alpha-synuclein and Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease classified as both a neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorder. With a complex aetiology and no current cure for ALS, broadening the understanding of disease pathology and therapeutic avenues is required to progress with patient care. Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a hallmark for disease in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. A growing body of evidence now suggests that αSyn may also play a pathological role in ALS, with αSyn-positive Lewy bodies co-aggregating alongside known ALS pathogenic proteins, such as

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Lewy Bodies; Lewy Body Disease; Multiple System Atrophy; Synucleinopathies

Protein misfolding and aggregation is observed in many amyloidogenic diseases affecting either the central nervous system or a variety of peripheral tissues. Structural and dynamic characterization of all species along the pathways from monomers to fibrils is challenging by experimental and computational means because they involve intrinsically disordered proteins in most diseases. Yet understanding how amyloid species become toxic is the challenge in developing a treatment for these diseases. Here we review what computer,

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Islet Amyloid Polypeptide; Models, Molecular; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Proteostasis Deficiencies; Superoxide Dismutase-1; tau Proteins

Most neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the intracellular or extracellular aggregation of misfolded proteins such as amyloid-β and tau in Alzheimer disease, α-synuclein in Parkinson disease, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Accumulating evidence from both human studies and disease models indicates that intercellular transmission and the subsequent templated amplification of these misfolded proteins are involved in the onset and progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. The misfolded proteins that are transferred between cells are referred to as 'pathological seeds'. Recent studies have made exciting progress in identifying the characteristics of different pathological seeds, particularly those isolated from diseased brains. Advances have also been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transmission process, and the influence of the host cell on the conformation and properties of pathological seeds. The aim of this Review is to summarize our current knowledge of the cell-to-cell transmission of pathological proteins and to identify key questions for future investigation.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Axonal Transport; Brain; Cell Communication; DNA-Binding Proteins; Endocytosis; Exosomes; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Huntingtin Protein; Huntington Disease; Membrane Fusion; Nanotubes; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroglia; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Protein Transport; tau Proteins

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), increase as the population ages around the world. Environmental factors also play an important role in most cases. Alcohol consumption exists extensively and it acts as one of the environmental factors that promotes these neurodegenerative diseases. The brain is a major target for the actions of alcohol, and heavy alcohol consumption has long been associated with brain damage. Chronic alcohol intake leads to elevated glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and permanent neuronal damage associated with malnutrition. The relationship and contributing mechanisms of alcohol with these three diseases are different. Epidemiological studies have reported a reduction in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in individuals who drink low amounts of alcohol; low or moderate concentrations of ethanol protect against β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity in hippocampal neurons; and excessive amounts of ethanol increase accumulation of Aβ and Tau phosphorylation. Alcohol has been suggested to be either protective of, or not associated with, PD. However, experimental animal studies indicate that chronic heavy alcohol consumption may have dopamine neurotoxic effects through the induction of Cytochrome P450 2E1 (

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Brain; Cell Line; Disease Progression; Ethanol; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Parkinson Disease; Risk Factors

Amyloids are fibrous cross-β protein aggregates that are capable of proliferation via nucleated polymerization. Amyloid conformation likely represents an ancient protein fold and is linked to various biological or pathological manifestations. Self-perpetuating amyloid-based protein conformers provide a molecular basis for transmissible (infectious or heritable) protein isoforms, termed prions. Amyloids and prions, as well as other types of misfolded aggregated proteins are associated with a variety of devastating mammalian and human diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and transthyretinopathies. In yeast and fungi, amyloid-based prions control phenotypically detectable heritable traits. Simplicity of cultivation requirements and availability of powerful genetic approaches makes yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae an excellent model system for studying molecular and cellular mechanisms governing amyloid formation and propagation. Genetic techniques allowing for the expression of mammalian or human amyloidogenic and prionogenic proteins in yeast enable researchers to capitalize on yeast advantages for characterization of the properties of disease-related proteins. Chimeric constructs employing mammalian and human aggregation-prone proteins or domains, fused to fluorophores or to endogenous yeast proteins allow for cytological or phenotypic detection of disease-related protein aggregation in yeast cells. Yeast systems are amenable to high-throughput screening for antagonists of amyloid formation, propagation and/or toxicity. This review summarizes up to date achievements of yeast assays in application to studying mammalian and human disease-related aggregating proteins, and discusses both limitations and further perspectives of yeast-based strategies.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloidosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Prion Diseases; Prions; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; tau Proteins

Mosaicism, the presence of genomic differences between cells due to post-zygotic somatic mutations, is widespread in the human body, including within the brain. A role for this in neurodegenerative diseases has long been hypothesised, and technical developments are now allowing the question to be addressed in detail. The rapidly accumulating evidence is discussed in this review, with a focus on recent developments. Somatic mutations of numerous types may occur, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy number variants (CNVs), and retrotransposon insertions. They could act as initiators or risk factors, especially if they arise in development, although they could also result from the disease process, potentially contributing to progression. In common sporadic neurodegenerative disorders, relevant mutations have been reported in synucleinopathies, comprising somatic gains of SNCA in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, and in Alzheimer's disease, where a novel recombination mechanism leading to somatic variants of APP, as well as an excess of somatic SNVs affecting tau phosphorylation, have been reported. In Mendelian repeat expansion disorders, mosaicism due to somatic instability, first detected 25 years ago, has come to the forefront. Brain somatic SNVs occur in DNA repair disorders, and there is evidence for a role of several ALS genes in DNA repair. While numerous challenges, and need for further validation, remain, this new, or perhaps rediscovered, area of research has the potential to transform our understanding of neurodegeneration.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; DNA Copy Number Variations; DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders; DNA Repeat Expansion; Humans; Huntington Disease; Mosaicism; Multiple System Atrophy; Mutagenesis, Insertional; Mutation; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Phosphorylation; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Retroelements; Synucleinopathies; tau Proteins

Copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) are redox active metals essential for the regulation of cellular pathways that are fundamental for brain function, including neurotransmitter synthesis and release, neurotransmission, and protein turnover. Cu and Fe are tightly regulated by sophisticated homeostatic systems that tune the levels and localization of these redox active metals. The regulation of Cu and Fe necessitates their coordination to small organic molecules and metal chaperone proteins that restrict their reactions to specific protein centres, where Cu and Fe cycle between reduced (Fe

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Brain; Copper; Humans; Iron; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinson Disease

Several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, are characterized by prominent loss of synapses and neurons associated with the presence of abnormally structured or misfolded protein assemblies. Cell-to-cell transfer of misfolded proteins has been proposed for the intra-cerebral propagation of these diseases. When released, misfolded proteins diffuse in the 3D extracellular space before binding to the plasma membrane of neighboring cells, where they diffuse on a 2D plane. This reduction in diffusion dimension and the cell surface molecular crowding promote deleterious interactions with native membrane proteins, favoring clustering and further aggregation of misfolded protein assemblies. These processes open up new avenues for therapeutics development targeting the initial interactions of deleterious proteins with the plasma membrane or the subsequent pathological signaling.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Cell Membrane; Extracellular Space; Humans; Huntingtin Protein; Huntington Disease; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Prions; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Protein Folding; Protein Transport; Superoxide Dismutase-1; tau Proteins

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease involving the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates by proteins including TDP-43 and SOD1, in affected cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Pathology spreads from an initial site of onset to contiguous anatomical regions. There is evidence that for disease-associated proteins, including TDP-43 and SOD1, non-native protein conformers can promote misfolding of the natively folded counterparts, and cell-to-cell transfer of pathological aggregates may underlie the spread of the disease throughout the CNS. A variety of studies have demonstrated that SOD1 is released by neuron-like cells into the surrounding culture medium, either in their free state or encapsulated in extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Extracellular SOD1 can then be internalised by naïve cells incubated in this conditioned medium, leading to the misfolding and aggregation of endogenous intracellular SOD1; an effect that propagates over serial passages. A similar phenomenon has also been observed with other proteins associated with protein misfolding and progressive neurological disorders, including tau, α-synuclein and both mammalian and yeast prions. Conditioned media experiments using TDP-43 have been less conclusive, with evidence for this protein undergoing intercellular transfer being less straightforward. In this review, we describe the properties of TDP-43 and SOD1 and look at the evidence for their respective abilities to participate in cell-to-cell transfer via conditioned medium, and discuss how variations in the nature of cell-to-cell transfer suggests that a number of different mechanisms are involved in the spreading of pathology in ALS.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Cell Communication; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Proteostasis Deficiencies; Superoxide Dismutase-1

Prion-like propagation of abnormal intracytoplasmic proteins, which are the defining features of major neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been proposed. A growing body of evidence strongly suggests that abnormal tau, α-synuclein and TDP-43 have prion-like properties, convert the corresponding normal proteins into abnormal forms, and are transmitted from cell to cell, spreading throughout the brain. This idea is extremely important not only for understanding the pathogenesis and progression of these diseases, but also for the development of molecular therapies. Since the distributions and spreading of the abnormal proteins are closely associated with disease symptoms and progression, gain-of-toxic-function of these proteins may affect the neurons and glial cells either directly or indirectly, or both. It is essential to regulate the aggregation of abnormal intracellular proteins and their cell-to-cell transmission in order to stop, or at least slow, the progression of these diseases.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Disease Progression; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Prions; tau Proteins

Mammalian cells remove misfolded proteins using various proteolytic systems, including the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS), chaperone mediated autophagy (CMA) and macroautophagy. The majority of misfolded proteins are degraded by the UPS, in which Ub-conjugated substrates are deubiquitinated, unfolded and cleaved into small peptides when passing through the narrow chamber of the proteasome. The substrates that expose a specific degradation signal, the KFERQ sequence motif, can be delivered to and degraded in lysosomes via the CMA. Aggregation-prone substrates resistant to both the UPS and the CMA can be degraded by macroautophagy, in which cargoes are segregated into autophagosomes before degradation by lysosomal hydrolases. Although most misfolded and aggregated proteins in the human proteome can be degraded by cellular protein quality control, some native and mutant proteins prone to aggregation into β-sheet-enriched oligomers are resistant to all known proteolytic pathways and can thus grow into inclusion bodies or extracellular plaques. The accumulation of protease-resistant misfolded and aggregated proteins is a common mechanism underlying protein misfolding disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), prion diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In this review, we provide an overview of the proteolytic pathways in neurons, with an emphasis on the UPS, CMA and macroautophagy, and discuss the role of protein quality control in the degradation of pathogenic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, we examine existing putative therapeutic strategies to efficiently remove cytotoxic proteins from degenerating neurons.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Autophagy; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Huntingtin Protein; Huntington Disease; Lysosomes; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mutation; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Prion Diseases; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Proteolysis; Proteostasis Deficiencies; PrPSc Proteins; Superoxide Dismutase; tau Proteins; Ubiquitin

Parkinson's disease is one of the most frequent progressive degenerative disorders with unknown origin of the nervous system. The commutation of the disease on Guam led to the discovery of a neurotoxin which was also found in other continents. This neurotoxin was identified in the common cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Early clinical observations suggested some loose correlations with gastric and duodenal ulcer and Parkinson's disease, while recent studies revealed a toxin, almost identical to that found in cyanobacteria in one strain of Helicobacter pylori, which proved to cause Parkinson like symptoms in animals. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that there is a slowly progressive poisoning in Parkinson's disease. The disease specific alpha-sinuclein inclusions can be found in nerve cells of the intestinal mucosa far before the appearance of clinical symptoms indicating that the disease may start in the intestines. These results are strengthened by the results of Borody's fecal transplants, after which in Parkinson patients showed a symptomatic improvement. Based on these observations the Parkinson puzzle is getting complete. Although these observations are not evidence based, they may indicate a new way for basic clinical research, as well as a new way of thinking for clinicians. These new observations in psycho-neuro-immunology strengthen the fact that immunological factors may also play a critical factor facilitating local cell necrosis which may be influenced easily.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amino Acids, Diamino; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Chiroptera; Cyanobacteria Toxins; Dementia; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Duodenal Ulcer; Encephalitis; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Feces; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Intestines; Lewy Bodies; Oxidative Stress; Parkinson Disease; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Stomach Ulcer

Classically, Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to dopamine neuron death in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Intracytoplasmic protein inclusions named Lewy bodies, and corresponding Lewy neurites found in neuronal processes, are also key features of the degenerative process in the substantia nigra. The molecular mechanisms by which substantia nigra dopamine neurons die and whether the Lewy pathology is directly involved in the cell death pathway are open questions. More recently, it has become apparent that Lewy pathology gradually involves greater parts of the PD brain and is widespread in late stages. In this review, we first discuss the role of misfolded α-synuclein protein, which is the main constituent of Lewy bodies, in the pathogenesis of PD. We then describe recent evidence that α-synuclein might transfer between cells in PD brains. We discuss in detail the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the proposed propagation and the likely consequences for cells that take up α-synuclein. Finally, we focus on aspects of the pathogenic process that could be targeted with new pharmaceutical therapies or used to develop biomarkers for early PD detection.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cell Death; Dopamine; Humans; Huntington Disease; Lewy Bodies; Mutation; Neurites; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Protein Folding; Protein Transport; Substantia Nigra

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder that afflicts over one million in the U.S.; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) is less prevalent but also has a high incidence. The two disorders sometimes present together, making a comparative study of interest. Both ALS and PD are neurodegenerative diseases, and are characterized by the presence of intraneuronal inclusions; however, different classes of neurons are affected and the primary protein in the inclusions differs between the diseases, and in some cases is different in distinct forms of the same disease. These observations might suggest that the more general approach of proteostasis pathway alteration would be a powerful one in treating these disorders. Examining results from human genetics and studies in model organisms, as well as from biochemical and biophysical characterization of the proteins involved in both diseases, we find that most instances of PD can be considered as arising from the misfolding, and self-association to a toxic species, of the small neuronal protein α-synuclein, and that proteostasis strategies are likely to be of value for this disorder. For ALS, the situation is much more complex and less clear-cut; the available data are most consistent with a view that ALS may actually be a family of disorders, presenting similarly but arising from distinct and nonoverlapping causes, including mislocalization of some properly folded proteins and derangement of RNA quality control pathways. Applying proteostasis approaches to this disease may require rethinking or broadening the concept of what proteostasis means.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; DNA-Binding Proteins; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; Mice; Parkinson Disease; Protein Folding; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Protein Stability; Protein Transport; Proteostasis Deficiencies; RNA-Binding Protein FUS; Superoxide Dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Transactivation response (TAR) DNA-binding protein of Mr 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a major component of the tau-negative and ubiquitin-positive inclusions that characterize amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration which is now referred to as FTLD-TDP. Concurrent TDP-43 pathology has been reported in a variety of other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, forming a group of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Accumulated TDP-43 is characterized by phosphorylation and fragmentation. There is a close relationship between the pathological subtypes of FTLD-TDP and the immunoblot pattern of the C-terminal fragments of phosphorylated TDP-43. These results suggest that proteolytic processing of accumulated TDP-43 may play an important role for the pathological process. In cultured cells, transfected C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 are more prone to form aggregates than full-length TDP-43. Transfecting the C-terminal fragment of TDP-43 harboring pathogenic mutations of TDP-43 gene identified in familial and sporadic ALS cases into cells enhanced the aggregate formation. Furthermore, we found that methylene blue and dimebon inhibit aggregation of TDP-43 in these cellular models. Understanding the mechanism of phosphorylation and truncation of TDP-43 and aggregate formation may be crucial for clarifying the pathogenesis of TDP-43 proteinopathy and for developing useful therapeutics.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Brain; DNA-Binding Proteins; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Phosphorylation

Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are the second and third most common human adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases, respectively, after Alzheimer's disease. They are characterized by prominent age-related neurodegeneration in selectively vulnerable neural systems. Some forms of PD and ALS are inherited, and genes causing these diseases have been identified. Morphological, biochemical, and genetic, as well as cell and animal model, studies reveal that mitochondria could have a role in this neurodegeneration. The functions and properties of mitochondria might render subsets of selectively vulnerable neurons intrinsically susceptible to cellular aging and stress and overlying genetic variations. In PD, mutations in putative mitochondrial proteins have been identified and mitochondrial DNA mutations have been found in neurons in the substantia nigra. In ALS, changes occur in mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes and mitochondrial cell death proteins. Transgenic mouse models of human neurodegenerative disease are beginning to reveal possible principles governing the biology of selective neuronal vulnerability that implicate mitochondria and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. This review will present how mitochondrial pathobiology might contribute to neurodegeneration in PD and ALS and could serve as a target for drug therapy.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; DNA, Mitochondrial; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases; Models, Biological; Mutation; Parkinson Disease; Protein Kinases; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase

The term neurodegenerative disorders, encompasses a variety of underlying conditions, sporadic and/or familial and are characterized by the persistent loss of neuronal subtypes. These disorders can disrupt molecular pathways, synapses, neuronal subpopulations and local circuits in specific brain regions, as well as higher-order neural networks. Abnormal network activities may result in a vicious cycle, further impairing the integrity and functions of neurons and synapses, for example, through aberrant excitation or inhibition. The most common neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's disease. The molecular features of these disorders have been extensively researched and various unique neurotherapeutic interventions have been developed. However, there is an enormous coercion to integrate the existing knowledge in order to intensify the reliability with which neurodegenerative disorders can be diagnosed and treated. The objective of this review article is therefore to assimilate these disorders' in terms of their neuropathology, neurogenetics, etiology, trends in pharmacological treatment, clinical management, and the use of innovative neurotherapeutic interventions.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Anticonvulsants; Antipsychotic Agents; Cholinergic Antagonists; Dopamine Agents; Humans; Huntingtin Protein; Huntington Disease; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; tau Proteins

Recent literature has ushered in a new awareness of the diverse post-translational events that can influence protein folding and function. Among these modifications, protein nitration is thought to play a critical role in the onset and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. While previously considered a late-stage epiphenomenon, nitration of protein tyrosine residues appears to be an early event in the lesions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The advent of highly specific biochemical and immunological detection methods reveals that nitration occurs in vivo with biological selectively and site specificity. In fact, nitration of only a single Tyr residue is often sufficient to induce profound changes in the activity of catalytic proteins and the three-dimensional conformation of structural proteins. Presumably, nitration modifies protein function by altering the hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic properties within the targeted protein. Most importantly, however, nitrative injury may represent a unifying mechanism that explains how genetic and environmental causes of neurological disease manifest a singular phenotype. In this review and synthesis, we first examine the pathways of protein nitration in biological systems and the factors that influence site-directed nitration. Subsequently, we turn our attention to the structural implications of site-specific nitration and how it affects the function of several neurodegeneration-related proteins. These proteins include Mn superoxide dismutase and neurofilament light subunit in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, alpha-synuclein and tyrosine hydroxylase in Parkinson's disease, and tau in Alzheimer's disease.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Humans; Nitrates; Parkinson Disease; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Superoxide Dismutase; tau Proteins; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

A variety of gene mutations can cause familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutations in the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) cause PD. Mutations in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) cause ALS. The mechanisms of human mutant a-Syn and SOD1 toxicity to neurons are not known. Transgenic (tg) mice expressing human mutant alpha-Syn or SOD1 develop profound fatal neurologic disease characterized by progressive motor deficits, paralysis, and neurodegeneration. Ala-53-->Thr (A53T)-mutant alpha-Syn and Gly-93-->Ala (G93A)-mutant SOD1 tg mice develop prominent mitochondrial abnormalities. Interestingly, although nigral neurons in A53T mice are relatively preserved, spinal motor neurons (MNs) undergo profound degeneration. In A53T mice, mitochondria degenerate in neurons, and complex IV activity is reduced. Furthermore, mitochondria in neurons develop DNA breaks and have p53 targeted to the outer membrane. Nitrated a-Syn accumulates in degenerating MNs in A53T mice. mSOD1 mouse MNs accumulate mitochondria from the axon terminals and generate higher levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species than MNs in control mice. mSOD1 mouse MNs accumulate DNA single-strand breaks prior to double-strand breaks occurring in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Nitrated and aggregated cytochrome c oxidase subunit-I and nitrated SOD2 accumulate in mSOD1 mouse spinal cord. Mitochondria in mSOD1 mouse MNs accumulate NADPH diaphorase and inducible NOS (iNOS)-like immunoreactivity, and iNOS gene deletion significantly extends the lifespan of G93A-mSOD1 mice. Mitochondrial changes develop long before symptoms emerge. These experiments reveal that mitochondrial nitrative stress and perturbations in mitochondrial trafficking may be antecedents of neuronal cell death in animal models of PD and ALS.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Cell Death; Humans; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Mitochondria; Motor Neurons; Mutation; Nerve Degeneration; Parkinson Disease; Superoxide Dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1

The involvement of alpha-synuclein in neurodegenerative diseases was first suspected after the isolation of an alpha-synuclein fragment (NAC) from amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Later, two different alpha-synuclein mutations were shown to be associated with autosomal-dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), but only in a small number of families. However, the discovery that alpha-synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the pathological hallmarks of PD, confirmed its role in PD pathogenesis. Pathological aggregation of the protein might be responsible for neurodegeneration. In addition, soluble oligomers of alpha-synuclein might be even more toxic than the insoluble fibrils found in Lewy bodies. Multiple factors have been shown to accelerate alpha-synuclein aggregation in vitro. Therapeutic strategies aimed to prevent this aggregation are therefore envisaged. Although little has been learned about its normal function, alpha-synuclein appears to interact with a variety of proteins and membrane phospholipids, and may therefore participate in a number of signaling pathways. In particular, it may play a role in regulating cell differentiation, synaptic plasticity, cell survival, and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Thus, pathological mechanisms based on disrupted normal function are also possible.

Topics: 14-3-3 Proteins; alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Cell Differentiation; Cell Survival; Dopamine; Humans; Molecular Chaperones; Multiple System Atrophy; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Synucleins; tau Proteins; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Humans; Lewy Bodies; Multienzyme Complexes; Multiple System Atrophy; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Synucleins; Ubiquitins

The aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins is often related to the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases, including fused in sarcoma protein (FUS) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diseases. Recently, the SERF protein family has been reported to have a significant regulatory effect on amyloid formation, but it is still unclear about the detailed mechanisms of SERF acting on different amyloidogenic proteins. Herein, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to explore interactions of ScSERF with three amyloidogenic proteins FUS-LC, FUS-Core, and α-Synuclein. NMR chemical shift perturbations reveal them sharing similar interaction sites on the N-terminal region of ScSERF. However, the amyloid formation of α-Synuclein protein is accelerated by ScSERF, while ScSERF inhibits fibrosis of FUS-Core and FUS-LC proteins. Both the primary nucleation and the total amount of fibrils produced are detained. Our results suggest a diverse role of ScSERF in regulating the fibril growth of amyloidogenic proteins.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyloid; Amyloidogenic Proteins; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration; Humans

The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS-PDC) of Guam is an endemic neurodegenerative disease that features widespread tau tangles, occasional α-synuclein Lewy bodies, and sparse β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques distributed in the central nervous system. Extensive studies of genetic or environmental factors have failed to identify a cause of ALS-PDC. Building on prior work describing the detection of tau and Aβ prions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome brains, we investigated ALS-PDC brain samples for the presence of prions. We obtained postmortem frozen brain tissue from 26 donors from Guam with ALS-PDC or no neurological impairment and 71 non-Guamanian donors with AD or no neurological impairment. We employed cellular bioassays to detect the prion conformers of tau, α-synuclein, and Aβ proteins in brain extracts. In ALS-PDC brain samples, we detected high titers of tau and Aβ prions, but we did not detect α-synuclein prions in either cohort. The specific activity of tau and Aβ prions was increased in Guam ALS-PDC compared with sporadic AD. Applying partial least squares regression to all biochemical and prion infectivity measurements, we demonstrated that the ALS-PDC cohort has a unique molecular signature distinguishable from AD. Our findings argue that Guam ALS-PDC is a distinct double-prion disorder featuring both tau and Aβ prions.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Dementia; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinsonian Disorders; Prion Diseases; Prions; tau Proteins

In Parkinson's disease with dementia, up to 50% of patients develop a high number of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles. Tau-based pathologies may thus act synergistically with the α-synuclein pathology to confer a worse prognosis. A better understanding of the relationship between the two distinct pathologies is therefore required. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins has recently been shown to be important for protein aggregation involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, whereas tau phase separation has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. We therefore investigated the interaction of α-synuclein with tau and its consequences on tau LLPS. We find α-synuclein to have a low propensity for both, self-coacervation and RNA-mediated LLPS at pH 7.4. However, full-length but not carboxy-terminally truncated α-synuclein efficiently partitions into tau/RNA droplets. We further demonstrate that Cdk2-phosphorylation promotes the concentration of tau into RNA-induced droplets, but at the same time decreases the amount of α-synuclein inside the droplets. NMR spectroscopy reveals that the interaction of the carboxy-terminal domain of α-synuclein with the proline-rich region P2 of tau is required for the recruitment of α-synuclein into tau droplets. The combined data suggest that the concentration of α-synuclein into tau-associated condensates can contribute to synergistic aSyn/tau pathologies.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Recombinant Proteins; tau Proteins

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Bacterial Proteins; Clinical Trials as Topic; Depression; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Interleukin-17; Limosilactobacillus reuteri; Mice; Niacinamide; Parkinson Disease; Pregnancy; Stroke; Th17 Cells; Vagus Nerve

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Brain; Cycas; Humans; Methylazoxymethanol Acetate; Mice; Mutagens; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Signal Transduction; Ubiquitin

Objective diagnostic biomarkers are needed to support a clinical diagnosis.. To analyze markers in various neurodegenerative disorders to identify diagnostic biomarker candidates for mainly α-synuclein (aSyn)-related disorders (ASRD) in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).. Upon initial testing of commercially available kits or published protocols for the quantification of the candidate markers, assays for the following were selected: total and phosphorylated aSyn (pS129aSyn), neurofilament light chain (NfL), phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH), tau protein (tau), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), calcium-binding protein B (S100B), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM-2), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40). The cohort comprised participants with Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 151), multiple system atrophy (MSA, n = 17), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB, n = 45), tau protein-related neurodegenerative disorders (n = 80, comprising patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP, n = 38), corticobasal syndrome (CBS, n = 16), Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 11), and frontotemporal degeneration/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS, n = 15), as well as healthy controls (HC, n = 20). Receiver operating curves (ROC) with area under the curves (AUC) are given for each marker.. CSF total aSyn was decreased. NfL, pNfH, UCHL-1, GFAP, S100B, and sTREM-2 were increased in patients with neurodegenerative disease versus HC (P < 0.05). As expected, some of the markers were highest in AD (i.e., UCHL-1, GFAP, S100B, sTREM-2, YKL-40). Within ASRD, CSF NfL levels were higher in MSA than PD and DLB (P < 0.05). Comparing PD to HC, interesting serum markers were S100B (AUC: 0.86), sTREM2 (AUC: 0.87), and NfL (AUC: 0.78). CSF S100B and serum GFAP were highest in DLB.. Levels of most marker candidates tested in serum and CSF significantly differed between disease groups and HC. In the stratification of PD versus other tau- or aSyn-related conditions, CSF NfL levels best discriminated PD and MSA. CSF S100B and serum GFAP best discriminated PD and DLB. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Biomarkers; Frontotemporal Dementia; Humans; Multiple System Atrophy; tau Proteins

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a crucial phenomenon for the formation of functional membraneless organelles. However, LLPS is also responsible for protein aggregation in various neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, several reports, including ours, have shown that α-synuclein (α-Syn) undergoes LLPS and a subsequent liquid-to-solid phase transition, which leads to amyloid fibril formation. However, how the environmental (and experimental) parameters modulate the α-Syn LLPS remains elusive. Here, we show that in vitro α-Syn LLPS is strongly dependent on the presence of salts, which allows charge neutralization at both terminal segments of protein and therefore promotes hydrophobic interactions supportive for LLPS. Using various purification methods and experimental conditions, we showed, depending upon conditions, α-Syn undergoes either spontaneous (instantaneous) or delayed LLPS. Furthermore, we delineate that the kinetics of liquid droplet formation (i.e., the critical concentration and critical time) is relative and can be modulated by the salt/counterion concentration, pH, presence of surface, PD-associated multivalent cations, and N-terminal acetylation, which are all known to regulate α-Syn aggregation in vitro. Together, our observations suggest that α-Syn LLPS and subsequent liquid-to-solid phase transition could be pathological, which can be triggered only under disease-associated conditions (high critical concentration and/or conditions promoting α-Syn self-assembly). This study will significantly improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of α-Syn LLPS and the liquid-to-solid transition.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Kinetics; Parkinson Disease; Phase Transition; Protein Aggregation, Pathological

The most common neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are known to be protein-misfolding diseases, and characterized by the presence of disease-specific protein aggregates in neuronal and glial cells. Recently, the propagation hypothesis of prion-like protein inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases has been proposed. Many studies have shown that aggregation-prone proteins such as tau, alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 can form aggregates in a seed-dependent and self-templating prion-like manner, and these aggregates can be transferred intercellularly to neighboring cells and seeded for further aggregation. Propagation of aggregated proteins in these diseases may therefore occur through mechanisms similar to those that underlie prion pathogenesis. If this hypothesis is verified in vivo, it will suggest new therapeutic strategies to block the propagation of aggregated proteins throughout the brain.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Prion Diseases; Prions; tau Proteins

The high incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) has been previously known in the Kii Peninsula of Japan and in Guam. Recently, the accumulation of various proteins, such as tau, trans-activation response DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43), and alpha-synuclein (αSyn), was reported in the brains of patients with ALS/PDC in Guam. To confirm whether similar findings are present in Kii ALS/PDC, we neuropathologically examined the brains and spinal cords of 18 patients with ALS/PDC (clinical diagnoses: eight ALS and 10 PDC) in Hohara Village, which is the eastern focus of Kii ALS. The average age at death was 71.6 years, and 16 patients (88.9%) had a family history of ALS/PDC. Autopsy specimens were immunohistochemically examined with antibodies against four major proteins. Neurofibrillary tangles, including ghost tangles, and tau-positive astrocytes were distributed widely in all of the brains examined, and TDP-43-positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions were observed mainly in the limbic system. Synuclein pathology was present in 14 patients (77.8%). These patients were classified into three pathological subtypes according to the most prominent proteinopathy: the tauopathy-dominant type, the TDP-43 proteinopathy-dominant type, and the synucleinopathy-dominant type. Five patients with severe tau deposition showed clinical features of atypical parkinsonism and dementia with or without motor neuron disease. Eight patients were predominated by phosphorylated TDP-43 inclusions and clinically showed ALS, and five patients were predominated by synuclein pathology and clinically showed signs of PDC. Based on the common characteristic tau pathology, three subtypes seemed to be pathologically continuous on a spectrum of a single disease. Thus, we conclude that ALS/PDC in the Hohara focus of the Kii Peninsula is a single disease characterized neuropathologically by a multiple proteinopathy, even though the clinical manifestations of the three subtypes differed from each other. It remains unclear whether the coexistence of the three proteinopathies was incidental or pathogenetically related.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Neurofibrillary Tangles

Optineurin (OPTN) is a causative gene in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with transactivation response element DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) protein pathology. Here, we report multiple proteinopathies in familial ALS cases with OPTN mutations. We examined the TDP-43, tau, and α-synuclein pathology of ALS cases with OPTN mutations including 2 previously reported cases (Cases 1 and 2) and 1 newly autopsied case (Case 3) that was clinically diagnosed as ALS and Parkinson disease with a heterozygous E478G OPTN mutation. Pathologic examination of Case 3 showed motor neuron degeneration and depigmentation of the substantia nigra. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) were seen in the hippocampus, pontine tegmentum, and spinal cord. Accumulation of multiple proteins including phosphorylated TDP-43-positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, phosphorylated tau (AT8)-positive NFTs, and α-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies were observed in the substantia nigra. The other 2 cases had a similar distribution of tau pathology, but lacked synuclein pathology. Consecutive sections of Case 3 revealed pTDP-43, AT8, and α-synuclein-positive inclusions in the same neuron and double immunofluorescence staining showed aggregation of different proteins (tau and α-synuclein, or tau and TDP-43) in the same neuron. Our results support the notion that OPTN mutations may lead to multiple proteins aggregation and neuronal degeneration.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Autopsy; Brain; Cell Cycle Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Membrane Transport Proteins; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neurofibrillary Tangles; tau Proteins; Transcription Factor TFIIIA

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by accumulation of insoluble aggregates of phosphorylated 43 kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and linked with abnormal expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat in an intron of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72). However, the relationship between C9ORF72 mutations and TDP-43 aggregation remains unknown. Non-ATG-dependent translation of C9ORF72 repeats produces dipeptide repeat proteins, which form p62-positive aggregates in cerebral cortex and cerebellum of patients. Here, we show that the formation of poly-GA protein inclusions induced intracellular aggregation of endogenous and exogenous TDP-43 in cultured cells. Poly-GA aggregation preceded accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43. These inclusions induced intracellular aggregation of phosphorylated TDP-43, but not tau or α-synuclein. Formation of phosphorylated TDP-43 aggregates depends on the number of poly-GA repeats. Detergent-insoluble fraction from cells co-expressing poly-GA and TDP-43 could function as seeds for further TDP-43 aggregation. These findings suggest a novel pathogenic mechanism that poly-GA protein aggregation directly promotes pathogenic changes of TDP-43 without the formation of nuclear RNA foci containing GGGGCC repeat expansion or loss-of-function of the C9ORF72 protein.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; C9orf72 Protein; Cells, Cultured; Dipeptides; DNA Repeat Expansion; DNA-Binding Proteins; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration; Humans; Phosphorylation; Polyglutamic Acid; Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid; tau Proteins

Lewy bodies commonly occur in Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease pathology is frequent in Lewy body diseases, but the burden of co-pathologies across neurodegenerative diseases is unknown. We assessed the extent of tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein and TDP-43 proteinopathies in 766 autopsied individuals representing a broad spectrum of clinical neurodegenerative disease. We interrogated pathological Alzheimer's disease (n = 247); other tauopathies (n = 95) including Pick's disease, corticobasal disease and progressive supranuclear palsy; the synucleinopathies (n = 164) including multiple system atrophy and Lewy body disease; the TDP-43 proteinopathies (n = 188) including frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and a minimal pathology group (n = 72). Each group was divided into subgroups without or with co-pathologies. Age and sex matched logistic regression models compared co-pathology prevalence between groups. Co-pathology prevalence was similar between the minimal pathology group and most neurodegenerative diseases for each proteinopathy: tau was nearly universal (92-100%), amyloid-β common (20-57%); α-synuclein less common (4-16%); and TDP-43 the rarest (0-16%). In several neurodegenerative diseases, co-pathology increased: in Alzheimer's disease, α-synuclein (41-55%) and TDP-43 (33-40%) increased; in progressive supranuclear palsy, α-synuclein increased (22%); in corticobasal disease, TDP-43 increased (24%); and in neocortical Lewy body disease, amyloid-β (80%) and TDP-43 (22%) increased. Total co-pathology prevalence varied across groups (27-68%), and was increased in high Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and neocortical Lewy body disease (70-81%). Increased age at death was observed in the minimal pathology group, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple system atrophy cases with co-pathologies. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neocortical Lewy body disease, co-pathologies associated with APOE ɛ4. Lewy body disease cases with Alzheimer's disease co-pathology had substantially lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores than pure Lewy body disease. Our data imply that increased age and APOE ɛ4 status are risk factors for co-pathologies independent of neurodegenerative disease; that neurodegenerative disease severity influences co-pathology as evidenced by the prevalence of co-pathology in high Alzheimer's disease and neocortical Lewy body disease, but not intermediate

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Apolipoprotein E4; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Lewy Bodies; Lewy Body Disease; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pick Disease of the Brain; Prevalence; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive; tau Proteins; Tauopathies; TDP-43 Proteinopathies

The term "motor neuron disease" encompasses a spectrum of disorders in which motor neurons are the primary pathological target. However, in both patients and animal models of these diseases, not all motor neurons are equally vulnerable, in that while some motor neurons are lost very early in disease, others remain comparatively intact, even at late stages. This creates a valuable system to investigate the factors that regulate motor neuron vulnerability. In this study, we aim to use this experimental paradigm to identify potential transcriptional modifiers. We have compared the transcriptome of motor neurons from healthy wild-type mice, which are differentially vulnerable in the childhood motor neuron disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and have identified 910 transcriptional changes. We have compared this data set with published microarray data sets on other differentially vulnerable motor neurons. These neurons were differentially vulnerable in the adult onset motor neuron disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but the screen was performed on the equivalent population of neurons from neurologically normal human, rat and mouse. This cross species comparison has generated a refined list of differentially expressed genes, including CELF5, Col5a2, PGEMN1, SNCA, Stmn1 and HOXa5, alongside a further enrichment for synaptic and axonal transcripts. As an in vivo validation, we demonstrate that the manipulation of a significant number of these transcripts can modify the neurodegenerative phenotype observed in a Drosophila line carrying an ALS causing mutation. Finally, we demonstrate that vector-mediated expression of alpha-synuclein (SNCA), a transcript decreased in selectively vulnerable motor neurons in all four screens, can extend life span, increase weight and decrease neuromuscular junction pathology in a mouse model of SMA. In summary, we have combined multiple data sets to identify transcripts, which are strong candidates for being phenotypic modifiers, and demonstrated SNCA is a modifier of pathology in motor neuron disease.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Axons; Disease Models, Animal; Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Mice; Motor Neuron Disease; Motor Neurons; Muscle, Skeletal; Neuromuscular Junction; Phenotype; Rats; Transcriptome

The cell-to-cell transmission of protein aggregates has been implicated in the progression of pathological phenotypes in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In recent years, several experimental model systems have been developed to study the mechanisms of cell-to-cell transmission. Herein, we describe cell culture models with which cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein can be quantitatively analyzed. The principle underlying these models could be applied to developing model systems for transmission of other protein aggregates, such as tau and TDP-43.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cell Culture Techniques; Humans; Molecular Biology; Parkinson Disease; Protein Aggregation, Pathological

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Brain; C9orf72 Protein; Chronic Pain; Epilepsy; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Mental Disorders; Neuralgia; Neurobiology; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Proteins; tau Proteins; Tauopathies

Aggregation of misfolded disease-related proteins is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Aggregate propagation accompanying disease progression has been demonstrated for different proteins (eg, for α-synuclein). Additional evidence supports aggregate cross-seeding activity for α-synuclein. For mutated superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which causes familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), self-propagation of aggregation and cell-to-cell transmission have been demonstrated in vitro. However, there is a prominent lack of in vivo data concerning aggregation and cross-aggregation processes of SOD1. We analyzed the effect of α-synuclein and SOD1 seeds in cell culture using protein fragment complementation assay and intracerebral injection of α-synuclein and SOD1 seeds into SOD1(G93A) transgenic ALS mice. Survival of injected mice was determined, and SOD1 aggregates in the facial nuclei were quantified during disease course. We found that α-synuclein preformed fibrils increased the oligomerization rate of SOD1 in vivo and in vitro, whereas aggregated SOD1 did not exert any effect in both experimental setups. Notably, survival of ALS mice was not changed after inoculation of preformed fibrils. We conclude that misfolded α-synuclein can increase SOD1 aggregation and suppose that α-synuclein seeds are transported from the temporal cortex to the facial nuclei. However, unlike other proteins, the further enhancement of a self-aggregation process by additional SOD1 could not be confirmed in our models.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Superoxide Dismutase-1

Evaluation of motor deficits in rodents is mostly restricted to limb motor tests that are often high stressors for the animals.. To test rodents for orofacial motor impairments in a stress-free environment, we established the pasta gnawing test by measuring the biting noise of mice that eat a piece of spaghetti. Two parameters were evaluated, the biting speed and the biting peaks per biting episode. To evaluate the power of this test compared to commonly used limb motor and muscle strength tests, three mouse models of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Niemann-Pick disease were tested in the pasta gnawing test, RotaRod and wire suspension test.. Our results show that the pasta gnawing test reliably displays orofacial motor deficits.. The test is especially useful as additional motor test in early onset disease models, since it shows first deficits later than the RotaRod or wire suspension test. The test depends on a voluntary eating behavior of the animal with only a short-time food deprivation and should thus be stress-free.. The pasta gnawing test represents a valuable tool to analyze orofacial motor deficits in different early onset disease models.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Craniofacial Abnormalities; Disease Models, Animal; DNA-Binding Proteins; Exercise Test; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Mastication; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Motor Activity; Muscle Strength; Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; Niemann-Pick Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Proteins; Psychomotor Performance; Reaction Time; Rotarod Performance Test; Statistics, Nonparametric

Sirtuin deacetylases regulate diverse cellular pathways and influence disease processes. Our previous studies identified the brain-enriched sirtuin-2 (SIRT2) deacetylase as a potential drug target to counteract neurodegeneration. In the present study, we characterize SIRT2 inhibition activity of the brain-permeable compound AK7 and examine the efficacy of this small molecule in models of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cerebral ischemia. Our results demonstrate that AK7 is neuroprotective in models of Parkinson's disease; it ameliorates alpha-synuclein toxicity in vitro and prevents 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopamine depletion and dopaminergic neuron loss in vivo. The compound does not show beneficial effects in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cerebral ischemia. These findings underscore the specificity of protective effects observed here in models of Parkinson's disease, and previously in Huntington's disease, and support the development of SIRT2 inhibitors as potential therapeutics for the two neurodegenerative diseases.

Topics: 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Benzamides; Brain Ischemia; Cell Line; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Male; Mice; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinson Disease; Sirtuin 2; Small Molecule Libraries; Sulfonamides

The polymorphisms of α-synuclein (SNCA), rs3775444, rs3822086 and rs11931074 that are strongly associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Caucasian populations, were examined in this study to elucidate the role of polymorphisms in different ethnic backgrounds. The possible associations of these three polymorphisms were also investigated in PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) in a Chinese population based on the overlapping of clinical manifestations and pathological characteristics of these three neurodegenerative diseases.. A total of 1276 PD, 885 sporadic ALS (SALS), 364 MSA patients, and 846 healthy controls (HCs) were included. All subjects were genotyped for the three polymorphisms using Sequenom iPLEX Assay technology.. Significant differences in the genotype distributions (p = 5.99E-06 and p = 4.98E-06, respectively) and the minor allele frequency (MAF) (p = 2.16E-06 and p = 2.15E-06, respectively) of SNCA rs3822086 (C) and rs11931074 (G) were observed between PD and HCs. However, no differences were found in the genotype distributions and MAF of SNCA rs3775444 (T) between PD and HCs. Haplotype that incorporated the three SNPs further strengthened the association with PD (best haplotype, p = 9.62E-005). No significant differences in the genotype distributions and MAF of the SNPs were found between SALS and HCs, MSA and HCs, and subgroups of PD and SALS. However, the MAF of SNCA rs3775444 (T) was significantly higher in MSA patients with frontal lobe dysfunction than MSA patients without dysfunction (p = 0.0002, OR 2.53, 95%CI: 1.55-4.15).. Our results suggest that the rs3822086 (C) allele and rs11931074 (G) allele in SNCA decrease the risk for PD, and SNCA rs11931074 may affect frontal lobe dysfunction of MSA in the Chinese population. However, these SNCA polymorphisms are not likely a common cause of SALS or MSA.

Topics: Aged; Alleles; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Anxiety; Case-Control Studies; China; Depression; Female; Frontal Lobe; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Parkinson Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are both neurodegenerative diseases leading to impaired execution of movement. α-Synuclein plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PD whereas Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a key player in a subset of familial ALS cases. Under pathological conditions both α-synuclein and SOD1 form oligomers and fibrils. In this study we investigated the possible molecular interaction of α-synuclein and SOD1 and its functional and pathological relevance.. Using a protein-fragment complementation approach and co-IP, we found that α-synuclein and SOD1 physically interact in living cells, human erythrocytes and mouse brain tissue. Additionally, our data show that disease related mutations in α-synuclein (A30P, A53T) and SOD1 (G85R, G93A) modify the binding of α-synuclein to SOD1. Notably, α-synuclein accelerates SOD1 oligomerization independent of SOD1 activity.. This study provides evidence for a novel interaction of α-synuclein and SOD1 that might be relevant for neurodegenerative diseases.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Brain; Humans; Mice, Transgenic; Mutation; Parkinson Disease; Protein Multimerization; Superoxide Dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1

To investigate histopathology and proteinopathy in the spinal cord of patients with common neurodegenerative diseases.. Spinal cord tissues from clinically and neuropathologically confirmed neruodegnerative diseases were enrolled in this study, including 3 cases of multiple system strophy, 4 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 5 cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD, included 2 cases of AD combined with Parkinson's disease), 2 cases of progressive supranuclear palsy, 1 case of dementia with lewy body and 1 case of corticobasal degeneration from 1955 to 2013 at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. Four normal control cases were also included. Routine HE and Gallyas-Braak staining, and immunohistochemical stainings for anti-PHF tau (AT8), anti-α-synuclein, anti-TDP-43 and anti-ubiquitin were performed.. Examination of the spinal cord in 3 cases with multiple system strophy revealed severe neuron loss in the intermediolateral nucleus of thoracic segment and Onuf's nucleus of the sacral segment, along with moderate neuron loss in the anterior horn of the cervical segment and mild myelin pallor in the anterior funiculus and anterolateral funiculus in the cervical and thoracic segments. Large amount of argentophilic, ubiquitin and synuclein positive oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions were found widely distributed in the anterior horn and the anterior funiculus and anterolateral funiculus of the full spinal cord. Severe neuron loss and several morphological changes with gliosis in the anterior horn and severe loss of myelin in the anterior funiculus and anterolateral funiculus of the full spinal cord were observed in 4 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 2 of which were found with Bunina bodies in neurons of the anterior horn. Three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases had ubiquitin-positive neuronal inclusions and TDP-43 positive neuronal and glial inclusions in the anterior horn at cervical and lumbar segments. A few argentophilic, tau positive neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads in the anterior horn at cervical and lumbar segments were found in 4 AD cases. Examination of spinal cord in 2 cases with Parkinson's disease combined with AD and 1 case with dementia with lewy body revealed severe neuron loss in the intermediolateral nucleus of thoracic segment, and a few synuclein positive lewy bodies and neuritis were also observed. There was mild neuron loss in the anterior horn at cervical and lumbar segments, along with some argentophilic, tau positive globous NFTs and many argentophilic, tau positive neutrophil threads were observed in 2 progressive supranuclear palsy cases and 1 corticobasal degeneration case.. Each common neurodegenerative diseases of the spinal cord including multiple system strophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease has its own specific histopathology and proteinopathy characteristics.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurofibrillary Tangles; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Spinal Cord; Ubiquitin

A 74-year-old man gradually developed muscular weakness in the upper extremities, followed by dyspnea and dysarthria over a 6-month period. He was admitted to our facility and diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on clinical and neurophysiological findings. Two months later, transtracheal positive pressure ventilation (TPPV) was started. During his clinical course, orthostatic hypotension occurred a few times. He also had two episodes of transient cardiac arrest, and he died 15 months after disease onset. At autopsy, the brain, weighing 850 g, showed diffuse cortical atrophy, preferentially involving the frontal lobes. Microscopic findings included severe loss of neurons in the motor cortex, the motor nuclei of the brainstem and the anterior horns of the spinal cord, and mild loss of axons and myelin in the corticospinal tract. Trans-activation response DNA protein 43 (TDP-43) immunoreactive cytoplasmic inclusions, the pathognomonic findings for ALS, were noted in the nucleus facialis, nucleus ambiguus, and in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. In addition, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites were found in the brainstem and in the nucleus intermediolateralis of the thoracic cord. The concomitant alpha-synuclein pathology may have been partly related to possible autonomic dysfunction underlying the two episodes of cardiac arrest.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Autopsy; Brain; DNA-Binding Proteins; Fatal Outcome; Heart Arrest; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Immunohistochemistry; Lewy Bodies; Male

Basophilic inclusions (BIs) and neuronal intermediate filament inclusions (NIFIs) are key structures of basophilic inclusion body disease and neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease (NIFID), respectively. BIs are sharply-defined, oval or crescent neuronal intracytoplasmic inclusions that appear pale blue-gray in color with HE staining and purple in color with Nissl but are stained poorly with silver impregnation techniques. Immunohistochemically BIs are negative for tau, trans-activation response DNA 43 (TDP-43), α-synuclein, neurofilament (NF) and α-internexin, positive for p62, and variably ubiquitinated. Noticeably, BIs are consistently fused in sarcoma (FUS) positive. NIFIs are by definition immuno-positive for class IV IFs including three NF triplet subunit proteins and α-internexin but negative for tau, TDP-43, and α-synuclein. In NIFID cases several types of inclusions have been identified. Among them, hyaline conglomerate-like inclusions are the only type that meets the above immunohistochemical features of NIFIs. This type of inclusion appears upon HE staining as multilobulated, faintly eosinophilic or pale amphophilic spherical masses with a glassy appearance. These hyaline conglomerates appear strongly argyrophilic, and robustly and consistently immuno-positive for IFs. In contrast, this type of inclusion shows no or only occasional dot-like FUS immunoreactivity. Therefore, BIs and NIFIs are distinct from each other in terms of morphological, tinctorial and immunohistochemical features. However, basophilic inclusion body disease (BIBD) and NIFID are difficult to differentiate clinically. Moreover, Pick body-like inclusions, the predominant type of inclusions seen in NIFID, are considerably similar to the BIs of BIBD in that this type of inclusion is basophilic, poorly argyrophilic, negative for IFs and intensely immuno-positive for FUS. As BIBD and NIFID share FUS accumulation as the most prominent molecular pathology, whether these two diseases are discrete entities or represent a pathological continuum remains a question to be answered.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; DNA-Binding Proteins; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Intermediate Filaments; Neurofilament Proteins; Neurons; tau Proteins

We examined the phosphorylated 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43) inclusions as well as neuronal loss in full-length spinal cords and five selected regions of the central nervous system from 36 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 10 age-matched normal controls. The most severe neuronal loss and pTDP-43 lesions were seen in lamina IX motor nuclei columns 4, 6, and 8 of lower cervical segments and in columns 9-11 of lumbosacral segments. Severity of pTDP-43 pathology and neuronal loss correlated closely with gray and white matter oligodendroglial involvement and was linked to onset of disease, with severe involvement of columns 4, 6, and 8 of upper extremity onset cases and severe involvement of columns of 9, 10, and 11 in cases with lower extremity onset. Severe TDP-43 lesions and neuronal loss were observed in stage 4 cases and sometimes included Onuf's nucleus. Notably, three cases displayed pTDP-43 aggregates in the midbrain oculomotor nucleus, which we had not seen previously even in cases with advanced (i.e., stage 4) pathology. pTDP-43 aggregates were observed in neurons of Clarke's column in 30.6 % of cases but rarely in the intermediolateral nucleus (IML). Gray matter oligodendroglial pTDP-43 inclusions were present in areas devoid of neuronal pTDP-43 aggregates and neuronal loss. Taken together, our findings indicate that (1) the dorsolateral motor nuclei columns of the cervical and lumbosacral anterior horn may be the earliest foci of pTDP-43 pathology in the spinal cord, (2) gray matter oligodendroglial involvement is an early event in the ALS disease process that possibly heralds subsequent involvement of neurons by pTDP-43 pathology, and (3) in some very advanced cases, there is oculomotor nucleus involvement, which may constitute an additional neuropathological stage (designated here as stage 5) of pTDP-43 pathology in ALS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Case-Control Studies; Cell Death; Claudins; Cohort Studies; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; Spinal Cord; Statistics, Nonparametric; tau Proteins

Previous studies found that polymorphisms rs2736990 and rs356220 in the alpha-synuclein (SNCA) gene increase the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) in a Caucasian population. In consideration of the overlapping of clinical manifestations and pathologic characteristics among PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), the possible associations of these 2 polymorphisms and 3 neurodegenerative diseases were studied in the Chinese population. A total of 1011 PD, 778 sporadic ALS (SALS), 264 MSA patients, and 721 healthy controls (HCs) were studied. All subjects were genotyped for the 2 polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Significant differences in the genotype frequencies (p = 0.0188 and 0.0064, respectively) and minor allele frequencies (MAFs) (p = 0.0065 and 0.0095, respectively) of rs2736990 and rs356220 were observed between the PD patients and HCs. Moreover, significant differences were found between the early-onset PD patients (<50 years) and matched controls but not in the late-onset PD patients (≥50 years). However, no differences were observed between subgroups with regard to clinical features, such as sex, onset symptoms (tremor or rigidity), cognition (normal or abnormal), and anxiety and depression (presence or absence). No significant differences were found in the genotype frequencies and MAFs of these 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms between SALS patients and HCs and between MSA patients and HCs. No significant differences were found between subgroups with regard to the clinical presentation of SALS and MSA. Our results show that rs2736990 and rs356220 in SNCA decreased the risk for PD in a Chinese population. These candidate polymorphisms were unlikely to be the causes of SALS and MSA in this population.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Asian People; Female; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Parkinson Disease; Polymorphism, Genetic; Risk Factors

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease characterized clinically by motor symptoms including limb weakness, dysarthria, dysphagia, and respiratory compromise, and pathologically by inclusions of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also may demonstrate non-motor symptoms and signs of autonomic and energy dysfunction as hypermetabolism and weight loss that suggest the possibility of pathology in the forebrain, including hypothalamus. However, this region has received little investigation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this study, the frequency, topography, and clinical associations of TDP-43 inclusion pathology in the basal forebrain and hypothalamus were examined in 33 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: 25 men and 8 women; mean age at death of 62.7 years, median disease duration of 3.1 years (range of 1.3 to 9.8 years).. TDP-43 pathology was present in 11 patients (33.3%), including components in both basal forebrain (n=10) and hypothalamus (n=7). This pathology was associated with non-motor system TDP-43 pathology (Χ2=17.5, p=0.00003) and bulbar symptoms at onset (Χ2=4.04, p=0.044), but not age or disease duration. Furthermore, TDP-43 pathology in the lateral hypothalamic area was associated with reduced body mass index (W=11, p=0.023).. This is the first systematic demonstration of pathologic involvement of the basal forebrain and hypothalamus in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Furthermore, the findings suggest that involvement of the basal forebrain and hypothalamus has significant phenotypic associations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, including site of symptom onset, as well as deficits in energy metabolism with loss of body mass index.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Autopsy; Basal Forebrain; Body Mass Index; Chi-Square Distribution; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Hypothalamus; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index

To determine the histopathologic bases for the observed incidence of parkinsonism in families with C9ORF72 expansions, which typically cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or frontotemporal dementia.. DNA was extracted from 377 brains with the histopathologic diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease or related disorders and analyzed for C9ORF72 expansions. α-Synuclein and p62 immunohistochemistry of the substantia nigra (SN) was undertaken in brains of 17 ALS cases with (C9ORF72+) and 51 without (C9ORF72-) the C9ORF72 expansion.. Only 1 of 338 cases with pathologically confirmed idiopathic Parkinson disease had a C9ORF72 expansion. Similarly, only 1 of 17 C9ORF72+ brains displayed features suggestive of α-synucleinopathy. In contrast, p62-positive, TDP-43-negative neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions within the SN were considerably more frequent in C9ORF72+ brain tissue than in the C9ORF72- brains (p = 0.005). Furthermore, there was a more marked loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SN of C9ORF72+ ALS brains than C9ORF72- ALS brains (p = 0.029).. SN involvement is common in C9ORF72+ ALS but can be clearly distinguished from Parkinson disease-related mechanisms by the presence of p62-positive inclusions and the absence of α-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies or Lewy neurites.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; C9orf72 Protein; DNA Repeat Expansion; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Frontotemporal Dementia; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Middle Aged; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Proteins

Immunohistochemical studies were performed on postmortem brain and spinal cord from a patient with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis characterized by a C111Y mutation in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene. Clinically, the patient presented with classical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and died of respiratory failure at age 53 years without ventilator dependence, 4 years after the onset. Pathologically, loss of motor neurons was more extensive than upper motor neurons. Lower motor neurons developed massive intracellular cytoplasmic neuronal inclusions, which were immunoreactive for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and phosphorylated α-synuclein, often colocalized. The inclusions were TAR DNA-binding protein 43 negative. The clinicopathologic significance of coaggregation of α-synuclein and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase protein, a novel finding in neurodegenerative disorders, needs further investigation.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons; Mutation; Superoxide Dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1

Cycad seed consumption by the native islanders of Guam is frequently associated with high rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS/PDC); furthermore, accompanying pathological examination often exhibits α-synuclein inclusions in the neurons of the affected brain. Acylated steryl-β-glucoside (ASG) contained in cycad seeds is considered as causative environmental risk factor. We aimed to investigate whether ASG influences aggregation and cell toxicity of α-synuclein. To understand whether ASG is a causative factor in the development of ALS/PDC, soybean-derived ASG was tested for its effect on in vitro aggregation of α-synuclein using Thioflavin-T. ASG was also tested to determine whether it modulates α-synuclein cytotoxicity in yeast cells. In addition, we determined whether an interaction between ASG and α-synuclein occurs in the plasma membrane or cytoplasm using three factors: GM1 ganglioside, small unilamellar vesicles, and ATP. In the present study, we found that ASG-mediated acceleration of α-synuclein aggregation is influenced by the presence of ATP, but not by the presence of GM1. ASG accelerated the α-synuclein aggregation in the cytoplasm. ASG also enhanced α-synuclein-induced cytotoxicity in yeast cells. This study demonstrated that ASG directly enhances aggregation and cytotoxicity of α-synuclein, which are often observed in patients with ALS/PDC. These results, using assays that replicate cytoplasmic conditions, are consistent with the molecular mechanism that cytotoxicity is caused by intracellular α-synuclein fibril formation in neuronal cells.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cycas; Dementia; Glucosides; Humans; Neurotoxins; Parkinsonian Disorders; Proteostasis Deficiencies; Seeds; Unilamellar Liposomes

α-Synuclein pathology was examined in the brains and spinal cords of 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) in the Kii Peninsula, Japan. Various types of phosphorylated α-synuclein-positive structures including neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, dystrophic neurites, and glial cytoplasmic inclusions were found in all ALS/PDC cases. There were phosphorylated α-synuclein-positive neurons in 8 cases (80%), and the amygdala was most severely affected. Phosphorylated α-synuclein was distributed mainly in the limbic system and brainstem; tau pathology was more prevalent than α-synuclein pathology in most affected areas. In the substantia nigra, periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, raphe nuclei, dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, hypoglossal nucleus or ventral horn, and intermediolateral nucleus of the spinal cord, α-synuclein pathology was more predominant than tau pathology in only 1 or 2 patients. Phosphorylated α-synuclein- positive structures were not found in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Phosphorylated α-synuclein frequently colocalized with tau in neuron cell bodies, neurites, and glia. Immunoblots of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions extracted from the brain of 1 patient showed a triplet of α-synuclein-immunoreactive bands that were ubiquitinated. These results suggest that interaction between tau and α-synuclein be involved in the pathogenesis of Kii ALS/PDC.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Brain; Dementia; Female; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Neurofibrillary Tangles; Neurons; Parkinsonian Disorders

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralyzing disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of motor neurons and occurs both as a sporadic and familial disease. Mutant SOD1 (mtSOD1) in motor neurons induces vulnerability to the disease through protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, cytoskeletal abnormalities, defective axonal transport- and growth factor signaling, excitotoxicity, and neuro-inflammation.Melittin is a 26 amino acid protein and is one of the components of bee venom which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit of cancer cell proliferation and is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects.The purpose of the present study was to determine if melittin could suppress motor neuron loss and protein misfolding in the hSOD1G93A mouse, which is commonly used as a model for inherited ALS. Meltittin was injected at the 'ZuSanLi' (ST36) acupuncture point in the hSOD1G93A animal model. Melittin-treated animals showed a decrease in the number of microglia and in the expression level of phospho-p38 in the spinal cord and brainstem. Interestingly, melittin treatment in symptomatic ALS animals improved motor function and reduced the level of neuron death in the spinal cord when compared to the control group. Furthermore, we found increased of α-synuclein modifications, such as phosphorylation or nitration, in both the brainstem and spinal cord in hSOD1G93A mice. However, melittin treatment reduced α-synuclein misfolding and restored the proteasomal activity in the brainstem and spinal cord of symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice.Our research suggests a potential functional link between melittin and the inhibition of neuroinflammation in an ALS animal model.

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Brain Stem; Cell Death; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Male; Melitten; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Motor Activity; Nerve Degeneration; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Protein Folding; Rotarod Performance Test; Spinal Cord; Superoxide Dismutase; Survival Rate

Neurological symptoms of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often worsen during infections. We assessed the disease-modulating effects of recurrent systemic infections with the most frequent respiratory pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae, on the course of AD, PD, and ALS in mouse models of these neurodegenerative diseases [transgenic Tg2576 mice, (Thy1)-[A30P]alpha SYN mice, and Tg(SOD1-G93A) mice]. Mice were repeatedly challenged intraperitoneally with live S. pneumoniae type 3 and treated with ceftriaxone for 3 days. Infection caused an increase of interleukin-6 concentrations in brain homogenates. The clinical status of (Thy1)-[A30P]alpha SYN mice and Tg(SOD1-G93A) mice was monitored by repeated assessment with a clinical score. Motor performance was controlled by the tightrope test and the rotarod test. In Tg2576 mice, spatial memory and learning deficits were assessed in the Morris water maze. In none of the three mouse models onset or course of the disease as evaluated by the clinical tests was affected by the recurrent systemic infections performed. Levels of alpha-synuclein in brains of (Thy1)-[A30P]alpha SYN mice did not differ between infected animals and control animals. Plaque sizes and concentrations of A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42 were not significantly different in brains of infected and uninfected Tg2576 mice. In conclusion, onset and course of disease in mouse models of three common neurodegenerative disorders were not influenced by repeated systemic infections with S. pneumoniae, indicating that the effect of moderately severe acute infections on the course of neurodegenerative diseases may be less pronounced than suspected.

Topics: Acute Disease; alpha-Synuclein; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ceftriaxone; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Interleukin-6; Maze Learning; Memory Disorders; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuropsychological Tests; Parkinson Disease; Plaque, Amyloid; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Recurrence; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Up-Regulation

Topics: alpha-Synuclein; Amino Acids, Diamino; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Causality; Cyanobacteria Toxins; Cycas; Dementia; Disease Models, Animal; Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Studies; Flour; Guam; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Incidence; Indonesia; Japan; Marine Toxins; Methylazoxymethanol Acetate; Microcystins; Nerve Degeneration; Parkinsonian Disorders; Plant Extracts; Syndrome; Tauopathies

To clarify the genetic background of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) of the Kii peninsula, Japan (Kii ALS/PDC), we performed extended mutation analyses of three patients with pathologically diagnosed Kii ALS/PDC. Direct sequencing analyses were performed in 19 genes, including ALS/frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)-related genes (SOD2, SOD3, ALS2/alsin, SMN1, PGRN, ANG, VEGF, VCP, VAPB, DCTN1, CHMP2B, and TARDBP or TDP-43), tauopathy-related gene (GSK3beta), and parkinsonism-related genes (alpha-synuclein, LRRK2, parkin, DJ-1, PINK1, and ATP13A2). Gene dosage analyses were conducted in screening of MAPT, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43 (or TARDBP), GSK3beta, and parkin. We found no mutation in the 19 genes. We found a homozygous nonsynonymous SNP (ALS2/alsin V368M) shared by all the three patients. Gene dosage was normal in MAPT, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, GSK3beta, and parkin. The present findings, together with a previous negative study on MAPT and SOD1 mutation, further elucidated the lack of causative mutations in all exons, exon-intron boundaries, or some rearrangements of the reported major causative or susceptible genes related to ALS, FTLD, parkinsonism, synucleinopathy, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and tauopathy. However, the familial aggregation and lack of any environment factors suggest that Kii ALS/PDC is caused by other yet unidentified genetic factors.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Dementia; DNA Mutational Analysis; DNA-Binding Proteins; Family Health; Female; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Parkinsonian Disorders; tau Proteins; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Guam ALS/PDC is a severe tangle forming disorder endemic to Guam with features overlapping such neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), ALS, corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and pallido-ponto-nigral degeneration (PPND). Since the prevalence is declining, we examined brain tissue from 35 clinically diagnosed Chamorro patients with ALS/PDC and two Chamorro controls autopsied between 1946 and 2006, to determine if distinct variations in the pathology could be identified up to this time. Although the age at autopsy increased by 4.5-5 years per decade, we identified no qualitative differences in pathological deposits with antibodies against tau, ubiquitin, A beta, alpha-synuclein and TDP-43, indicating that these more recently identified proteins have been involved in the neuropathogenesis over the past 6 decades. Tau and TDP-43 positive neuronal, oligodendroglial and astrocytic inclusions involving multiple nerve fiber tracts occurred in both the ALS and PDC types, reinforcing the concept that these forms are part of the same disorder. The results obtained may help to define the commonality of the Guam disease with other tangle forming disorders and may help in monitoring the epidemiological changes that are taking place.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Synuclein; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Autopsy; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Dementia; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Guam; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Middle Aged; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurofibrillary Tangles; Neuroglia; Neurons; Parkinsonian Disorders; tau Proteins; Ubiquitin

Mutation in the CHMP2B gene has been implicated in frontotemporal dementia. The authors screened CHMP2B in patients with ALS and several cohorts of control samples. They identified mutations (Q206H; I29V) in two patients with non-SOD1 ALS. Neuropathology of the Q206H case showed lower motor neuron predominant disease with ubiquitylated inclusions in motor neurons. Antibodies to p62 (sequestosome 1) showed novel oligodendroglial inclusions in the motor cortex.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Brain; DNA Mutational Analysis; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glutamine; Histidine; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Isoleucine; Male; Mutation; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurofilament Proteins; Phenotype; Proteins; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Sequestosome-1 Protein; Spinal Cord; tau Proteins; Ubiquitin; Valine

We immunohistochemically examined the sympathetic ganglia (SG) and brains of 26 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 19 age-matched controls, and 25 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). alpha-Synuclein-immunoreactive structures were found in the neuronal cytoplasm and processes of the SG in 11 of the 26 MSA cases (42.3%) and 1 of the 25 ALS cases (4%), but not in the 19 controls. No alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive structures were found in Schwann cells or the neuronal nucleus. Mean disease duration of MSA cases with alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive structures was significantly longer than that of MSA cases without alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive structures. alpha-Synuclein-immunoreactive structures in 4 cases proved to be Lewy bodies (LB) based on hematoxylin-eosin staining. A few LB were also found in the brains of 3 of these 4 cases. In the other 7 MSA cases, diffuse or focal neuronal cytoplasmic aggregates and swollen neurites were detected with alpha-synuclein immunostaining, but not with hematoxylin-eosin staining. However, a few LB-like structures with ring-like staining were observed in those aggregates, which suggested those aggregates had progressed to form LB. Immunoelectron microscopically, those aggregates were composed of filaments and granular materials which closely resembled the ultrastructural features of LB. We inferred that alpha-synuclein aggregates found in the SG in our study evidenced LB-related pathologies. MSA, a type of synucleinopathy, is characterized by glial cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes, but also frequently develops LB pathology in the late stage, especially in the SG.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Female; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Lewy Bodies; Male; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Synucleins; Time Factors

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinically heterogeneous condition that can be associated with clinical manifestations of an extrapyramidal disorder or motor neuron disease. A range of histologic patterns has been described in patients with FTD. The most common familial form of this condition is caused by mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau gene (MAP tau) and is associated with neuronal or glial tau inclusions.. To determine the clinical, anatomic, and pathological features of San Francisco family A and to map the mutation responsible for disease in this family.. A systematic clinical, neuropsychologic, neuroimaging, and chromosome segregation analysis of San Francisco family A was performed. A pathological and biochemical assessment of a family member was made.. Family study.. San Francisco family A, with FTD, variable extrapyramidal symptoms, and prominent motor neuron disease. Afflicted family members do not have a MAP tau coding or splice regulatory sequence mutation, and the MAP tau is genetically excluded.. Comparison of clinical, neuropsychologic, neuroimaging, and linkage findings of San Francisco family A with other familial forms of FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).. The most probable location for the mutation responsible for this condition is on chromosome arm 17q, distal to the MAP tau. All previously identified susceptibility loci for FTD and ALS are excluded. Autopsy findings from an afflicted family member show distinctive tau and alpha-synuclein inclusions. Another unique feature is that the insoluble tau protein consists predominantly of the 4R/0N isoform.. The condition affecting members of San Francisco family A is clinically, pathologically, and genetically distinct from previous familial forms of FTD and ALS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Blotting, Western; Brain; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; Dementia; Family Health; Female; Genetic Linkage; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Lod Score; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurologic Examination; Neuropsychological Tests; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protein Isoforms; Synucleins; tau Proteins

In many neurodegenerative diseases, the cytopathological hallmark is the presence of ubiquitylated inclusions consisting of insoluble protein aggregates. Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies disease, glial cell inclusions in multiple system atrophy, and hyaline inclusions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are representative of these inclusions. The elucidation of the components of these inclusions and the mechanisms underlying inclusion formation is important in uncovering the pathogenesis of these disorders. We hypothesized that Dorfin, a perinuclearly located E3 ubiquitin ligase, participates in the formation of ubiquitylated inclusions in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report that affinity-purified anti-Dorfin antibody labeled ubiquitylated inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies disease, multiple system atrophy, and sporadic and familial ALS. A double-immunofluorescence study revealed that Dorfin shows a distribution pattern parallel to that of ubiquitin. Furthermore, by a filter trap assay, we detected that Dorfin is present in the ubiquitylated high-molecular weight structures derived from these diseases. These results suggest that Dorfin plays a crucial role in the formation of ubiquitylated inclusions of alpha-synucleinopathy and ALS. However, because we failed to show the direct binding of alpha-synuclein with Dorfin, future investigations into the binding partner(s) of Dorfin will be needed to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of alpha-synucleinopathy and ALS.

Topics: Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Antibodies; Cell Line; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Lewy Body Disease; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Weight; Multiple System Atrophy; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuroglia; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Protein Binding; Superoxide Dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1; Synucleins; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

We investigated by immunohistochemistry the deposition of alpha-synuclein in the brains of deceased patients with the parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) of Guam. Five of 13 PDC brains showed numerous alpha-synuclein positive neuronal inclusions and abnormal neurites, chiefly in the amygdala. Similar alpha-synuclein positive lesions were observed, although to a lesser extent, in the entorhinal cortex and the dorsal vagal nucleus. No alpha-synuclein positive inclusions were observed in motor cortex or locus coeruleus, and only a small number of positive inclusions were found in the Sommer's sector, temporal cortex, or substantia nigra. Some of the alpha-synuclein positive inclusions were reminiscent of cortical Lewy bodies (LB), but many of those in the amygdala coexisted with tau-positive pretangles and/or neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) within the same neurons. In these neurons, tau-positive shells encapsulated alpha-synuclein positive central cores or irregularly shaped alpha-synuclein-positive deposition intermingled with pretangles/NFT. Thus, the present study suggests that a common mechanism may govern aggregation of alpha-synuclein and tau in the amygdala, and that aggregation of alpha-synuclein may play some role in the neurodegenerative process of a tauopathy (i.e. PDC) in which Abeta deposition is virtually absent.

Topics: Adult; Aged; alpha-Synuclein; Amygdala; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Dementia; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Guam; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Parkinsonian Disorders; Plaque, Amyloid; Synucleins; tau Proteins