Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tibor Szenasi, Gabor Turu, Laszlo Hunyady
Summary: beta-arrestins, initially known for their role in desensitizing rhodopsin and other G protein-coupled receptors, interact with the cytoskeletal system, including microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments. They regulate the activity of microtubules by recruiting signaling proteins and interacting with assembly proteins that control the actin cytoskeleton and intermediate filaments. Dysregulation of the cytoskeletal system is implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Therefore, beta-arrestins are potential targets for future treatments of these diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ian H. Guldner, Tony Wyss-Coray
Summary: An analysis of mice with tau protein, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease, demonstrates that immune cells work together to cause tau-mediated neurodegeneration, and that existing clinic drugs can combat this decline.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorit Trudler, Swagata Ghatak, Stuart A. Lipton
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease, represent a significant social and economic burden due to increasing prevalence and lack of effective therapies. Lack of reliable models has hindered the development of treatments, but human-induced pluripotent stem cell technology offers a promising alternative to complement animal models for disease modeling and drug discovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jannatun Nayem Namme, Asim Kumar Bepari, Hirohide Takebayashi
Summary: The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells comprises microtubules, intermediate filaments, and actin filaments, with cofilin playing a crucial role in regulating actin dynamics in CNS development and function. Cofilin's activities are tightly controlled by various factors, such as phosphorylation and oxidative stress. Recent research has highlighted the significant impact of cofilin dysregulation on neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing its importance in CNS physiology and pathophysiology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asher Mullard
Summary: Pharmaceutical companies are submitting their anti-amyloid drug candidates for approval, but concerns remain over the controversial precedent set by Biogen's aducanumab.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas S. Webberley, Ryan J. Bevan, Joshua Kerry-Smith, Jordanna Dally, Daryn R. Michael, Sophie Thomas, Meg Rees, James E. Morgan, Julian R. Marchesi, Mark A. Good, Sue F. Plummer, Duolao Wang, Timothy R. Hughes
Summary: This study assessed the neuroprotective potential of the Lab4P probiotic consortium in aging and metabolic syndrome-associated neurodegenerative pathologies. The results showed that supplementation with probiotics prevented cognitive decline, hippocampal neuron deterioration, and inflammation in mice. In human cell culture models, probiotic metabolites demonstrated a neuroprotective capability against beta-amyloid challenge. Overall, these findings suggest that Lab4P has the potential to be a neuroprotective agent and support further research in other neurodegenerative conditions in animal models and human studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivana Raffaele, Serena Silvestro, Emanuela Mazzon
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and miRNA dysregulation can impair MAPK signaling during AD pathogenesis. This review discusses the molecular interactions between miRNAs and MAPKs in AD, based on evidence from experimental models. It is found that miRNA deregulation can regulate MAPK signaling in different stages of AD, and modifying miRNAs involved in MAPK regulation can improve cognitive deficits in AD animal models. MiR-132, in particular, shows neuroprotective functions by inhibiting A beta and Tau depositions and oxidative stress through ERK/MAPK1 signaling modulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thomas Guiselin, Cedric Lecoutey, Christophe Rochais, Patrick Dallemagne
Summary: Some diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, require multiple drugs for treatment. However, using drug cocktails may lead to adverse effects, interactions, or low adherence. Pleiotropic drugs, which combine multiple activities in a single molecule, can help overcome these issues and produce a synergistic effect. This article reviews different types of pleiotropic drugs, focusing on their structural design.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonora Ficiara, Ilaria Stura, Caterina Guiot
Summary: Alterations in iron homeostasis during aging can lead to increased iron levels and oxidative damage. Abnormal accumulation of iron in the brain has been proposed as a biomarker for neurodegeneration, but there is uncertainty regarding the link between brain iron accumulation and aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sara Chavoshinezhad, Elmira Beirami, Esmael Izadpanah, Marco Feligioni, Kambiz Hassanzadeh
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by cognitive decline, neurofibrillary tangles, and amyloid plaques. The involvement of non-apoptotic cell death, particularly necroptosis and ferroptosis, in the neurodegenerative mechanisms of AD has gained significant attention. This review discusses the features and mechanisms of necroptosis and ferroptosis, as well as the latest therapies targeting these processes in AD animal/cell models and human research.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Mohammad Rafi Khezri, Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and its main cause is still unknown. Neuronal death due to various pathologic changes is considered to be the main cause. Caspases, a group of proteases involved in cellular apoptosis and other cellular responses, have been found to play a central role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Targeting caspases may be a suitable therapeutic option to slow the progression of the disease.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladimir Sukhorukov, Dmitry Voronkov, Tatiana Baranich, Natalia Mudzhiri, Alina Magnaeva, Sergey Illarioshkin
Summary: Aging is associated with cognitive decline due to accumulated damage to brain cells, with mitophagy playing a crucial role in managing mitochondrial quality and quantity. Mitophagy defects contribute to aging and age-related diseases, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sung Wook Kim, Jun Ho Lee, Bumjung Kim, Gabsik Yang, Jong Uk Kim
Summary: Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, with increasing incidence rates due to population aging. The exact cause and treatment methods are unknown, but research suggests specific proteins play a role in these diseases. Medications available currently only delay disease progression and have adverse effects, increasing interest in natural products with fewer side effects. This study reviewed 16 papers and found promising mechanisms of action for natural products in treating these diseases, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting their potential as alternative treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Maria Dolores Perez-Carrion, Inmaculada Posadas
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and current therapies are ineffective, driving the development of new therapies. Dendrimers (DDs) offer a multifunctional platform for developing nanosystems. DDs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), increase drug bioavailability in the brain, and reduce synthesis of specific targets. They also show promise as anti-amyloidogenic and anti-inflammatory agents, with potential for ND diagnosis. Overall, DDs are emerging as promising alternatives for ND therapies, providing neuroprotection and limiting damage.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alfonso Martinisi, Martin Flach, Frederik Sprenger, Stephan Frank, Markus Tolnay, David T. Winkler
Summary: The study showed that toxic tau species causing neuronal dysfunction can be cleared without inducing seeding effects, suggesting an effective therapeutic intervention in tauopathies. Moreover, recovered mice did not develop more motor impairment or tau pathology in the long term compared to control groups.
