scholarly journals Formation of Toxic Amyloid Fibrils by Amyloidβ-Protein on Ganglioside Clusters

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsumi Matsuzaki
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Membrane Interaction

It is widely accepted that the conversion of the soluble, nontoxic amyloidβ-protein (Aβ) monomer to aggregated toxic Aβrich inβ-sheet structures is central to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanism of the abnormal aggregation of Aβin vivo is not well understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipid rafts (microdomains) in membranes mainly composed of sphingolipids (gangliosides and sphingomyelin) and cholesterol play a pivotal role in this process. This paper summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which Aβaggregates on membranes containing ganglioside clusters, forming amyloid fibrils. Notably, the toxicity and physicochemical properties of the fibrils are different from those of Aβamyloids formed in solution. Furthermore, differences between Aβ-(1–40) and Aβ-(1–42) in membrane interaction and amyloidogenesis are also emphasized.

scholarly journals The Anti-Amyloidogenic Action of Doxycycline: A Molecular Dynamics Study on the Interaction with Aβ42

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Gautieri ◽  
Marten Beeg ◽  
Marco Gobbi ◽  
Federica Rigoldi ◽  
Laura Colombo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Fibrillar Structure ◽  
Structure Based Drug Design

The pathological aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins is a hallmark of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and prion diseases. We have shown both in vitro and in vivo that doxycycline can inhibit the aggregation of Aβ42 amyloid fibrils and disassemble mature amyloid fibrils. However, the molecular mechanisms of the drug’s anti-amyloidogenic property are not understood. In this study, a series of molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explain the molecular mechanism of the destabilization of Aβ42 fibrils by doxycycline and to compare the action of doxycycline with those of iododoxorubicin (a toxic structural homolog of tetracyclines), curcumin (known to have anti-amyloidogenic activity) and gentamicin (an antibiotic with no experimental evidence of anti-amyloidogenic properties). We found that doxycycline tightly binds the exposed hydrophobic amino acids of the Aβ42 amyloid fibrils, partly leading to destabilization of the fibrillar structure. Clarifying the molecular determinants of doxycycline binding to Aβ42 may help devise further strategies for structure-based drug design for Alzheimer’s disease.

Targeting PPARalpha in Alzheimer's Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara D'Orio ◽  
Anna Fracassi ◽  
Maria Paola Cerù ◽  
Sandra Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Antioxidant Response ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Prevailing Paradigm

Background: The molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) are yet to be fully elucidated. The so-called “amyloid cascade hypothesis” has long been the prevailing paradigm for causation of disease, and is today being revisited in relation to other pathogenic pathways, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and energy dysmetabolism. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and regulate many physiological processes, such as energy metabolism, neurotransmission, redox homeostasis, autophagy and cell cycle. Among the three isotypes (α, β/δ, γ), PPARγ role is the most extensively studied, while information on α and β/δ are still scanty. However, recent in vitro and in vivo evidence point to PPARα as a promising therapeutic target in AD. Conclusion: This review provides an update on this topic, focussing on the effects of natural or synthetic agonists in modulating pathogenetic mechanisms at AD onset and during its progression. Ligandactivated PPARα inihibits amyloidogenic pathway, Tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation. Concomitantly, the receptor elicits an enzymatic antioxidant response to oxidative stress, ameliorates glucose and lipid dysmetabolism, and stimulates autophagy.

Genetic Modifiers of Tauopathy in Drosophila

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (3) ◽  
pp. 1233-1242
Author(s):  
Joshua M Shulman ◽  
Mel B Feany
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Modifier ◽  
Genetic Modifiers ◽  
Protein Tau ◽  
Major Class ◽  
Drosophila Model ◽  
Tau Kinases

Abstract In Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, the microtubule-associated protein Tau is abnormally hyperphosphorylated and aggregated into neurofibrillary tangles. Mutations in the tau gene cause familial frontotemporal dementia. To investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for Tau-induced neurodegeneration, we conducted a genetic modifier screen in a Drosophila model of tauopathy. Kinases and phosphatases comprised the major class of modifiers recovered, and several candidate Tau kinases were similarly shown to enhance Tau toxicity in vivo. Despite some clinical and pathological similarities among neurodegenerative disorders, a direct comparison of modifiers between different Drosophila disease models revealed that the genetic pathways controlling Tau and polyglutamine toxicity are largely distinct. Our results demonstrate that kinases and phosphatases control Tau-induced neurodegeneration and have important implications for the development of therapies in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

scholarly journals Imaging and Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Femminella ◽  
Tony Thayanandan ◽  
Valeria Calsolaro ◽  
Klara Komici ◽  
Giuseppe Rengo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Multimodal Imaging ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Imaging Biomarkers ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Made In

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is a significant burden for affected patients, carers, and health systems. Great advances have been made in understanding its pathophysiology, to a point that we are moving from a purely clinical diagnosis to a biological one based on the use of biomarkers. Among those, imaging biomarkers are invaluable in Alzheimer’s, as they provide an in vivo window to the pathological processes occurring in Alzheimer’s brain. While some imaging techniques are still under evaluation in the research setting, some have reached widespread clinical use. In this review, we provide an overview of the most commonly used imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease, from molecular PET imaging to structural MRI, emphasising the concept that multimodal imaging would likely prove to be the optimal tool in the future of Alzheimer’s research and clinical practice.

scholarly journals Alzheimer's disease alters astrocytic functions related to neuronal support and transcellular internalization of mitochondria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riikka Lampinen ◽  
Irina Belaya ◽  
Liudmila Saveleva ◽  
Jeffrey R Liddell ◽  
Dzhessi Rait ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Mitochondrial Transfer ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
First Time

Under physiological conditions in vivo astrocytes internalize and degrade neuronal mitochondria in a process called transmitophagy. Mitophagy is widely reported to be impaired in neurodegeneration but it is unknown whether and how transmitophagy is altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report that the internalization and degradation of neuronal mitochondria are significantly increased in astrocytes isolated from aged AD mouse brains. We also demonstrate for the first time a similar phenomenon between human neurons and AD astrocytes, and in murine hippocampi in vivo. The results suggest the involvement of S100a4 in impaired mitochondrial transfer between neurons and aged AD astrocytes. Significant increases in the mitophagy regulator Ambra1 were observed in the aged AD astrocytes. These findings demonstrate altered neuron-supporting functions of aged AD astrocytes and provide a starting point for studying the molecular mechanisms of transmitophagy in AD.

scholarly journals Cerebrovascular and microglial states are not altered by functional neuroinflammatory gene variant

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Felsky ◽  
Philip L De Jager ◽  
Julie A Schneider ◽  
Konstantinos Arfanakis ◽  
Debra A Fleischman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Translocator Protein ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Religious Orders ◽  
Binding Characteristics

The translocator protein, a microglial-expressed marker of neuroinflammation, has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by alterations in vascular and inflammatory states. A TSPO variant, rs6971, determines binding affinity of exogenous radioligands in vivo; however, the effect of these altered binding characteristics on inflammatory and cerebrovascular biomarkers has not been assessed. In 2345 living subjects (Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, n = 1330) and postmortem brain samples (Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project, n = 1015), we analyzed effects of rs6971 on white matter hyperintensisites, cerebral infarcts, circulating inflammatory biomarkers, amyloid angiopathy, and microglial activation. We found that rs6971 does not alter translocator protein in a way that impacts cerebrovascular and inflammatory states known to be affected in dementia.

scholarly journals Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation and microtubule binding of tau protein stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells.

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 1397-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Preuss ◽  
F Döring ◽  
S Illenberger ◽  
E M Mandelkow
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Paired Helical Filaments ◽  
Ovary Cells

Tau protein, a neuronal microtubule-associated protein, is phosphorylated in situ and hyperphosphorylated when aggregated into the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's disease. To study the phosphorylation of tau protein in vivo, we have stably transfected htau40, the largest human tau isoform, into Chinese hamster ovary cells. The distribution and phosphorylation of tau was monitored by gel shift, autoradiography, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting, using the antibodies Tau-1, AT8, AT180, and PHF-1, which are sensitive to the phosphorylation of Ser202, Thr205, Thr231, Ser235, Ser396, and Ser404 and are used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer tau. In interphase cells, tau becomes phosphorylated to some extent, partly at these sites; most of the tau is associated with microtubules. In mitosis, the above Ser/Thr-Pro sites become almost completely phosphorylated, causing a pronounced shift in M(r) and an antibody reactivity similar to that of Alzheimer tau. Moreover, a substantial fraction of tau is found in the cytoplasm detached from microtubules. Autoradiographs of metabolically labeled Chinese hamster ovary cells in interphase and mitosis confirmed that tau protein is more highly phosphorylated during mitosis. The understanding of tau phosphorylation under physiological conditions might help elucidate possible mechanisms for the hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease.

scholarly journals Resveratrol and Neuroprotection: Impact and Its Therapeutic Potential in Alzheimer's Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Habibur Rahman ◽  
Rokeya Akter ◽  
Tanima Bhattacharya ◽  
Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim ◽  
Saad Alkahtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Tau Proteins ◽  
Amyloid Peptides ◽  
Work Done

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive cortex and hippocampal neurodegenerative disease which ultimately causes cognitively impaired decline in patients. The AD pathogen is a very complex process, including aggregation of Aβ (β-amyloid peptides), phosphorylation of tau-proteins, and chronic inflammation. Exactly, resveratrol, a polyphenol present in red wine, and many plants are indicated to show the neuroprotective effect on mechanisms mostly above. Resveratrol plays an important role in promotion of non-amyloidogenic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. It also enhances the clearance of amyloid beta-peptides and reduces the damage of neurons. Most experimental research on AD and resveratrol has been performed in many species, both in vitro and in vivo, during the last few years. Nevertheless, resveratrol’s effects are restricted by its bioavailability in the reservoir. Therefore, scientists have tried to improve its efficiency by using different methods. This review focuses on recent work done on the cell and animal cultures and also focuses on the neuroprotective molecular mechanisms of resveratrol. It also discusses about the therapeutic potential onto the treatment of AD.

scholarly journals NAD+ in Alzheimer’s Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Systematic Therapeutic Evidence Obtained in vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinshi Wang ◽  
Hai-Jun He ◽  
Xi Xiong ◽  
Shuoting Zhou ◽  
Wen-Wen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Atp Production ◽  
Mitochondrial Homeostasis ◽  
Preclinical Trials ◽  
Cellular Bioenergetics

Mitochondria in neurons generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to provide the necessary energy required for constant activity. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a vital intermediate metabolite involved in cellular bioenergetics, ATP production, mitochondrial homeostasis, and adaptive stress responses. Exploration of the biological functions of NAD+ has been gaining momentum, providing many crucial insights into the pathophysiology of age-associated functional decline and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we systematically review the key roles of NAD+ precursors and related metabolites in AD models and show how NAD+ affects the pathological hallmarks of AD and the potential mechanisms of action. Advances in understanding the molecular roles of NAD+-based neuronal resilience will result in novel approaches for the treatment of AD and set the stage for determining whether the results of exciting preclinical trials can be translated into the clinic to improve AD patients’ phenotypes.

scholarly journals The genetic landscape for amyloid beta fibril nucleation accurately discriminates familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireia Seuma ◽  
Andre Faure ◽  
Marta Badia ◽  
Ben Lehner ◽  
Benedetta Bolognesi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Beta ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
List Type ◽  
Familial Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Disease Mutations ◽  
Genetic Landscape ◽  
Familial Alzheimer's Disease

AbstractAmyloid fibrils are associated with many human diseases but how mutations alter the propensity of proteins to form fibrils has not been comprehensively investigated and is not well understood. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with amyloid plaques of the amyloid beta (Aß) peptide a pathological hallmark of the disease. Mutations in Aß also cause familial forms of AD (fAD). Here we use deep mutational scanning to quantify the effects of >14,000 mutations on the aggregation of Aß. The resulting genetic landscape reveals fundamental mechanistic insights into fibril nucleation, including the importance of charge and gatekeeper residues in the disordered region outside of the amyloid core in preventing nucleation. Strikingly, unlike computational predictors and previous measurements, the in vivo nucleation scores accurately identify all known dominant fAD mutations, validating this simple cell-based assay as highly relevant to the human genetic disease and suggesting accelerated fibril nucleation is the ultimate cause of fAD. Our results provide the first comprehensive map of how mutations alter the formation of any amyloid fibril and a validated resource for the interpretation of genetic variation in Aß.HighlightsFirst comprehensive map of how mutations alter the propensity of a protein to form amyloid fibrils.Charge and gatekeeper residues in the disordered N-terminus of amyloid beta prevent fibril nucleation.Rates of nucleation in a cell-based assay accurately identify the mutations that cause dominant familial Alzheimer’s disease.The combination of deep mutational scanning and human genetics provides a general strategy to quantify the disease-relevance of in vitro and in vivo assays.

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