scholarly journals Designing transthyretin mutants affecting tetrameric structure: implications in amyloidogenicity

2000 ◽  
Vol 348 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara REDONDO ◽  
Ana M. DAMAS ◽  
Maria João M. SARAIVA
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Tetrameric Structure ◽  
Structural Subunit ◽  
The Stability

The molecular mechanisms that convert soluble transthyretin (TTR) tetramers into insoluble amyloid fibrils are still unknown; dissociation of the TTR tetramer is a pre-requisite for amyloid formation in vitro and involvement of monomers and/or dimers in fibril formation has been suggested by structural studies. We have designed four mutated proteins with the purpose of stabilizing [Ser117 → Cys (S117C) and Glu92 → Cys (E92C)] or destabilizing [Asp18 → Asn (D18N) and Leu110 → Ala (D110A)] the dimer/tetramer interactions in TTR, aiming at elucidating structural determinants in amyloidogenesis. The resistance of the mutated proteins to dissociation was analysed by HPLC studies of diluted TTR preparations. Both ‘stabilized’ mutants migrated as tetramers and, upon dilution, no other TTR species was observed, confirming the increased resistance to dissociation. For the ‘destabilized’ mutants, a mixture of tetrameric and monomeric forms co-existed at low dilution and the latter increased upon 10-fold dilution. Both of the destabilizing mutants formed amyloid in vitro when acidified. This result indicated that both the AB loop of TTR, destabilized in D18N, and the hydrophobic interactions affecting the dimer-dimer interfaces in L110A are implicated in the stability of the tetrameric structure. The stabilized mutants, which were dimeric in nature through disulphide bonding, were unable to polymerize into amyloid, even at pH 3.2. When the amyloid formation assay was repeated in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, upon disruption of the S-S bridges of these stable dimers, amyloid fibril formation was observed. This experimental evidence suggests that monomers, rather than dimers, are the repeating structural subunit comprising the amyloid fibrils.

scholarly journals Pancreatic beta-cell granule peptides form heteromolecular complexes which inhibit islet amyloid polypeptide fibril formation

2004 ◽  
Vol 377 (3) ◽  
pp. 709-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma T. A. S. JAIKARAN ◽  
Melanie R. NILSSON ◽  
Anne CLARK
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽  
Islet Amyloid Polypeptide ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Islet Amyloid ◽  
Β Sheet

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), or ‘amylin’, is co-stored with insulin in secretory granules of pancreatic islet β-cells. In Type 2 diabetes, IAPP converts into a β-sheet conformation and oligomerizes to form amyloid fibrils and islet deposits. Granule components, including insulin, inhibit spontaneous IAPP fibril formation in vitro. To determine the mechanism of this inhibition, molecular interactions of insulin with human IAPP (hIAPP), rat IAPP (rIAPP) and other peptides were examined using surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore), CD and transmission electron microscopy (EM). hIAPP and rIAPP complexed with insulin, and this reaction was concentration-dependent. rIAPP and insulin, but not pro-insulin, bound to hIAPP. Insulin with a truncated B-chain, to prevent dimerization, also bound hIAPP. In the presence of insulin, hIAPP did not spontaneously develop β-sheet secondary structure or form fibrils. Insulin interacted with pre-formed IAPP fibrils in a regular repeating pattern, as demonstrated by immunoEM, suggesting that the binding sites for insulin remain exposed in hIAPP fibrils. Since rIAPP and hIAPP form complexes with insulin (and each other), this could explain the lack of amyloid fibrils in transgenic mice expressing hIAPP. It is likely that IAPP fibrillogenesis is inhibited in secretory granules (where the hIAPP concentration is in the millimolar range) by heteromolecular complex formation with insulin. Alterations in the proportions of insulin and IAPP in granules could disrupt the stability of the peptide. The increase in the proportion of unprocessed pro-insulin produced in Type 2 diabetes could be a major factor in destabilization of hIAPP and induction of fibril formation.

scholarly journals Deletion of Serf2 shifts amyloid conformation in an Aβ amyloid mouse model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Stroo ◽  
L. Janssen ◽  
O. Sin ◽  
W. Hogewerf ◽  
M. Koster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
Disease Manifestation ◽  
Aβ Amyloid ◽  
Perinatal Lethality

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington disease are characterized by aggregation-prone proteins that form amyloid fibrils through a nucleation process. Despite the shared β-sheet structure, recent research has shown that structurally different polymorphs exist within fibrils of the same protein. These polymorphs are associated with varying levels of toxicity and different disease phenotypes. MOAG-4 and its human orthologs SERF1 and SERF2 have previously been shown to modify the nucleation and drive amyloid formation and protein toxicity in vitro and in C. elegans. To further explore these findings, we generated a Serf2 knockout (KO) mouse model and crossed it with the APPPS1 mouse model for Aβ amyloid pathology. Full-body KO of Serf2 resulted in a developmental delay and perinatal lethality due to insufficient lung maturation. Therefore, we proceeded with a brain-specific Serf2 KO, which was found to be viable. We examined the Aβ pathology at 1 and 3 months of age, which is before and after the start of amyloid deposition. We show that SERF2 deficiency does not affect the production and overall Aβ levels. Serf2 KO-APPPS1 mice displayed an increased intracellular Aβ accumulation at 1 month and a higher number of Aβ deposits compared to APPPS1 mice with similar Aβ levels. Moreover, conformation-specific dyes and electron microscopy revealed a difference in the structure and amyloid content of these Aβ deposits. Together, our results reveal that SERF2 causes a structural shift in Aβ aggregation in a mammalian brain. These findings indicate that a single endogenous factor may contribute to amyloid polymorphisms, allowing for new insights into this phenomenon’s contribution to disease manifestation.HighlightsLoss of SERF2 slows embryonic development and causes perinatal lethalitySERF2 affects proliferation in a cell-autonomous fashionBrain-specific Serf2 knockout does not affect viability or Aβ productionBrain deletion of Serf2 shifts the amyloid conformation of Aβ

scholarly journals Adsorption of unfolded Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase onto hydrophobic surfaces catalyzes its formation of amyloid fibrils

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ashhar I Khan ◽  
Ulrich Weininger ◽  
Sven Kjellström ◽  
Shashank Deep ◽  
Mikael Akke
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Hydrophobic Surface ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Hydrophobic Surfaces ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Denaturant Concentration

Abstract Intracellular aggregates of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In vivo, aggregation occurs in a complex and dense molecular environment with chemically heterogeneous surfaces. To investigate how SOD1 fibril formation is affected by surfaces, we used an in vitro model system enabling us to vary the molecular features of both SOD1 and the surfaces, as well as the surface area. We compared fibril formation in hydrophilic and hydrophobic sample wells, as a function of denaturant concentration and extraneous hydrophobic surface area. In the presence of hydrophobic surfaces, SOD1 unfolding promotes fibril nucleation. By contrast, in the presence of hydrophilic surfaces, increasing denaturant concentration retards the onset of fibril formation. We conclude that the mechanism of fibril formation depends on the surrounding surfaces and that the nucleating species might correspond to different conformational states of SOD1 depending on the nature of these surfaces.

scholarly journals Desmin forms toxic, seeding-competent amyloid aggregates that persist in muscle fibers

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (34) ◽  
pp. 16835-16840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niraja Kedia ◽  
Khalid Arhzaouy ◽  
Sara K. Pittman ◽  
Yuanzi Sun ◽  
Mark Batchelor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Epigallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Myofibrillar Myopathy ◽  
Protein Aggregate ◽  
Disease Mutations ◽  
Amyloid Aggregates ◽  
Associated Proteins

Desmin-associated myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) has pathologic similarities to neurodegeneration-associated protein aggregate diseases. Desmin is an abundant muscle-specific intermediate filament, and disease mutations lead to its aggregation in cells, animals, and patients. We reasoned that similar to neurodegeneration-associated proteins, desmin itself may form amyloid. Desmin peptides corresponding to putative amyloidogenic regions formed seeding-competent amyloid fibrils. Amyloid formation was increased when disease-associated mutations were made within the peptide, and this conversion was inhibited by the anti-amyloid compound epigallocatechin-gallate. Moreover, a purified desmin fragment (aa 117 to 348) containing both amyloidogenic regions formed amyloid fibrils under physiologic conditions. Desmin fragment-derived amyloid coaggregated with full-length desmin and was able to template its conversion into fibrils in vitro. Desmin amyloids were cytotoxic to myotubes and disrupted their myofibril organization compared with desmin monomer or other nondesmin amyloids. Finally, desmin fragment amyloid persisted when introduced into mouse skeletal muscle. These data suggest that desmin forms seeding-competent amyloid that is toxic to myofibers. Moreover, small molecules known to interfere with amyloid formation and propagation may have therapeutic potential in MFM.

scholarly journals Structure and Aggregation Mechanisms in Amyloids

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaida L. Almeida ◽  
Rui M. M. Brito
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Species ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Misfolding Diseases ◽  
Amyloid Cascade

The aggregation of a polypeptide chain into amyloid fibrils and their accumulation and deposition into insoluble plaques and intracellular inclusions is the hallmark of several misfolding diseases known as amyloidoses. Alzheimer′s, Parkinson′s and Huntington’s diseases are some of the approximately 50 amyloid diseases described to date. The identification and characterization of the molecular species critical for amyloid formation and disease development have been the focus of intense scrutiny. Methods such as X-ray and electron diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (ssNMR) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have been extensively used and they have contributed to shed a new light onto the structure of amyloid, revealing a multiplicity of polymorphic structures that generally fit the cross-β amyloid motif. The development of rational therapeutic approaches against these debilitating and increasingly frequent misfolding diseases requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the amyloid cascade. Here, we review the current knowledge on amyloid fibril formation for several proteins and peptides from a kinetic and thermodynamic point of view, the structure of the molecular species involved in the amyloidogenic process, and the origin of their cytotoxicity.

scholarly journals Fibrillogenesis in Alzheimer's disease of amyloid β peptides and apolipoprotein E

1995 ◽  
Vol 306 (2) ◽  
pp. 599-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
E M Castano ◽  
F Prelli ◽  
T Wisniewski ◽  
A Golabek ◽  
R A Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Senile Plaques ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Tau Proteins ◽  
Amyloid Formation

A central event in Alzheimer's disease is the conformational change from normally circulating soluble amyloid beta peptides (A beta) and tau proteins into amyloid fibrils, in the form of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles respectively. The apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene locus has recently been associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. It is not know whether apoE plays a direct role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In the present work we have investigated whether apoE can affect the known spontaneous in vitro formation of amyloid-like fibrils by synthetic A beta analogues using a thioflavine-T assay for fibril formation, electron microscopy and Congo Red staining. Our results show that, under the conditions used, apoE directly promotes amyloid fibril formation, increasing both the rate of fibrillogenesis and the total amount of amyloid formed. ApoE accelerated fibril formation of both wild-type A beta-(1-40) and A beta-(1-40A), an analogue created by the replacement of valine with alanine at residue 18, which alone produces few amyloid-like fibrils. However, apoE produced only a minimal effect on A beta-(1-40Q), found in the Dutch variant of Alzheimer's disease. When recombinant apoE isoforms were used, apoE4 was more efficient than apoE3 at enhancing amyloid formation. These in vitro observations support the hypothesis that apoE acts as a pathological chaperone, promoting the beta-pleated-sheet conformation of soluble A beta into amyloid fibres, and provide a possible explanation for the association of the apoE4 genetic isoform with Alzheimer's disease.

Molecular Mechanisms of Prophase I Meiotic Arrest Maintenance and Meiotic Resumption in Mammalian Oocytes

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1519-1537
Author(s):  
Maxim Filatov ◽  
Yulia Khramova ◽  
Maria Semenova
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Follicular Cells ◽  
Meiotic Arrest ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Prophase I ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Multiple Molecules

Mechanisms of meiotic prophase I arrest maintenance (germinal vesicle [GV] stage) and meiotic resumption (germinal vesicle breakdown [GVBD] stage) in mammalian oocytes seem to be very complicated. These processes are regulated via multiple molecular cascades at transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels, and many of them are interrelated. There are many molecular cascades of meiosis maintaining and meiotic resumption in oocyte which are orchestrated by multiple molecules produced by pituitary gland and follicular cells. Furthermore, many of these molecular cascades are duplicated, thus ensuring the stability of the entire system. Understanding mechanisms of oocyte maturation is essential to assess the oocyte status, develop effective protocols of oocyte in vitro maturation, and design novel contraceptive drugs. Mechanisms of meiotic arrest maintenance at prophase I and meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes are covered in the present article.

scholarly journals Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Leaves Extracts of Annona muricata: A Combined In vitro and In silico Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 3470-3479
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
In Silico Analysis ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Annona Muricata ◽  
Butanol Extract

Leaves of Annona muricata are commonly used for treating diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the antidiabetic properties of leaves of Annona muricata. Leaves of Annona muricata were extracted separately with H2O, hydromethanol (50% methanol), methanol, ethylacetate, and n-butanol. Chemical characterization of the extracts was performed by spectrophotometry and Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Biological activity was determined by α-amylase inhibition assays and molecular docking. The hydromethanol extract had a total phenolics concentration of 117.00±0.59 µg GAE/mg extract whereas; flavonoids were most abundant in the n-butanol extract accounting for 29.34±8.87 µg QE/mg extract. The n-butanol extract had the best FRAP value of 41.17±0.57 Vit C eqv mM, which was significantly higher than the value of the vitamin C reference. Estimated IC50 for all the extracts did not differ significantly but was significantly higher than the reference compound quercetin. All extracts inhibited α-amylase in vitro albeit significantly lower than acarbose. The hydromethanol extract had the highest inhibitory activity (53.31 ± 0.33%). Furthermore, chemical profiling of the hydromethanol extract revealed the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds. In silico analysis by molecular docking of the compounds identified by GC-MS on α-amylase revealed that the compounds had robust molecular interactions orchestrated by H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. From the results, it can be concluded that extracts of Annona muricata possess antioxidant phytochemicals that inhibit α-amylase. Therefore, the results justify the use of the plant for the treatment of diabetes.

scholarly journals Modulation of Amyloidogenic Protein Self-Assembly Using Tethered Small Molecules

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Cawood ◽  
Nicolas Guthertz ◽  
Jessica Ebo ◽  
Theodoros Karamanos ◽  
Sheena E. Radford FRS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Structural Characterization ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Amyloid Assembly

<p></p><p>Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are involved in many of life’s essential biological functions yet are also an underlying cause of several human diseases, including amyloidosis. The modulation of PPIs presents opportunities to gain mechanistic insights into amyloid assembly, particularly through the use of methods which can trap specific intermediates for detailed study. Such information can also provide a starting point for drug discovery. Here, we demonstrate that covalently tethered small molecule fragments can be used to stabilize specific oligomers during amyloid fibril formation, facilitating the structural characterization of these assembly intermediates. We exemplify the power of covalent tethering using the naturally occurring truncated variant (ΔN6) of the human protein β2-microglobulin (β2m), which assembles into amyloid fibrils associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis. Using this approach, we have trapped tetramers formed by ΔN6 under conditions which would normally lead to fibril formation and found that the degree of tetramer stabilization depends on the site of the covalent tether and the nature of the protein-fragment interaction. The covalent protein-ligand linkage enabled structural characterization of these trapped oligomeric species using X-ray crystallography and NMR, providing insight into why tetramer stabilization inhibits amyloid assembly. Our findings highlight the power of “post-translational chemical modification" as a tool to study biological molecular mechanisms. </p><br><p></p>

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