1
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Peña-Díaz S, Pujols J, Vasili E, Pinheiro F, Santos J, Manglano-Artuñedo Z, Outeiro TF, Ventura S. The small aromatic compound SynuClean-D inhibits the aggregation and seeded polymerization of multiple α-synuclein strains. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101902. [PMID: 35390347 PMCID: PMC9079179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, as well as the accumulation of intraneuronal proteinaceous inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. The major protein component of Lewy inclusions is the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (α-Syn), which can adopt diverse amyloid structures. Different conformational strains of α-Syn have been proposed to be related to the onset of distinct synucleinopathies; however, how specific amyloid fibrils cause distinctive pathological traits is not clear. Here, we generated three different α-Syn amyloid conformations at different pH and salt concentrations and analyzed the activity of SynuClean-D (SC-D), a small aromatic molecule, on these strains. We show that incubation of α-Syn with SC-D reduced the formation of aggregates and the seeded polymerization of α-Syn in all cases. Moreover, we found that SC-D exhibited a general fibril disaggregation activity. Finally, we demonstrate that treatment with SC-D also reduced strain-specific intracellular accumulation of phosphorylated α-Syn inclusions. Taken together, we conclude that SC-D may be a promising hit compound to inhibit polymorphic α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Pujols
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Eftychia Vasili
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Francisca Pinheiro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Zoe Manglano-Artuñedo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle, United Kingdom; Scientific Employee With a Honorary Contract at Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; ICREA, Passeig Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Kato H, Sato H, Okuda M, Wu J, Koyama S, Izumi Y, Waku T, Iino M, Aoki M, Arawaka S, Ohta Y, Ishizawa K, Kawasaki K, Urano Y, Miyasaka T, Noguchi N, Kume T, Akaike A, Sugimoto H, Kato T. Therapeutic effect of a novel curcumin derivative GT863 on a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:489-495. [PMID: 34894926 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.2012699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of the curcumin derivative 3-[(1E)-2-(1H-indol-6-yl)ethenyl]-5-[(1E)-2-[2-methoxy-4-(2-pyridylmethoxy)phenyl]ethenyl]-1H-pyrazole (GT863) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The inhibitory effect of GT863 on superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) aggregation was evaluated in cell-free assays. GT863 interfered with the conformational changes of the SOD1 protein and later, oligomeric aggregation. Furthermore, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects were evaluated in cell-free and cultured cell assays. GT863 inhibited H2O2- and glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and activated an antioxidant responsive element pathway. Additionally, in vivo effects of GT863 in the ALS mice model were evaluated by its oral administration to H46R mutant SOD1 transgenic mice. Rotarod test showed that GT863 administration significantly slowed the progression of motor dysfunction in the mice. In addition, GT863 substantially reduced highly-aggregated SOD1, further preserving large neurons in the spinal cord of GT863-treated mice. Collectively, these results indicated that GT863 could be a viable therapeutic agent with multiple vital actions for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Kato
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.,Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial-Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Sato
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Michiaki Okuda
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Green Tech Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Koyama
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Izumi
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Waku
- Faculty of Molecular Chemistry and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto-shi, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Iino
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial-Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan, and
| | - Shigeki Arawaka
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohta
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Kenichi Ishizawa
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Kanan Kawasaki
- Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuomi Urano
- Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Miyasaka
- Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Noguchi
- Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kume
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akinori Akaike
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hachiro Sugimoto
- Green Tech Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan.,Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeo Kato
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Internal Medicine III, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
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3
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Hu Y, Yang D, Tu Y, Chai K, Chu L, Shi S, Yao T. Dynamic-Inspired Perspective on the Molecular Inhibitor of Tau Aggregation by Glucose Gallates Based on Human Neurons. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:4162-4174. [PMID: 34649422 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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
A molecular inhibitor of tau protein aggregation offers an attractive therapeutic possibility as disease-modifying treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, the ineffectiveness as well as adjoint toxicity due to superficial understanding of the inhibition mechanism has hindered drug development. Conventional approaches for screening drug ligands rely on compatible docking with the well-defined structure of a protein receptor. Therefore, the design of tau aggregation inhibitors has been inevitably hindered by the unstructured, highly dynamic nature of the tau protein. This paper suggested a new strategy for reducing tau aggregation through a dynamic process of conformational isomerization. A group of glucose gallate derivatives were selected as tau aggregation inhibitors. These star-shaped molecules have a biocompatible glucose core surrounded by several gallic acid polyphenol arms, which can bind to peptide chains at different sites, probably through hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking. Theoretically, by elevating the saddle point on the potential energy surfaces (PES) of proteins, the barrier in the dynamic pathway of peptide isomerization, glucose gallates effectively inhibit tau aggregation through a dynamic mechanism. A tau cell model based on human neurons was constructed. For the first time, we confirmed that the moderate thermodynamic binding of the molecular ligand to the tau peptide chain can not only prevent the isomerization of the peptide chain leading to aggregation but also avoid toxicity resulting from the dissociation of tau from microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Hu
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Danjing Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ying Tu
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Keke Chai
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lei Chu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuo Shi
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Tianming Yao
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Anglada‐Huguet M, Rodrigues S, Hochgräfe K, Mandelkow E, Mandelkow E. Inhibition of Tau aggregation with BSc3094 reduces Tau and decreases cognitive deficits in rTg4510 mice. Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 2021; 7:e12170. [PMID: 34095439 PMCID: PMC8168941 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD)is the aberrant modification and aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau . The extent of Tau pathology correlates with cognitive decline, strongly implicating Tau in the pathogenesis of the disease. Because the inhibition of Tau aggregation may be a promising therapeutic target, we tested the efficacy of BSc3094, an inhibitor of Tau aggregation, in reducing Tau pathology and ameliorating the disease symptoms in transgenic mice. METHODS Mice expressing human Tau with the P301L mutation (line rTg4510) were infused with BSc3094 into the lateral ventricle using Alzet osmotic pumps connected to a cannula that was placed on the skull of the mice, thus bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) . The drug treatment lasted for 2 months, and the effect of BSc3094 on cognition and on reversing hallmarks of Tau pathology was assessed. RESULTS BSc3094 significantly reduced the levels of Tau phosphorylation and sarkosyl-insoluble Tau. In addition, the drug improved cognition in different behavioral tasks and reduced anxiety-like behavior in the transgenic mice used in the study. CONCLUSIONS Our in vivo investigations demonstrated that BSc3094 is capable of partially reducing the pathological hallmarks typically observed in Tau transgenic mice, highlighting BSc3094 as a promising compound for a future therapeutic approach for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Anglada‐Huguet
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesDZNEBonnGermany
- Center for Advanced European Studies and ResearchCAESARBonnGermany
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesDZNEBonnGermany
- Center for Advanced European Studies and ResearchCAESARBonnGermany
| | - Katja Hochgräfe
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesDZNEBonnGermany
- Center for Advanced European Studies and ResearchCAESARBonnGermany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesDZNEBonnGermany
- Center for Advanced European Studies and ResearchCAESARBonnGermany
| | - Eva‐Maria Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesDZNEBonnGermany
- Center for Advanced European Studies and ResearchCAESARBonnGermany
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5
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Zou X, Himbert S, Dujardin A, Juhasz J, Ros S, Stöver HDH, Rheinstädter MC. Curcumin and Homotaurine Suppress Amyloid-β 25-35 Aggregation in Synthetic Brain Membranes. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1395-1405. [PMID: 33826295 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides spontaneously aggregate into β- and cross-β-sheets in model brain membranes. These nanometer sized can fuse into larger micrometer sized clusters and become extracellular and serve as nuclei for further plaque and fibril growth. Curcumin and homotaurine represent two different types of Aβ aggregation inhibitors. While homotaurine is a peptic antiaggregant that binds to amyloid peptides, curcumin is a nonpeptic molecule that can inhibit aggregation by changing membrane properties. By using optical and fluorescent microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectroscopy, we study the effect of curcumin and homotaurine on Aβ25-35 aggregates in synthetic brain membranes. Both molecules partition spontaneously and uniformly in membranes and do not lead to observable membrane defects or disruption in our experiments. Both curcumin and homotaurine were found to significantly reduce the number of small, nanoscopic Aβ aggregates and the corresponding β- and cross-β-sheet signals. While a number of research projects focus on potential drug candidates that target Aβ peptides directly, membrane-lipid therapy explores membrane-mediated pathways to suppress peptide aggregation. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that membrane active drugs can be as efficient as peptide targeting drugs in inhibiting amyloid aggregation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyuan Zou
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Sebastian Himbert
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Alix Dujardin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Janos Juhasz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
| | - Samantha Ros
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Harald D. H. Stöver
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Maikel C. Rheinstädter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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6
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Itoh SG, Okumura H. Promotion and Inhibition of Amyloid-β Peptide Aggregation: Molecular Dynamics Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1859. [PMID: 33668406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are known to be related to Alzheimer’s disease. Their aggregation is enhanced at hydrophilic–hydrophobic interfaces, such as a cell membrane surface and air-water interface, and is inhibited by polyphenols, such as myricetin and rosmarinic acid. We review molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approaches of a full-length Aβ peptide, Aβ40, and Aβ(16–22) fragments in these environments. Since these peptides have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acid residues, they tend to exist at the interfaces. The high concentration of the peptides accelerates the aggregation there. In addition, Aβ40 forms a β-hairpin structure, and this structure accelerates the aggregation. We also describe the inhibition mechanism of the Aβ(16–22) aggregation by polyphenols. The aggregation of Aβ(16–22) fragments is caused mainly by the electrostatic attraction between charged amino acid residues known as Lys16 and Glu22. Since polyphenols form hydrogen bonds between their hydroxy and carboxyl groups and these charged amino acid residues, they inhibit the aggregation.
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7
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Minakawa EN, Nagai Y. Protein Aggregation Inhibitors as Disease-Modifying Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:621996. [PMID: 33642983 PMCID: PMC7907447 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.621996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by the abnormal expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat that are translated into an expanded polyQ stretch in the disease-causative proteins. The expanded polyQ stretch itself plays a critical disease-causative role in the pathomechanisms underlying polyQ diseases. Notably, the expanded polyQ stretch undergoes a conformational transition from the native monomer into the β-sheet-rich monomer, followed by the formation of soluble oligomers and then insoluble aggregates with amyloid fibrillar structures. The intermediate soluble species including the β-sheet-rich monomer and oligomers exhibit substantial neurotoxicity. Therefore, protein conformation stabilization and aggregation inhibition that target the upstream of the insoluble aggregate formation would be a promising approach toward the development of disease-modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. PolyQ aggregation inhibitors of different chemical categories, such as intrabodies, peptides, and small chemical compounds, have been identified through intensive screening methods. Among them, recent advances in the brain delivery methods of several peptides and the screening of small chemical compounds have brought them closer to clinical utility. Notably, the recent discovery of arginine as a potent conformation stabilizer and aggregation inhibitor of polyQ proteins both in vitro and in vivo have paved way to the clinical trial for the patients with polyQ diseases. Meanwhile, expression reduction of expanded polyQ proteins per se would be another promising approach toward disease modification of polyQ diseases. Gene silencing, especially by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), have succeeded in reducing the expression of polyQ proteins in the animal models of various polyQ diseases by targeting the aberrant mRNA with expanded CAG repeats. Of note, some of these ASOs have recently been translated into clinical trials. Here we overview and discuss these recent advances toward the development of disease modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. We envision that combination therapies using aggregation inhibitors and gene silencing would meet the needs of the patients with polyQ diseases and their caregivers in the near future to delay or prevent the onset and progression of these currently intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiko N Minakawa
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.,Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Peña-Díaz S, Pujols J, Conde-Giménez M, Čarija A, Dalfo E, García J, Navarro S, Pinheiro F, Santos J, Salvatella X, Sancho J, Ventura S. ZPD-2, a Small Compound That Inhibits α-Synuclein Amyloid Aggregation and Its Seeded Polymerization. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:306. [PMID: 31920537 PMCID: PMC6928008 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) forms toxic intracellular protein inclusions and transmissible amyloid structures in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Preventing α-Syn self-assembly has become one of the most promising approaches in the search for disease-modifying treatments for this neurodegenerative disorder. Here, we describe the capacity of a small molecule (ZPD-2), identified after a high-throughput screening, to inhibit α-Syn aggregation. ZPD-2 inhibits the aggregation of wild-type α-Syn and the A30P and H50Q familial variants in vitro at substoichiometric compound:protein ratios. In addition, the molecule prevents the spreading of α-Syn seeds in protein misfolding cyclic amplification assays. ZPD-2 is active against different α-Syn strains and blocks their seeded polymerization. Treating with ZPD-2 two different PD Caenorhabditis elegans models that express α-Syn either in muscle or in dopaminergic (DA) neurons substantially reduces the number of α-Syn inclusions and decreases synuclein-induced DA neurons degeneration. Overall, ZPD-2 is a hit compound worth to be explored in order to develop lead molecules for therapeutic intervention in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Pujols
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Conde-Giménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Anita Čarija
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Dalfo
- Faculty of Medicine, M2, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain
| | - Jesús García
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Navarro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisca Pinheiro
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Salvatella
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institute for Research and Advance Studies, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Sancho
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institute for Research and Advance Studies, Barcelona, Spain
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9
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Najarzadeh Z, Mohammad-Beigi H, Nedergaard Pedersen J, Christiansen G, Sønderby TV, Shojaosadati SA, Morshedi D, Strømgaard K, Meisl G, Sutherland D, Skov Pedersen J, Otzen DE. Plant Polyphenols Inhibit Functional Amyloid and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Strains by Directing Monomers to Off-Pathway Oligomers. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E659. [PMID: 31717821 PMCID: PMC6920965 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of proteins to β-sheet rich amyloid fibrils is commonly observed in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, amyloid also occurs in the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilm, which protects bacteria from environmental stress and antibiotics. Many Pseudomonas strains produce functional amyloid where the main component is the highly fibrillation-prone protein FapC. FapC fibrillation may be inhibited by small molecules such as plant polyphenols, which are already known to inhibit formation of pathogenic amyloid, but the mechanism and biological impact of inhibition is unclear. Here, we elucidate how polyphenols modify the self-assembly of functional amyloid, with particular focus on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG), baicalein, oleuropein, and procyanidin B2. We find EGCG and PGG to be the best inhibitors. These compounds inhibit amyloid formation by redirecting the aggregation of FapC monomers into oligomeric species, which according to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements organize into core-shell complexes of short axis diameters 25-26 nm consisting of ~7 monomers. Using peptide arrays, we identify EGCG-binding sites in FapC's linker regions, C and N-terminal parts, and high amyloidogenic sequences located in the R2 and R3 repeats. We correlate our biophysical observations to biological impact by demonstrating that the extent of amyloid inhibition by the different inhibitors correlated with their ability to reduce biofilm, highlighting the potential of anti-amyloid polyphenols as therapeutic agents against biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Najarzadeh
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran;
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Hossein Mohammad-Beigi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Biomedicine-Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Thorbjørn Vincent Sønderby
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Seyed Abbas Shojaosadati
- Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran;
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box: 1417863171, Tehran, Iran;
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark;
| | - Georg Meisl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK;
| | - Duncan Sutherland
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (H.M.-B.); (J.N.P.); (T.V.S.); (D.S.)
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10
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Schwab K, Frahm S, Horsley D, Rickard JE, Melis V, Goatman EA, Magbagbeolu M, Douglas M, Leith MG, Baddeley TC, Storey JMD, Riedel G, Wischik CM, Harrington CR, Theuring F. A Protein Aggregation Inhibitor, Leuco-Methylthioninium Bis(Hydromethanesulfonate), Decreases α-Synuclein Inclusions in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 10:447. [PMID: 29375308 PMCID: PMC5767730 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation is a pathological feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD). We have tested whether N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-10H-phenothiazine-3,7-diaminium bis(hydromethanesulfonate) (leuco-methylthioninium bis(hydromethanesulfonate); LMTM), a tau aggregation inhibitor, affects α-Syn aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Both cellular and transgenic models in which the expression of full-length human α-Syn (h-α-Syn) fused with a signal sequence peptide to promote α-Syn aggregation were used. Aggregated α-Syn was observed following differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells transfected with h-α-Syn. The appearance of aggregated α-Syn was inhibited by LMTM, with an EC50 of 1.1 μM, with minimal effect on h-α-Syn mRNA levels being observed. Two independent lines of mice (L58 and L62) transgenic for the same fusion protein accumulated neuronal h-α-Syn that, with aging, developed into fibrillary inclusions characterized by both resistance to proteinase K (PK)-cleavage and their ability to bind thiazin red. There was a significant decrease in α-Syn-positive neurons in multiple brain regions following oral treatment of male and female mice with LMTM administered daily for 6 weeks at 5 and 15 mg MT/kg. The early aggregates of α-Syn and the late-stage fibrillar inclusions were both susceptible to inhibition by LMTM, a treatment that also resulted in the rescue of movement and anxiety-related traits in these mice. The results suggest that LMTM may provide a potential disease modification therapy in PD and other synucleinopathies through the inhibition of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Goatman
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morag Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Michael G Leith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas C Baddeley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Paranjape SR, Riley AP, Somoza AD, Oakley CE, Wang CCC, Prisinzano TE, Oakley BR, Gamblin TC. Azaphilones inhibit tau aggregation and dissolve tau aggregates in vitro. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:751-60. [PMID: 25822288 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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
The aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is a seminal event in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The inhibition or reversal of tau aggregation is therefore a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Fungal natural products have proven to be a rich source of useful compounds having wide varieties of biological activities. We have previously screened Aspergillus nidulans secondary metabolites for their ability to inhibit tau aggregation in vitro using an arachidonic acid polymerization protocol. One aggregation inhibitor identified was asperbenzaldehyde, an intermediate in azaphilone biosynthesis. We therefore tested 11 azaphilone derivatives to determine their tau assembly inhibition properties in vitro. All compounds tested inhibited tau filament assembly to some extent, and four of the 11 compounds had the advantageous property of disassembling preformed tau aggregates in a dose-dependent fashion. The addition of these compounds to the tau aggregates reduced both the total length and number of tau polymers. The most potent compounds were tested in in vitro reactions to determine whether they interfere with tau's normal function of stabilizing microtubules (MTs). We found that they did not completely inhibit MT assembly in the presence of tau. These derivatives are very promising lead compounds for tau aggregation inhibitors and, more excitingly, for compounds that can disassemble pre-existing tau filaments. They also represent a new class of anti-tau aggregation compounds with a novel structural scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita R. Paranjape
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Andrew P. Riley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Amber D. Somoza
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - C. Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Thomas E. Prisinzano
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Berl R. Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - T. Chris Gamblin
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, ⊥Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
- Department of Chemistry, ∥Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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