOD1 fibrils, generating a strain of misfolded SOD1 that produced highly fibrillar inclusion pathology. These findings suggest that the effect of Trp 32 in modulating the propagation of misfolded SOD1 conformations may be dependent upon the “strain” of the conformer that is propagating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Crown
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, SantaFe HealthCare Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Luke McAlary
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eric Fagerli
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, SantaFe HealthCare Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Hilda Brown
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, SantaFe HealthCare Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ahmad Galaleldeen
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Neil R. Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David R. Borchelt
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, SantaFe HealthCare Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jacob I. Ayers
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, SantaFe HealthCare Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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McAlary L, Harrison JA, Aquilina JA, Fitzgerald SP, Kelso C, Benesch JL, Yerbury JJ. Trajectory Taken by Dimeric Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase through the Protein Unfolding and Dissociation Landscape Is Modulated by Salt Bridge Formation. Anal Chem 2019; 92:1702-1711. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Julian A. Harrison
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - J. Andrew Aquilina
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | | | - Celine Kelso
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Justin L.P. Benesch
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Department, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QZ, U.K
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
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20
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McAlary L, Plotkin SS, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. Prion-Like Propagation of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:262. [PMID: 31736708 PMCID: PMC6838634 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [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: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that prion protein can misfold into a pathological conformation that encodes structural information capable of both propagation and inducing severe neuropathology has revolutionized our understanding of neurodegenerative disease. Many neurodegenerative diseases with a protein misfolding component are now classified as “prion-like” owing to the propagation of both symptoms and protein aggregation pathology in affected individuals. The neuromuscular disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by protein inclusions formed by either TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), or fused in sarcoma (FUS), in both upper and lower motor neurons. Evidence from in vitro, cell culture, and in vivo studies has provided strong evidence to support the involvement of a prion-like mechanism in ALS. In this article, we review the evidence suggesting that prion-like propagation of protein aggregation is a primary pathomechanism in ALS, focusing on the key proteins and genes involved in disease (TDP-43, SOD1, FUS, and C9orf72). In each case, we discuss the evidence ranging from biophysical studies to in vivo examinations of prion-like spreading. We suggest that the idiopathic nature of ALS may stem from its prion-like nature and that elucidation of the specific propagating protein assemblies is paramount to developing effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Genome Sciences and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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21
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Deora V, Lee JD, Albornoz EA, McAlary L, Jagaraj CJ, Robertson AAB, Atkin JD, Cooper MA, Schroder K, Yerbury JJ, Gordon R, Woodruff TM. The microglial NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis proteins. Glia 2019; 68:407-421. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Deora
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - John D. Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland Herston Queensland Australia
| | - Eduardo A. Albornoz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Institute University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Cyril J. Jagaraj
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research Macquarie University New South Wales Australia
| | - Avril A. B. Robertson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Julie D. Atkin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research Macquarie University New South Wales Australia
| | - Matthew A. Cooper
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Kate Schroder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Institute University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Richard Gordon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland Herston Queensland Australia
| | - Trent M. Woodruff
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
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22
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Pokrishevsky E, DuVal M, McAlary L, Zhao B, Gibbs E, Louadi S, Kaplan J, Plotkin SS, Allison WT, Cashman NR. P4-163: THE PATHOLOGICAL INTERACTOME OF TDP-43 INCLUDES HUMAN WILDTYPE SOD1. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.3825] [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: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luke McAlary
- University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Beibei Zhao
- University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Ebrima Gibbs
- University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Sarah Louadi
- University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC Canada
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23
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Farrawell NE, Yerbury MR, Plotkin SS, McAlary L, Yerbury JJ. CuATSM Protects Against the In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Wild-Type-Like Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Mutants but not Mutants That Disrupt Metal Binding. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1555-1564. [PMID: 30462490 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SOD1 gene are associated with some forms of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). There are more than 150 different mutations in the SOD1 gene that have various effects on the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) enzyme structure, including the loss of metal binding and a decrease in dimer affinity. The copper-based therapeutic CuATSM has been proven to be effective at rescuing neuronal cells from SOD1 mutant toxicity and has also increased the life expectancy of mice expressing the human transgenes SOD1G93A and SOD1G37R. Furthermore, CuATSM is currently the subject of a phase I/II clinical trial in Australia as a treatment for ALS. To determine if CuATSM protects against a broad variety of SOD1 mutations, we used a well-established cell culture model of SOD1-fALS. NSC-34 cells expressing SOD1-EGFP constructs were treated with CuATSM and examined by time-lapse microscopy. Our results show a concentration-dependent protection of cells expressing mutant SOD1A4V over the experimental time period. We tested the efficacy of CuATSM on 10 SOD1-fALS mutants and found that while protection was observed in cells expressing pathogenic wild-type-like mutants, cells expressing a truncation mutant or metal binding region mutants were not. We also show that CuATSM rescue is associated with an increase in human SOD1 activity and a decrease in the level of SOD1 aggregation in vitro. In conclusion, CuATSM has shown to be a promising therapeutic for SOD1-associated ALS; however, our in vitro results suggest that the protection afforded varies depending on the SOD1 variant, including negligible protection to mutants with deficient copper binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E. Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre of Medicine and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Maddison R. Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre of Medicine and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Steven S. Plotkin
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Genome Sciences and Technology Program, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre of Medicine and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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24
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Silverman JM, Christy D, Shyu CC, Moon KM, Fernando S, Gidden Z, Cowan CM, Ban Y, Stacey RG, Grad LI, McAlary L, Mackenzie IR, Foster LJ, Cashman NR. CNS-derived extracellular vesicles from superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) G93A ALS mice originate from astrocytes and neurons and carry misfolded SOD1. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:3744-3759. [PMID: 30635404 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [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: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by myriad cells in culture and also by unicellular organisms, and their identification in mammalian fluids suggests that EV release also occurs at the organism level. However, although it is clearly important to better understand EVs' roles in organismal biology, EVs in solid tissues have received little attention. Here, we modified a protocol for EV isolation from primary neural cell culture to collect EVs from frozen whole murine and human neural tissues by serial centrifugation and purification on a sucrose gradient. Quantitative proteomics comparing brain-derived EVs from nontransgenic (NTg) and a transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mouse model, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)G93A, revealed that these EVs contain canonical exosomal markers and are enriched in synaptic and RNA-binding proteins. The compiled brain EV proteome contained numerous proteins implicated in ALS, and EVs from SOD1G93A mice were significantly depleted in myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein compared with those from NTg animals. We observed that brain- and spinal cord-derived EVs, from NTg and SOD1G93A mice, are positive for the astrocyte marker GLAST and the synaptic marker SNAP25, whereas CD11b, a microglial marker, was largely absent. EVs from brains and spinal cords of the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model, as well as from human SOD1 familial ALS patient spinal cord, contained abundant misfolded and nonnative disulfide-cross-linked aggregated SOD1. Our results indicate that CNS-derived EVs from an ALS animal model contain pathogenic disease-causing proteins and suggest that brain astrocytes and neurons, but not microglia, are the main EV source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Silverman
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Darren Christy
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Chih Cheih Shyu
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Kyung-Mee Moon
- the Centre for High-throughput Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Sarah Fernando
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Zoe Gidden
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Catherine M Cowan
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Yuxin Ban
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - R Greg Stacey
- the Centre for High-throughput Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Leslie I Grad
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada.,the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada, and
| | - Ian R Mackenzie
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Leonard J Foster
- the Centre for High-throughput Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- From the Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1B5, Canada,
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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26
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Abstract
The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and the motor neuron diseases, with AD affecting approximately 6% of people aged 65 years and older, and PD affecting approximately 1% of people aged over 60 years. Specific proteins are associated with these neurodegenerative diseases, as determined by both immunohistochemical studies on post-mortem tissue and genetic screening, where protein misfolding and aggregation are key hallmarks. Many of these proteins are shown to misfold and aggregate into soluble non-native oligomers and large insoluble protein deposits (fibrils and plaques), both of which may exert a toxic gain of function. Proteotoxicity has been examined intensively in cell culture and in in vivo models, and clinical trials of methods to attenuate proteotoxicity are relatively new. Therapies to enhance cellular protein quality control mechanisms such as upregulation of chaperones and clearance/degradation pathways, as well as immunotherapies against toxic protein conformations, are being actively pursued. In this article, we summarize the common pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disease, and review therapies in early-phase clinical trials that target the proteotoxic component of several neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
- Genome Sciences and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
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27
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Pokrishevsky E, McAlary L, Farrawell NE, Zhao B, Sher M, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. Tryptophan 32-mediated SOD1 aggregation is attenuated by pyrimidine-like compounds in living cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15590. [PMID: 30349065 PMCID: PMC6197196 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32835-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 160 mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), where the main pathological feature is deposition of SOD1 into proteinaceous cytoplasmic inclusions. We previously showed that the tryptophan residue at position 32 (W32) mediates the prion-like propagation of SOD1 misfolding in cells, and that a W32S substitution blocks this phenomenon. Here, we used in vitro protein assays to demonstrate that a W32S substitution in SOD1-fALS mutants significantly diminishes their propensity to aggregate whilst paradoxically decreasing protein stability. We also show SOD1-W32S to be resistant to seeded aggregation, despite its high abundance of unfolded protein. A cell-based aggregation assay demonstrates that W32S substitution significantly mitigates inclusion formation. Furthermore, this assay reveals that W32 in SOD1 is necessary for the formation of a competent seed for aggregation under these experimental conditions. Following the observed importance of W32 for aggregation, we established that treatment of living cells with the W32-interacting 5-Fluorouridine (5-FUrd), and its FDA approved analogue 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), substantially attenuate inclusion formation similarly to W32S substitution. Altogether, we highlight W32 as a significant contributor to SOD1 aggregation, and propose that 5-FUrd and 5-FU present promising lead drug candidates for the treatment of SOD1-associated ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Pokrishevsky
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Luke McAlary
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Beibei Zhao
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Mine Sher
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
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28
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Farrawell NE, Lambert-Smith I, Mitchell K, McKenna J, McAlary L, Ciryam P, Vine KL, Saunders DN, Yerbury JJ. SOD1 A4V aggregation alters ubiquitin homeostasis in a cell model of ALS. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.209122. [PMID: 29748379 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.209122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology is the accumulation of ubiquitylated protein inclusions within motor neurons. Recent studies suggest the sequestration of ubiquitin (Ub) into inclusions reduces the availability of free Ub, which is essential for cellular function and survival. However, the dynamics of the Ub landscape in ALS have not yet been described. Here, we show that Ub homeostasis is altered in a cell model of ALS induced by expressing mutant SOD1 (SOD1A4V). By monitoring the distribution of Ub in cells expressing SOD1A4V, we show that Ub is present at the earliest stages of SOD1A4V aggregation, and that cells containing SOD1A4V aggregates have greater ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) dysfunction. Furthermore, SOD1A4V aggregation is associated with the redistribution of Ub and depletion of the free Ub pool. Ubiquitomics analysis indicates that expression of SOD1A4V is associated with a shift of Ub to a pool of supersaturated proteins, including those associated with oxidative phosphorylation and metabolism, corresponding with altered mitochondrial morphology and function. Taken together, these results suggest that misfolded SOD1 contributes to UPS dysfunction and that Ub homeostasis is an important target for monitoring pathological changes in ALS.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522
| | - Isabella Lambert-Smith
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522
| | - Kristen Mitchell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522
| | - Jessie McKenna
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia 2052
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5
| | - Prajwal Ciryam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3500, USA.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032-3784, USA
| | - Kara L Vine
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522
| | - Darren N Saunders
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia 2052
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522 .,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2522
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Zeineddine R, Whiten DR, Farrawell NE, McAlary L, Hanspal MA, Kumita JR, Wilson MR, Yerbury JJ. Flow cytometric measurement of the cellular propagation of TDP-43 aggregation. Prion 2017; 11:195-204. [PMID: 28486039 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2017.1314426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neuromuscular degenerative disease characterized by a focal onset of motor neuron loss, followed by contiguous outward spreading of pathology including TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) aggregates. Previous work suggests that TDP-43 can move between cells. Here we used a novel flow cytometry technique (FloIT) to analyze TDP-43 inclusions and propagation. When cells were transfected to express either mutant G294A TDP-43 fused to GFP or wild type TDP-43fused to tomato red and then co-cultured, flow cytometry detected intact cells containing both fusion proteins and using FloIT detected an increase in the numbers of inclusions in lysates from cells expressing wild type TDP-43-tomato. Furthermore, in this same model, FloIT analyses detected inclusions containing both fusion proteins. These results imply the transfer of TDP-43 fusion proteins between cells and that this process can increase aggregation of wild-type TDP-43 by a mechanism involving co-aggregation with G294A TDP-43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaa Zeineddine
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
| | - Daniel R Whiten
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
| | - Maya A Hanspal
- c Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.,d Centre for Misfolding Diseases , Cambridge , UK
| | - Janet R Kumita
- c Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.,d Centre for Misfolding Diseases , Cambridge , UK
| | - Mark R Wilson
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- a Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW , Australia.,b School of Biological Sciences, Science Medicine and Health Faculty , University of Wollongong, Wollongong , NSW , Australia
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30
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McAlary L, Aquilina JA, Yerbury JJ. Susceptibility of Mutant SOD1 to Form a Destabilized Monomer Predicts Cellular Aggregation and Toxicity but Not In vitro Aggregation Propensity. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:499. [PMID: 27867347 PMCID: PMC5095133 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the rapid and progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem and motor cortex. The first gene linked to ALS was the gene encoding the free radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) that currently has over 180, mostly missense, ALS-associated mutations identified. SOD1-associated fALS patients show remarkably broad mean survival times (<1 year to ~17 years death post-diagnosis) that are mutation dependent. A hallmark of SOD1-associated ALS is the deposition of SOD1 into large insoluble aggregates in motor neurons. This is thought to be a consequence of mutation induced structural destabilization and/or oxidative damage leading to the misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 into a neurotoxic species. Here we aim to understand the relationship between SOD1 variant toxicity, structural stability, and aggregation propensity using a combination of cell culture and purified protein assays. Cell based assays indicated that aggregation of SOD1 variants correlate closely to cellular toxicity. However, the relationship between cellular toxicity and disease severity was less clear. We next utilized mass spectrometry to interrogate the structural consequences of metal loss and disulfide reduction on fALS-associated SOD1 variant structure. All variants showed evidence of unfolded, intermediate, and compact conformations, with SOD1G37R, SOD1G93A and SOD1V148G having the greatest abundance of intermediate and unfolded SOD1. SOD1G37R was an informative outlier as it had a high propensity to unfold and form oligomeric aggregates, but it did not aggregate to the same extent as SOD1G93A and SOD1V148G in in vitro aggregation assays. Furthermore, seeding the aggregation of DTT/EDTA-treated SOD1G37R with preformed SOD1G93A fibrils elicited minimal aggregation response, suggesting that the arginine substitution at position-37 blocks the templating of SOD1 onto preformed fibrils. We propose that this difference may be explained by multiple strains of SOD1 aggregate and this may also help explain the slow disease progression observed in patients with SOD1G37R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Lab 210, Illawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteWollongong, NSW, Australia; Science Medicine and Health Faculty, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - J Andrew Aquilina
- Science Medicine and Health Faculty, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Lab 210, Illawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteWollongong, NSW, Australia; Science Medicine and Health Faculty, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
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31
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Whiten DR, San Gil R, McAlary L, Yerbury JJ, Ecroyd H, Wilson MR. Rapid flow cytometric measurement of protein inclusions and nuclear trafficking. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31138. [PMID: 27516358 PMCID: PMC4981889 DOI: 10.1038/srep31138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous cytoplasmic inclusions are an indicator of dysfunction in normal cellular proteostasis and a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. We describe a simple and rapid new flow cytometry-based method to enumerate, characterise and, if desired, physically recover protein inclusions from cells. This technique can analyse and resolve a broad variety of inclusions differing in both size and protein composition, making it applicable to essentially any model of intracellular protein aggregation. The method also allows rapid quantification of the nuclear trafficking of fluorescently labelled molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Whiten
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
| | - R San Gil
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
| | - L McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
| | - J J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
| | - H Ecroyd
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
| | - M R Wilson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW2522, Australia
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McAlary L, Yerbury JJ, Aquilina JA. Glutathionylation potentiates benign superoxide dismutase 1 variants to the toxic forms associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3275. [PMID: 24253732 PMCID: PMC3834562 DOI: 10.1038/srep03275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dissociation of superoxide dismutase 1 dimers is enhanced by glutathionylation, although the dissociation constants reported to date are imprecise. We have quantified the discreet dissociation constants for wild-type superoxide dismutase 1 and six naturally occurring sequence variants, in their unmodified and glutathionylated forms, at the ratios expressed. Unmodified superoxide dismutase 1 variants that shared similar dissociation constants with SOD1WT had disproportionately increased dissociation constants when glutathionylated. This defines a key role for glutathionylation in superoxide dismutase 1 associated familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- 1] Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW, Australia 2522 [2] School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW, Australia 2522
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