scholarly journals A Review on Structure Based Therapeutic Approach for Huntington Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 536-543
Author(s):  
Om Prakash Goshain ◽  
Satish Kumar Sharma

Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease that has affected the social and personal life of patients. The disease causes the most disturbing symptoms of chorea, which is characterized by uncontrolled body movements. HD patients are being treated by providing drugs that maintain neurotransmission balance and relieve chorea symptoms. HD has been associated with mutant Huntingtin protein (mHtt) with more than thirty-six polyQ stretches at N terminal of 34 kDaHtt protein. mHtt protein undergoes misfolding, which leads to accumulation of toxic mHtt aggregates in the brain. The phenomenon of protein aggregation initiates a cascade of events, eventually leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and misregulated unfolding protein response (UPR). Different molecular targets have been identified from ER stress and UPR pathways for finding potential molecules that can treat HD. Overall, the mechanism causes structural transitions in mHtt, which can be controlled at the subatomic and molecular level by molecular dynamic simulations (MDS). The MDS strategies help to observe structural changes in the mHtt protein and association pattern between the protein and novel drug compounds. Hence, this study explains the journey of HD research to computational strategies and the scope of structural drug designing in psychologically disturbing Huntington’s disease.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Mae Wilson ◽  
Aurora Burkus-Matesevac ◽  
Samuel Maddox ◽  
Christopher Chouinard

β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative (ND) symptoms following chronic environmental exposure through water and dietary sources. The brains of those affected by this condition, often referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PDC), have exhibited the presence of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) from protein aggregation. Although numerous studies have sought to better understand the correlation between BMAA exposure and onset of ND symptoms, no definitive link has been identified. One prevailing hypothesis is that BMAA acts a small molecule ligand, complexing with critical proteins in the brain and reducing their function. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of BMAA exposure on the native structure of ubiquitin. We hypothesized that formation of a Ubiquitin+BMAA noncovalent complex would alter the protein’s structure and folding and ultimately affect the ubiquitinproteasome system (UPS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ion mobility-mass spectrometry revealed that at sufficiently high concentrations BMAA did in fact form a noncovalent complex with ubiquitin, however similar complexes were identified for a range of additional amino acids. Collision induced unfolding (CIU) was used to interrogate the unfolding dynamics of native ubiquitin and these Ubq-amino acid complexes and it was determined that complexation with BMAA led to a significant alteration in native protein size and conformation, and this complex required considerably more energy to unfold. This indicates that the complex remains more stable under native conditions and this may indicate that BMAA has attached to a critical binding location.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Mae Wilson ◽  
Aurora Burkus-Matesevac ◽  
Samuel Maddox ◽  
Christopher Chouinard

β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative (ND) symptoms following chronic environmental exposure through water and dietary sources. The brains of those affected by this condition, often referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PDC), have exhibited the presence of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) from protein aggregation. Although numerous studies have sought to better understand the correlation between BMAA exposure and onset of ND symptoms, no definitive link has been identified. One prevailing hypothesis is that BMAA acts a small molecule ligand, complexing with critical proteins in the brain and reducing their function. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of BMAA exposure on the native structure of ubiquitin. We hypothesized that formation of a Ubiquitin+BMAA noncovalent complex would alter the protein’s structure and folding and ultimately affect the ubiquitinproteasome system (UPS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ion mobility-mass spectrometry revealed that at sufficiently high concentrations BMAA did in fact form a noncovalent complex with ubiquitin, however similar complexes were identified for a range of additional amino acids. Collision induced unfolding (CIU) was used to interrogate the unfolding dynamics of native ubiquitin and these Ubq-amino acid complexes and it was determined that complexation with BMAA led to a significant alteration in native protein size and conformation, and this complex required considerably more energy to unfold. This indicates that the complex remains more stable under native conditions and this may indicate that BMAA has attached to a critical binding location.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Alizadeh ◽  
Ghasem Ghasempour ◽  
Elnaz Golestaneh ◽  
Yasaman Safian Isfahani ◽  
Arya Emami ◽  
...  

Background: Pregnancy is associated with oxidative stress that results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR). Prolonged-unalleviated ER stress causes the activation of the autophagy pathway via UPR. Expression of genes encoding glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and BECLIN1 are induced in UPR and autophagy. Objectives: We studied the mRNA expression of the aforementioned genes in the liver and brain of Nulligravida versus saline and ethanol-treated pregnant rats. Methods: Control pregnant rats were orally treated with normal saline, and test animals received ethanol 250 mg/kg or resveratrol 120 mg/kg from day 1 to day 21 of gestation. Nulligravida rats treated by saline comprised the non-pregnant control group. On day 21, mRNAs encoding GRP78 and BECLIN1 were extracted from the liver and brain tissues and assessed using real-time PCR. Results: Our results showed that the level of transcripts encoding GRP78 and BECLIN1 was higher in the liver of pregnant rats compared to Nulligravida ones. Further, ethanol decreased the mRNA levels of GRP78 and BECLIN1 in the liver of pregnant rats, an effect that was reversed by resveratrol. Levels of GRP78 transcripts were decreased, and those of BECLIN1 remained unchanged in the brain of ethanol exposed pregnant rats. Conclusions: Levels of mRNAs for GRP78 and BECLIN1 are up-regulated during pregnancy. These levels are reduced in the liver of ethanol-treated rats, and resveratrol compensates these effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Elisabeth A. Spronck ◽  
Astrid Vallès ◽  
Margit H. Lampen ◽  
Paula S. Montenegro-Miranda ◽  
Sonay Keskin ◽  
...  

Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal, neurodegenerative genetic disorder with aggregation of mutant Huntingtin protein (mutHTT) in the brain as a key pathological mechanism. There are currently no disease modifying therapies for HD; however, HTT-lowering therapies hold promise. Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 expressing a microRNA that targets HTT mRNA (AAV5-miHTT) is in development for the treatment of HD with promising results in rodent and minipig HD models. To support a clinical trial, toxicity studies were performed in non-human primates (NHP, Macaca fascicularis) and Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the safety of AAV5-miHTT, the neurosurgical administration procedure, vector delivery and expression of the miHTT transgene during a 6-month observation period. For accurate delivery of AAV5-miHTT to the striatum, real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with convection-enhanced delivery (CED) was used in NHP. Catheters were successfully implanted in 24 NHP, without neurological symptoms, and resulted in tracer signal in the target areas. Widespread vector DNA and miHTT transgene distribution in the brain was found, particularly in areas associated with HD pathology. Intrastriatal administration of AAV5-miHTT was well tolerated with no clinically relevant changes in either species. These studies demonstrate the excellent safety profile of AAV5-miHTT, the reproducibility and tolerability of intrastriatal administration, and the delivery of AAV5-miHTT to the brain, which support the transition of AAV5-miHTT into clinical studies.


2020 ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
E. М. Hayrapetyan ◽  
N. N. Pokrovskaia ◽  
A. B. Chernykh

Fundamental sociological theories of migration study reveal the motives for an individual’s and households’ making decision to migrate, as well as the social factors and consequences of the unfolding of migration processes. Structural changes taking place in society caused by both the innovative nature of economic growth as a whole and the digitalization and expansion of information and telecommunications technologies imply the perception of the phenomenon of migration not only as a territorial movement of the population in space for a long period. Digitalization and development of remote forms of work, in particular, reduces the need for physical concentration of human resources, which allows people to choose the most comfortable places to live. Special attention is paid to the Diaspora, which is one of the important tools for solving communication difficulties. The sociological analysis of migration processes in Armenia illustrates the application of the main concepts, in particular, networked migration and reliance on the Diaspora.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayed Md Mumtaz ◽  
Gautam Bhardwaj ◽  
Shikha Goswami ◽  
Rajiv Kumar Tonk ◽  
Ramesh K. Goyal ◽  
...  

: The Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM; grade IV astrocytoma) exhort tumor of star-shaped glial cell in the brain. It is a fast-growing tumor that spreads to nearby brain regions specifically to cerebral hemispheres in frontal and temporal lobes. The etiology of GBM is unknown, but major risk factors are genetic disorder like neurofibromatosis and schwanomatosis which develop the tumor in the nervous system. The management of GBM with chemo-radio therapy leads to resistance and current drug regimen like Temozolomide (TMZ) is less efficacious. The reasons behind failure of drugs are due to DNA alkylation in cell cycle by enzyme DNA guanidase and mitochondrial dysfunction. Naturally occurring bio-active compounds from plants known as phytochemicals, serve as vital sources for anti-cancer drugs. Some typical examples include taxol analogs, vinca alkaloids such as vincristine, vinblastine, podophyllotoxin analogs, camptothecin, curcumin, aloe emodin, quercetin, berberine e.t.c. These phytochemicals often act via regulating molecular pathways which are implicated in growth and progression of cancers. However the challenges posed by the presence of BBB/BBTB to restrict passage of these phytochemicals, culminates in their low bioavailability and relative toxicity. In this review we integrated nanotech as novel drug delivery system to deliver phytochemicals from traditional medicine to the specific site within the brain for the management of GBM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 676-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roma Ghai ◽  
Kandasamy Nagarajan ◽  
Meenakshi Arora ◽  
Parul Grover ◽  
Nazakat Ali ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic, devastating dysfunction of neurons in the brain leading to dementia. It mainly arises due to neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus area of the brain and is clinically manifested as a progressive mental failure, disordered cognitive functions, personality changes, reduced verbal fluency and impairment of speech. The pathology behind AD is the formation of intraneuronal fibrillary tangles, deposition of amyloid plaque and decline in choline acetyltransferase and loss of cholinergic neurons. Tragically, the disease cannot be cured, but its progression can be halted. Various cholinesterase inhibitors available in the market like Tacrine, Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine, etc. are being used to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The paper’s objective is to throw light not only on the cellular/genetic basis of the disease, but also on the current trends and various strategies of treatment including the use of phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Enormous literature survey was conducted and published articles of PubMed, Scifinder, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials.org and Alzheimer Association reports were studied intensively to consolidate the information on the strategies available to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, several strategies are being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Immunotherapies targeting amyloid-beta plaques, tau protein and neural pathways are undergoing clinical trials. Moreover, antisense oligonucleotide methodologies are being approached as therapies for its management. Phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are also gaining attention in overcoming the symptoms related to AD. The present review article concludes that novel and traditional therapies simultaneously promise future hope for AD treatment.


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