Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael Ramis, Joaquin Ortega-Castro, Bartolome Vilanova, Miquel Adrover, Juan Frau
Summary: Alpha-synuclein, an intrinsically disordered protein, is associated with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Metal cations play a crucial role in influencing the aggregation propensity of alpha-synuclein, either by directly binding to it or catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that metal binding or methionine sulfoxidation alters the conformational preferences of alpha-synuclein, leading to changes in its aggregation propensity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Eva M. Szego, Fabian Boss, Daniel Komnig, Charlott Gartner, Lennart Hofs, Hamed Shaykhalishahi, Michael M. M. Wordehoff, Theodora Saridaki, Jorg B. Schulz, Wolfgang Hoyer, Bjorn H. Falkenburger
Summary: The study demonstrates that AS69 can reduce alpha-synuclein pathology and associated neurodegeneration in primary neurons and in the mouse brain. AS69 was shown to interfere with fibril nucleation, reduce aggregation, and mitigate degeneration of dopaminergic axon terminals and dendrites. The findings suggest that small proteins binding the N-terminus of alpha-synuclein monomers could be a promising strategy to modify disease progression in Parkinson's disease.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan P. McGlinchey, Xiaodan Ni, Jared A. Shadish, Jiansen Jiang, Jennifer C. Lee
Summary: The study demonstrates that C-terminal truncations can accelerate the aggregation of alpha-synuclein, while the role of N-terminal truncations remains unclear. The research found that N-terminal truncations modulated the aggregation kinetics and fibril morphologies of alpha-synuclein.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Peizhou Jiang, Ming Gan, Dennis W. Dickson
Summary: This study demonstrates that nuclear extracts from apoptotic cells can induce intracellular alpha S aggregation in susceptible cells, suggesting a contribution of histone amyloid fibrils to alpha S aggregation. Additionally, recombinant histone-derived amyloid fibrils are able to induce alpha S aggregation in cellular and animal models, and this effect is associated with lysosome rupture mediated by endocytosis.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer Ramirez, Samantha X. Pancoe, Elizabeth Rhoades, E. James Petersson
Summary: This article investigates the effects of interactions between the small neuronal protein alpha-synuclein and lipids on aggregation. By analyzing a comprehensive collection of experimental data, the general trends of lipid structure influencing aggregation are identified, providing a resource for interpreting the effects of lipids on aggregation and potentially serving as inputs for computational models.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pratibha Kumari, Dhiman Ghosh, Agathe Vanas, Yanick Fleischmann, Thomas Wiegand, Gunnar Jeschke, Roland Riek, Cedric Eichmann
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between monomeric alpha-Syn and its fibrillar form using NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing that intermolecular interactions reduce intramolecular contacts in monomeric alpha-Syn, leading to further unfolding of its intrinsically disordered states and critically contributing to the aggregation kinetics of alpha-Syn during secondary nucleation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sabine M. Ulamec, Roberto Maya-Martinez, Emily J. Byrd, Katherine M. Dewison, Yong Xu, Leon F. Willis, Frank Sobott, George R. Heath, Patricija van Oosten Hawle, Vladimir L. Buchman, Sheena E. Radford, David J. Brockwell
Summary: In this study, the authors characterized the impact of amino acid substitution on alpha-synuclein aggregation. They found that residues 38 and 42 within the P1 region of alpha-synuclein influence amyloid formation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anshuman Mohapatra, Vijay Singh Bohara, Sachin Kumar, Nitin Chaudhary
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, with constipation being a common associated symptom. The antibiotic polymyxin B, typically used as a last resort drug for life-threatening Gram-negative bacterial infections, appears to improve symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients, although its mechanism of action remains unclear.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hao Gu, Xiuli Yang, Xiaobo Mao, Enquan Xu, Chen Qi, Haibo Wang, Saurav Brahmachari, Bethany York, Manjari Sriparna, Amanda Li, Michael Chang, Pavan Patel, Valina L. Dawson, Ted M. Dawson
Summary: The depletion of Lag3 in transgenic mice carrying human alpha-syn A53T mutation significantly reduces insoluble alpha-syn aggregates, delays disease progression, improves behavioral deficits, and prolongs survival, indicating the contribution of Lag3 to the pathogenesis in this model.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Md Ezazul Haque, Mahbuba Akther, Shofiul Azam, In-Su Kim, Yuxi Lin, Young-Ho Lee, Dong-Kug Choi
Summary: In Parkinson's disease, the aggregated alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies and mitochondrial dysfunction play crucial roles in neurodegeneration, with interactions between aggregated alpha-synuclein and mitochondria potentially leading to neuronal loss, making it an emerging drug target for Parkinson's disease treatment.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panagiota Mavroeidi, Maria Xilouri
Summary: The abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein in both neurons and glial cells plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a-synucleinopathies. This aggregation can disrupt normal glial cell function and contribute to neurodegeneration through various pathways, making it a potential therapeutic target for these disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Samuel Pena-Diaz, Javier Garcia-Pardo, Salvador Ventura
Summary: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, characterized by protein deposits in dopaminergic neurons. Recent research has identified compounds primarily of an aromatic nature that target a-Syn aggregation. This study provides a historical overview of Parkinson's disease, its molecular aspects, and current trends in small compound development to address a-Syn aggregation. These compounds are promising for the development of effective therapies for Parkinson's disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anton B. Matiiv, Svetlana E. Moskalenko, Olga S. Sergeeva, Galina A. Zhouravleva, Stanislav A. Bondarev
Summary: The NOS1AP gene encodes a protein that binds to nNOS and is associated with various disorders. It interacts with alpha-synuclein, suggesting its involvement in synucleinopathies and the relationship between Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The molecular mechanisms of these disorders may involve aggregation and misfolding of NOS1AP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. Kavya, Snehal Aouti, Sneha Jos, Thazhe Kootteri Prasad, K. N. Kumuda, Sruthi Unni, Balasundaram Padmanabhan, Neelagandan Kamariah, Sivaraman Padavattan, Rajeswara Babu Mythri
Summary: Alpha-synuclein aggregation, associated with Parkinson's disease, is driven by the region alpha Syn(36-42) and alpha Syn(1-12). Celastrol, one of the screened phytochemicals, exhibits high binding affinity with alpha Syn. NMR analysis confirms stable interactions between alpha Syn and celastrol, reducing alpha Syn aggregation, making celastrol a potential drug candidate for Parkinson's disease.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saurabh Awasthi, Cuifeng Ying, Jiali Li, Michael Mayer
Summary: This study demonstrates that resistive pulse measurements using polymer-coated solid-state nanopores enable single-particle-level characterization of the size and shape of individual amyloid oligomers in solution. Compared with conventional approaches, nanopore-based characterization provides superior resolution and rapid analysis in solution, which has the potential to become a widely accessible technique.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richa Dubey, Shruti H. Kulkarni, Sarath Chandra Dantu, Rajlaxmi Panigrahi, Devika M. Sardesai, Nikita Malik, Jhankar D. Acharya, Jeetender Chugh, Shilpy Sharma, Ashutosh Kumar
Summary: This study focuses on the anti-amyloidogenic potential of Myricetin in inhibiting and disaggregating hIAPP aggregation. The results show that Myricetin supplementation protects INS-1E cells, restores lost functionality in pancreatic islets exposed to hIAPP, and interacts with hIAPP fibrils to prevent aggregation and distort them.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Srivastav Ranganathan, Eugene Shakhnovich
Summary: This study utilizes a minimal model of P-body components to investigate phase separation at low protein concentrations, finding that RNA promotes formation of solid-like clusters.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ajay Singh Sawner, Soumik Ray, Preeti Yadav, Semanti Mukherjee, Rajlaxmi Panigrahi, Manisha Poudyal, Komal Patel, Dhiman Ghosh, Eric Kummerant, Ashutosh Kumar, Roland Riek, Samir K. Maji
Summary: Studies have shown that the liquid-liquid phase separation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) strongly depends on the presence of salts in vitro, promoting hydrophobic interactions by neutralizing charges. The process can either occur spontaneously or be delayed depending on specific conditions.
Article
Biophysics
Jai S. Singh, T. K. Sajeev, Rajlaxmi Panigrahi, Pearl Cherry, Nimisha A. Panchakshari, Vaibhav K. Shukla, Ashutosh Kumar, Ram K. Mishra
Summary: The endoparasitic pathogen Plasmodium falciparum employs protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications to establish infections. The species specificity of the Plasmodium SUMOylation pathway is governed by the interaction between E1 and E2 enzymes. This study found a unidirectional cross-species interaction between Pf-SUMO and human E2, while Hs-SUMO1 failed to interact with Pf-E2. The efficacy and specificity of SUMO-Ubc9 interactions are determined by surface-accessible aspartates of Pf-SUMO. Critical residues of the Pf-Ubc9 N terminus are responsible for diminished Hs-SUMO1 and Pf-Ubc9 interaction.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rakesh Krishnan, Srivastav Ranganathan, Samir K. Maji, Ranjith Padinhateeri
Summary: Phase separation of biomolecules can be mediated by both specific and non-specific interactions, which play important roles in polymer systems. The interplay between specific and non-specific interaction strengths affects the phase separation of polymers and the formation of mature aggregates. We find that weaker non-specific interactions promote phase separation, while stronger non-specific interactions prevent the transition to a mature state. Additionally, the degree of participation of non-core regions in attractive interactions also significantly influences the self-assembled states of polymers.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Srivastav Ranganathan, Eugene Shakhnovich
Summary: This study investigates the physical basis of structural diversity in condensed phases of multi-domain RNA-binding proteins using simulations. The results reveal a highly cooperative first-order transition between disordered structures and an ordered phase, as well as the impact of homodomain and heterodomain interactions on the variety of structures.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ambuja Navalkar, Ajoy Paul, Arunima Sakunthala, Satyaprakash Pandey, Amit Kumar Dey, Sandhini Saha, Sarthak Sahoo, Mohit Kumar Jolly, Tushar K. Maiti, Samir K. Maji
Summary: This study reveals that p53 can form amyloids, which disrupt the normal functions of the protein and contribute to cancer development. Targeting key molecules affected by p53 amyloid formation can reverse the oncogenic phenotype and induce apoptosis in cells.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Surabhi Mehra, Sahil Ahlawat, Harish Kumar, Debalina Datta, Ambuja Navalkar, Nitu Singh, Komal Patel, Laxmikant Gadhe, Pradeep Kadu, Rakesh Kumar, Narendra N. Jha, Arunima Sakunthala, Ajay S. Sawner, Ranjith Padinhateeri, Jayant B. Udgaonkar, Vipin Agarwal, Samir K. Maji
Summary: This study demonstrates the structure-function relationship of two polymorphs (PMFs and HMFs) based on alpha-Syn aggregation intermediates. These polymorphs show distinct structural differences and cellular activities, which have important implications for the occurrence and propagation of synucleinopathies.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Srivastav Ranganathan, Junlang Liu, Eugene Shakhnovich
Summary: Biomolecular condensates are functional assemblies that can exist in various physical states, such as liquid-droplet phase, hydrogels, and solid assemblies. Aberrant transitions between these states can lead to loss-of-function or enhanced toxic function. The essay reviews the structural and viscoelastic roots of aberrant liquid-solid transitions and emphasizes the different mechanisms that can alter the material state of assemblies.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jeong-Ki Kim, Narendra N. Jha, Tomoyuki Awano, Charlotte Caine, Kishore Gollapalli, Emily Welby, Seung-Soo Kim, Andrea Fuentes-Moliz, Xueyong Wang, Zhihua Feng, Fusako Sera, Taishi Takeda, Shunichi Homma, Chien -Ping Ko, Lucia Tabares, Allison D. Ebert, Mark M. Rich, Umrao R. Monani
Summary: Scientists have discovered a synaptic chaperone variant called Hspa8G470R that can suppress spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and improve neuromuscular function in model mice. The variant alters SMN2 splicing and stimulates the formation of a tripartite chaperone complex critical for synaptic homeostasis. This study provides new insights into how deficiency of the SMN protein causes motor neuron disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Srivastav Ranganathan, Pouria Dasmeh, Seth Furniss, Eugene Shakhnovich
Summary: Phosphorylation can prevent the liquid-solid transition of intracellular condensates containing FUS, thereby avoiding their transformation into amyloids. Simulations show that the number and spatial arrangement of phosphorylation sites affect the intracluster dynamics, preventing conversion to amyloids. Furthermore, experiments confirm that phosphorylation can effectively reduce the beta-sheet propensity in amyloid-prone fragments of FUS. Evolutionary analysis reveals that mammalian FUS proteins have amyloid-prone stretches and nearby phosphorylation sites, suggesting the development of a protective mechanism against liquid-solid transitions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Narendra N. Jha, Jeong-Ki Kim, Yoon-Ra Her, Umrao R. Monani
Summary: This article discusses the implications of imperfect treatment administration on the outcomes of skeletal muscle in patients with SMA, as well as the role of SMN in regulating muscle health. It also presents strategies to restore muscle function for better treatment results.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pradeep Kadu, Laxmikant Gadhe, Ambuja Navalkar, Komal Patel, Rakesh Kumar, Murali Sastry, Samir K. Maji
Summary: Biomolecules interact with metals, producing nanostructured hybrid materials. However, the relationship between the physical properties of biomolecules and the resulting nanomaterial morphologies is not well understood. Through the study of amyloidogenic proteins/peptides and their pH conditions, we establish principles for the growth of gold nanocrystals and predict their morphology. We also investigate the nucleation and crystal growth mechanism of gold nanostructures and demonstrate the effective isolation of intact nanostructures from amyloid templates using protein digestion.