scholarly journals Targeting the endoplasmic reticulum in prion disease treatment: breakthroughs and challenges

Author(s):  
Soshi Kanemoto
2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 537-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Guerriero ◽  
Jeffrey L. Brodsky

Protein folding is a complex, error-prone process that often results in an irreparable protein by-product. These by-products can be recognized by cellular quality control machineries and targeted for proteasome-dependent degradation. The folding of proteins in the secretory pathway adds another layer to the protein folding “problem,” as the endoplasmic reticulum maintains a unique chemical environment within the cell. In fact, a growing number of diseases are attributed to defects in secretory protein folding, and many of these by-products are targeted for a process known as endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). Since its discovery, research on the mechanisms underlying the ERAD pathway has provided new insights into how ERAD contributes to human health during both normal and diseases states. Links between ERAD and disease are evidenced from the loss of protein function as a result of degradation, chronic cellular stress when ERAD fails to keep up with misfolded protein production, and the ability of some pathogens to coopt the ERAD pathway. The growing number of ERAD substrates has also illuminated the differences in the machineries used to recognize and degrade a vast array of potential clients for this pathway. Despite all that is known about ERAD, many questions remain, and new paradigms will likely emerge. Clearly, the key to successful disease treatment lies within defining the molecular details of the ERAD pathway and in understanding how this conserved pathway selects and degrades an innumerable cast of substrates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Alicia Otero ◽  
Marina Betancor ◽  
Hasier Eraña ◽  
Natalia Fernández Borges ◽  
José J. Lucas ◽  
...  

Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that can be spontaneous, familial or acquired by infection. The conversion of the prion protein PrPC to its abnormal and misfolded isoform PrPSc is the main event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases of all origins. In spontaneous prion diseases, the mechanisms that trigger the formation of PrPSc in the central nervous system remain unknown. Several reports have demonstrated that the accumulation of PrPSc can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and proteasome impairment from the early stages of the prion disease. Both mechanisms lead to an increment of PrP aggregates in the secretory pathway, which could explain the pathogenesis of spontaneous prion diseases. Here, we investigate the role of ER stress and proteasome impairment during prion disorders in a murine model of spontaneous prion disease (TgVole) co-expressing the UbG76V-GFP reporter, which allows measuring the proteasome activity in vivo. Spontaneously prion-affected mice showed a significantly higher accumulation of the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), the ER chaperone binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP/Grp78), the ER protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and the UbG76V-GFP reporter than age-matched controls in certain brain areas. The upregulation of PERK, BiP, PDI and ubiquitin was detected from the preclinical stage of the disease, indicating that ER stress and proteasome impairment begin at early stages of the spontaneous disease. Strong correlations were found between the deposition of these markers and neuropathological markers of prion disease in both preclinical and clinical mice. Our results suggest that both ER stress and proteasome impairment occur during the pathogenesis of spontaneous prion diseases.


Author(s):  
Tarah Satterfield ◽  
Jessica Pritchett ◽  
Sarah Cruz ◽  
Kyeorda Kemp

AbstractBackground: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a collection of rare neurodegenerative disorders characterized by loss of neuronal cells, astrocytosis, and plaque formation. The causative agent of these diseases is thought to be abnormally folded prions and is characterized by a conformational change from normal, cellular prion protein (PrPc) to the abnormal form (PrPTSE). Although, there is evidence that normal prion protein can contribute to these disorders. The unfolded protein response, a conserved series of pathways involved in resolving stress associated with unfolded protein accumulation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), has been shown to play a role in regulating the development of prion diseases. Methods: This review chose papers based on their relevance to current studies involved in prion protein synthesis and transformation, identifies various links between prion diseases and ER stress, and reports on current and potential treatments as they relate to ER stress and prion diseases. Conclusion: For the advancement of prion disease treatment, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in prion formation, and ER stress is implicated in prion disease progression. Therefore, targeting the ER or pathways involved in response to stress in the ER may help us treat prion diseases.


Prion ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. McCarthy ◽  
Dietmar Appelhans ◽  
Jörg Tatzelt ◽  
Mark S. Rogers

Author(s):  
John J. Wolosewick ◽  
John H. D. Bryan

Early in spermiogenesis the manchette is rapidly assembled in a distal direction from the nuclear-ring-densities. The association of vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and the manchette microtubules (MTS) has been reported. In the mouse, osmophilic densities at the distal ends of the manchette are the organizing centers (MTOCS), and are associated with the SER. Rapid MT assembly and the lack of rough ER suggests that there is an existing pool of MT protein. Colcemid potentiates the reaction of vinblastine with tubulin and was used in this investigation to detect this protein.


Author(s):  
J. R. Ruby

Parotid glands were obtained from five adult (four male and one female) armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) which were perfusion-fixed. The glands were located in a position similar to that of most mammals. They extended interiorly to the anterior portion of the submandibular gland.In the light microscope, it was noted that the acini were relatively small and stained strongly positive with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue techniques, confirming the earlier results of Shackleford (1). Based on these qualities and other structural criteria, these cells have been classified as seromucous (2). The duct system was well developed. There were numerous intercalated ducts and intralobular striated ducts. The striated duct cells contained large amounts of PAS-positive substance.Thin sections revealed that the acinar cells were pyramidal in shape and contained a basally placed, slightly flattened nucleus (Fig. 1). The rough endoplasmic reticulum was also at the base of the cell.


Author(s):  
K.R. Porter

Most types of cells are known from their structure and overall form to possess a characteristic organization. In some instances this is evident in the non-random disposition of organelles and such system subunits as cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum or the Golgi complex. In others it appears in the distribution and orientation of cytoplasmic fibrils. And in yet others the organization finds expression in the non-random distribution and orientation of microtubules, especially as found in highly anisometric cells and cell processes. The impression is unavoidable that in none of these cases is the organization achieved without the involvement of the cytoplasmic ground substance (CGS) or matrix. This impression is based on the fact that a matrix is present and that in all instances these formed structures, whether membranelimited or filamentous, are suspended in it. In some well-known instances, as in arrays of microtubules which make up axonemes and axostyles, the matrix resolves itself into bridges (and spokes) between the microtubules, bridges which are in some cases very regularly disposed and uniform in size (Mcintosh, 1973; Bloodgood and Miller, 1974; Warner and Satir, 1974).


Author(s):  
Odell T. Minick ◽  
Hidejiro Yokoo ◽  
Fawzia Batti

To learn more of the nature and origin of alcoholic hyalin (AH), 15 liver biopsy specimens from patients with alcoholic hepatitis were studied in detail.AH was found not only in hepatocytes but also in ductular cells (Figs. 1 and 2), although in the latter location only rarely. The bulk of AH consisted of a randomly oriented network of closely packed filaments measuring about 150 Å in width. Bundles of filaments smaller in diameter (40-90 Å) were observed along the periphery of the main mass (Fig. 1), often surrounding it in a rim-like fashion. Fine filaments were also found close to the nucleus in both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells, the latter even though characteristic AH was not present (Figs. 3 and 4). Dispersed among the larger filaments were glycogen, RNA particles and profiles of endoplasmic reticulum. Dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum were often conspicuous around the periphery of the AH mass. A limiting membrane was not observed.


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