Reduced protein stability of human DJ-1/PARK7 L166P, linked to autosomal recessive Parkinson disease, is due to direct endoproteolytic cleavage by the proteasome

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by dopaminergic dysfunction and degeneration. DJ-1/PARK7 mutations have been linked with a familial form of early onset PD. In this study, we found that human DJ-1 wild type and the missense mutants M26I, R98Q, A104T and D149A were stable proteins in cells, only the L166P mutant was unstable. In parallel, the former were not degraded and the L166P mutant was directly degraded in vitro by proteasome-mediated endoproteolytic cleavage. Furthermore, genetic evidence in fission yeast showed the direct involvement of proteasome in the degradation of human DJ-1 L166P and the corresponding L169P mutant of SPAC22E12.03c, the human orthologue of DJ-1 in Schizosaccharomyces Pombe, as their protein levels were increased at restrictive temperature in fission yeast (mts4 and pts1-732) harboring temperature sensitive mutations in proteasomal subunits. In total, our results provide evidence that direct proteasomal endoproteolytic cleavage of DJ-1 L166P is the mechanism of degradation contributing to the loss-of-function of the mutant protein, a property not shared by other DJ-1 missense mutants associated with PD.     

Parkinson's disease DJ-1 L166P alters rRNA biogenesis by exclusion of TTRAP from the nucleolus and sequestration into cytoplasmic aggregates via TRAF6

Mutations in PARK7/DJ-1 gene are associated to autosomal recessive early onset forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although large gene deletions have been linked to a loss-of-function phenotype, the pathogenic mechanism of missense mutations is less clear. The L166P mutation causes misfolding of DJ-1 protein and its degradation. L166P protein may also accumulate into insoluble cytoplasmic aggregates with a mechanism facilitated by the E3 ligase TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Upon proteasome impairment L166P activates the JNK/p38 MAPK apoptotic pathway by its interaction with TRAF and TNF Receptor Associated Protein (TTRAP). When proteasome activity is blocked in the presence of wild-type DJ-1, TTRAP forms aggregates that are localized to the cytoplasm or associated to nucleolar cavities, where it is required for a correct rRNA biogenesis. In this study we show that in post-mortem brains of sporadic PD patients TTRAP is associated to the nucleolus and to Lewy Bodies, cytoplasmic aggregates considered the hallmark of the disease. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, misfolded mutant DJ-1 L166P alters rRNA biogenesis inhibiting TTRAP localization to the nucleolus and enhancing its recruitment into cytoplasmic aggregates with a mechanism that depends in part on TRAF6 activity. This work suggests that TTRAP plays a role in the molecular mechanisms of both sporadic and familial PD. Furthermore, it unveils the existence of an interplay between cytoplasmic and nucleolar aggregates that impacts rRNA biogenesis and involves TRAF6.     

Causes of Parkinson’s disease: genetics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">DJ-1</Emphasis>

The identification of Mendelian mutations in rare forms of familial Parkinsons disease (PD) have provided significant insights into the molecular pathogenesis of this common complex disorder. DJ-1 is the third of four genes known to be definitively causal in familial PD, the three others being -synuclein, parkin and the recently identified PINK1. Mutations in the DJ-1 gene were identified in two European families, a Dutch kindred harbouring a large homozygous genomic deletion encompassing exons 1–5 of the gene and an Italian kindred with a homozygous L166P missense mutation. The clinical phenotype of the two families was similar to that of parkin cases. Age of onset was in the mid-thirties with good responsiveness to l-dopa and slow disease progression. Focal dystonias and blepharospasm were also evident as were behavioural disturbances early in the course of the disease. To date, there are no studies of pathological material from known DJ-1 patients. It therefore remains to be determined whether these patients form Lewy bodies and/or Lewy neurites, the eosinophilic fibrillary inclusions that contain predominantly -synuclein and that are the pathological hallmark of PD.     

Structural impact of three Parkinsonism-associated missense mutations on human DJ-1

A number of missense mutations in the oxidative stress response protein DJ-1 are implicated in rare forms of familial Parkinsonism. The best-characterized Parkinsonian DJ-1 missense mutation, L166P, disrupts homodimerization and results in a poorly folded protein. The molecular basis by which the other Parkinsonism-associated mutations disrupt the function of DJ-1, however, is incompletely understood. In this study we show that three different Parkinsonism-associated DJ-1 missense mutations (A104T, E163K, and M26I) reduce the thermal stability of DJ-1 in solution by subtly perturbing the structure of DJ-1 without causing major folding defects or loss of dimerization. Atomic resolution X-ray crystallography shows that the A104T substitution introduces water and a discretely disordered residue into the core of the protein, E163K disrupts a key salt bridge with R145, and M26I causes packing defects in the core of the dimer. The deleterious effect of each Parkinsonism-associated mutation on DJ-1 is dissected by analysis of engineered substitutions (M26L, A104V, and E163K/R145E) that partially alleviate each of the defects introduced by the A104T, E163K and M26I mutations. In total, our results suggest that the protective function of DJ-1 can be compromised by diverse perturbations in its structural integrity, particularly near the junctions of secondary structural elements.     

Familial Parkinson's disease-associated L166P mutation disrupts DJ-1 protein folding and function

Mutations in DJ-1, a protein of unknown function, were recently identified as the cause for an autosomal recessive, early onset form of familial Parkinson's disease. Here we report that DJ-1 is a dimeric protein that exhibits protease activity but no chaperone activity. The protease activity was abolished by mutation of Cys-106 to Ala, suggesting that DJ-1 functions as a cysteine protease. Our studies revealed that the Parkinson's disease-linked L166P mutation impaired the intrinsic folding propensity of DJ-1 protein, resulting in a spontaneously unfolded structure that was incapable of forming a homodimer with itself or a heterodimer with wild-type DJ-1. Correlating with the disruption of DJ-1 structure, the L166P mutation abolished the catalytic function of DJ-1. Furthermore, as a result of protein misfolding, the L166P mutant DJ-1 was selectively polyubiquitinated and rapidly degraded by the proteasome. Together these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism by which loss-of-function mutations in DJ-1 lead to Parkinson's disease.     

Down regulation of DJ-1 enhances cell death by oxidative stress, ER stress, and proteasome inhibition

Mutations in DJ-1 gene have been linked to autosomal recessive early onset parkinsonism (AR-EOP). Although the mechanism of neuronal cell death due to DJ-1 mutation has not been fully elucidated, loss of DJ-1 function was considered to cause the phenotype. Here, we demonstrated that the down regulation of endogenous DJ-1 of the neuronal cell line by siRNA enhanced the cell death which was induced by oxidative stress, ER stress, and proteasome inhibition, but not by pro-apoptotic stimulus. The cell death with hydrogen peroxide was dramatically rescued by over-expression of wild-type DJ-1, but not by that of L166P mutant DJ-1. Furthermore, DJ-1 rescued the cell death caused by over-expression of Pael receptor, which was a substrate of Parkin, another gene product for autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism. These results suggest that loss of protective activity of DJ-1 from neuro-toxicity induced by these stresses contributes to neuronal cell death in AR-EOP with mutant DJ-1.     

L166P mutant DJ-1, causative for recessive Parkinson's disease,is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Mutations in a gene on chromosome 1, DJ-1, have been reported recently to be associated with recessive, earlyonset Parkinson's disease. While one mutation is a large deletion that is predicted to produce an effective knockout of the gene, the second is a point mutation, L166P, whose precise effects on protein function are unclear. In the present study, we show that L166P destabilizes DJ-1 protein and promotes its degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. A double mutant (K130R, L166P) was more stable than L166P, suggesting that this lysine residue contributes to stability of the protein. Subcellular localization was broadly similar for both wild type and L166P forms of the protein, indicating that the effect of the mutation is predominantly on protein stability. These observations are reminiscent of other recessive gene mutations that produce an effective loss of function. The L166P mutation has the simple effect of promoting DJ-1 degradation, thereby reducing net DJ-1 protein within the cell.     

DJ-1~（L166P）与DJ-1~（M26I）基因对NIH3T3细胞增殖和凋亡的比较

目的在细胞学水平比较DJ、DJ-1M26 I、DJ-1L166 P基因对NIH 3T3细胞增殖速率与凋亡的关系,为建立转基因动物模型及帕金森疾病发病机制研究奠定基础。方法分别将pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1、pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1L166 P和pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1M26 I重组质粒脂质体方法转染NIH 3T3细胞,500μg/ml G418压力筛选稳定克隆,对3种转染细胞在DNA水平、RNA水平和蛋白质水平进行鉴定,采用MTT染色方法和Annexin V-FITC试剂盒进行转染阳性克隆细胞的细胞活力与细胞凋亡检测。结果 pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1、pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1L166 P和pcDNA3.1/myc-His-DJ-1M26 I重组质粒转染NIH 3T3细胞经G418筛选后,PCR方法检测分别获得1个、4个、3个阳性细胞克隆,RT-PCR及Western blot方法进行DJ-1-His基因表达检测,结果均证明外源插入基因的表达,Caspase-3 RNA水平检测DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I组表达高于正常NIH 3T3细胞组,而DJ-1组caspase-3转录水平相对最低,MTT实验结果初步证明转染DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I基因的NIH3T3阳性细胞组细胞增殖速率均低于DJ-1组和正常NIH 3T3细胞组（P〈0.05）,转染DJ-1基因的NIH 3T3阳性细胞增殖速率与正常NIH 3T3细胞相比无明显差别;细胞凋亡检测表明转染DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I基因的NIH3T3阳性细胞凋亡率均高于正常NIH 3T3细胞,转染DJ-1基因的NIH 3T3阳性细胞凋亡率低于正常NIH 3T3细胞（P〈0.05）。结论 DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I基因突变均降低NIH3T3细胞增殖速率,DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I基因突变更易导致NIH 3T3细胞的凋亡,DJ-1L166 P和DJ-1M26 I基因突变对NIH3T3细胞增殖速率和细胞凋亡影响是相似的。     

Destabilization of DJ-1 by familial substitution and oxidative modifications: implications for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by oxidative stress and protein aggregation. Both toxic phenomena are mitigated by DJ-1, a homodimeric protein with proposed antioxidant and chaperone activities. The neuroprotective function of DJ-1 is modulated by oxidation of cysteine 106, a residue that may act as an oxidative stress sensor. Loss-of-function mutations in the DJ-1 gene have been linked to early onset PD, and age-dependent over-oxidation of DJ-1 is thought to contribute to sporadic PD. The familial mutant L166P fails to dimerize and is rapidly degraded, suggesting that protein destabilization accounts for the dysfunction of this mutant. In this study, we investigated how the structure and stability of DJ-1 are impacted by two other pathogenic substitutions (M26I and E64D) and by over-oxidation with H2O2. Whereas the recombinant wild-type protein and E64D both adopted a stable dimeric structure, M26I showed an increased propensity to aggregate and decreased secondary structure. Similar to M26I, over-oxidized wild-type DJ-1 exhibited reduced secondary structure, and this property correlated with destabilization of the dimer. The engineered mutant C106A had a greater thermodynamic stability and was more resistant to oxidation-induced destabilization than the wild-type protein. These results suggest that (i) the M26I substitution and over-oxidation destabilize dimeric DJ-1, and (ii) the oxidation of cysteine 106 contributes to DJ-1 destabilization. Our findings provide a structural basis for DJ-1 dysfunction in familial and sporadic PD, and they suggest that dimer stabilization is a reasonable therapeutic strategy to treat both forms of this disorder.     

L166P mutant DJ-1 promotes cell death by dissociating Bax from mitochondrial Bcl-XL

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Mutations or deletions in DJ-1/PARK7 gene are causative for recessive forms of early onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Wild-type DJ-1 has cytoprotective roles against cell death through multiple pathways. The most commonly studied mutant DJ-1(L166P) shifts its subcellular distribution to mitochondria and renders cells more susceptible to cell death under stress stimuli. We previously reported that wild-type DJ-1 binds to Bcl-XL and stabilizes it against ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced rapid degradation. However, the mechanisms by which mitochondrial DJ-1(L166P) promotes cell death under death stimuli are largely unknown. RESULTS: We show that DJ-1(L166P) is more prone to localize in mitochondria and it binds to Bcl-XL more strongly than wild-type DJ-1. In addition, UVB irradiation significantly promotes DJ-1(L166P) translocation to mitochondria and binding to Bcl-XL. DJ-1(L166P) but not wild-type DJ-1 dissociates Bax from Bcl-XL, thereby leading to Bax enrichment at outer mitochondrial membrane and promoting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in response to UVB irradiation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that wild-type DJ-1 protects cells and DJ-1(L166P) impairs cells by differentially regulating mitochondrial Bax/Bcl-XL functions.     

On the oligomeric state of DJ-1 protein and its mutants associated with Parkinson Disease. A combined computational and in vitro study

Mutations in the DJ-1 protein are present in patients suffering from familial Parkinson disease. Here we use computational methods and biological assays to investigate the relationship between DJ-1 missense mutations and the protein oligomeric state. Molecular dynamics calculations suggest that: (i) the structure of DJ-1 wild type (WT) in aqueous solution, in both oxidized and reduced forms, is similar to the crystal structure of the reduced form; (ii) the Parkinson disease-causing M26I variant is structurally similar to the WT, consistent with the experimental evidence showing the protein is a dimer as WT; (iii) R98Q is structurally similar to the WT, consistent with the fact that this is a physiological variant; and (iv) the L166P monomer rapidly evolves toward a conformation significantly different from WT, suggesting a change in its ability to oligomerize. Our combined computational and experimental approach is next used to identify a mutant (R28A) that, in contrast to L166P, destabilizes the dimer subunit-subunit interface without significantly changing secondary structure elements.     

Association of DJ-1 with chaperones and enhanced association and colocalization with mitochondrial Hsp70 by oxidative stress

DJ-1 is a novel oncogene and causative gene for familial form of the Parkinson's disease (PD). DJ-1 has been shown to play a role in anti-oxidative stress by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The onset of PD is thought to be caused by oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury, which leads to protein aggregation that results in neuronal cell death. However, the mechanism by which DJ-1 triggers the onset of PD is still not clear. In this study, we analyzed association and localization of DJ-1 and its mutants with various chaperones. The results showed that DJ-1 and its mutants were associated with Hsp70, CHIP and mtHsp70/Grp75, a mitochondria-resident Hsp70, and that L166P and M26I mutants found in PD patients were strongly associated with Hsp70 and CHIP compared to wild-type and other DJ-1 mutants. DJ-1 and its mutants were colocalized with Hsp70 and CHIP in cells. Furthermore, association and colocalization of wildtype DJ-1 with mtHsp70 in mitochondria were found to be enhanced by treatment of cells with H₂O₂. These results suggest that translocation of DJ-1 to mitochondria after oxidative stress is carried out in association with chaperones.     

DJ-1 has a role in antioxidative stress to prevent cell death

Deletion and point (L166P) mutations of DJ-1 have recently been shown to be responsible for the onset of familial Parkinson's disease (PD, PARK7). The aim of this study was to determine the role of DJ-1 in PD. We first found that DJ-1 eliminated hydrogen peroxide in vitro by oxidizing itself. We then found that DJ-1 knockdown by short interfering RNA rendered SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells susceptible to hydrogen peroxide-, MPP+- or 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death and that cells harbouring mutant forms of DJ-1, including L166P, became susceptible to death in parallel with the loss of oxidized forms of DJ-1. These results clearly showed that DJ-1 has a role in the antioxidative stress reaction and that mutations of DJ-1 lead to cell death, which is observed in PD.     

Structural effects of Parkinson's disease linked DJ-1 mutations

Mutations in the protein DJ-1 are associated with familial forms of Parkinson's disease, indicating that DJ-1 may be involved in pathways related to the etiology of this disorder. Here we have used solution state NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopies to evaluate the extent of structural perturbations associated with five different Parkinson's disease linked DJ-1mutations: L166P, E64D, M26I, A104T, and D149A. Comparison of the data with those obtained for the wild-type protein shows that the L166P mutation leads to severe and global destabilization and unfolding of the protein structure, while the structure of the E64D mutation, as expected, is nearly unperturbed. Interestingly, the remaining three mutants all show different degrees of structural perturbation, which are accompanied by a reduction in the thermodynamic stability of the protein. The observed structural and thermodynamic differences are likely to underlie any functional variations between these mutants and the wild type, which in turn are likely responsible for the pathogenicity of these mutations.     

Differential effects of Parkinson's disease-associated mutations on stability and folding of DJ-1

Mutations in the PARK7/DJ-1 gene cause autosomal-recessive Parkinson's disease. In some patients the gene is deleted. The molecular basis of disease in patients with point mutations is less obvious. We have investigated the molecular properties of [L166P]DJ-1 and the novel variant [E64D]DJ-1. When transfected into non-neuronal and neuronal cell lines, steady-state expression levels of [L166P]DJ-1 were dramatically lower than wild-type [WT]DJ-1 and [E64D]DJ-1. Cycloheximide and pulse-chase experiments revealed that the decreased expression levels of [L166P]DJ-1 were because of accelerated protein turnover. Proteasomal degradation was not the major pathway of DJ-1 breakdown because treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 caused only minimal accumulation of DJ-1, even of the very unstable [L166P]DJ-1 mutant. Because of the structural resemblance of DJ-1 with bacterial cysteine proteases, we considered an autoproteolytic mechanism. However, neither pharmacological inhibition nor site-directed mutagenesis of the putative active site residue Cys-106 stabilized DJ-1. To gain further insight into the structural defects of DJ-1 mutants, human [WT]DJ-1 and both mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli. As in eukaryotic cells, expression levels of [L166P]DJ-1 were dramatically reduced compared with [WT]DJ-1 and [E64D]DJ-1. Circular dichroism spectrometry revealed that the solution structures of [WT]DJ-1 and [E64D]DJ-1 are rich in beta-strand and alpha-helix conformation. Alpha-helices were more susceptible to thermal denaturation than the beta-sheet, and [WT]DJ-1 was more flexible in this regard than [E64D]DJ-1. Thus, structural defects of [E64D]DJ-1 only become apparent upon denaturing conditions, whereas the L166P mutation causes a drastic defect that leads to excessive degradation.     

BAG1 restores formation of functional DJ-1 L166P dimers and DJ-1 chaperone activity

Mutations in the gene coding for DJ-1 protein lead to early-onset recessive forms of Parkinson’s disease. It is believed that loss of DJ-1 function is causative for disease, although the function of DJ-1 still remains a matter of controversy. We show that DJ-1 is localized in the cytosol and is associated with membranes and organelles in the form of homodimers. The disease-related mutation L166P shifts its subcellular distribution to the nucleus and decreases its ability to dimerize, impairing cell survival. Using an intracellular foldase biosensor, we found that wild-type DJ-1 possesses chaperone activity, which is abolished by the L166P mutation. We observed that this aberrant phenotype can be reversed by the expression of the cochaperone BAG1 (Bcl-2–associated athanogene 1), restoring DJ-1 subcellular distribution, dimer formation, and chaperone activity and ameliorating cell survival.     

The oxidation state of DJ-1 regulates its chaperone activity toward alpha-synuclein

DJ-1 has been reported to have chaperone activity by preventing the aggregation of some proteins, and by structural analogy to Hsp31. The L166P mutation has been linked to a familial early onset form of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the aggregation of alpha-synuclein is believed to be a critical step in the etiology of PD, we have investigated the interaction of wild-type DJ-1 and its oxidized forms with alpha-synuclein. Native (unoxidized) DJ-1 did not inhibit alpha-synuclein fibrillation, and no evidence for stable interactions between alpha-synuclein and native DJ-1 was observed. However, DJ-1 is very susceptible to oxidation by the addition of two oxygen atoms to form the sulfinic acid of Cys106 (2O DJ-1) (no 1O oxidized state is detectable). 2O DJ-1 was readily prepared by the addition of H(2)O(2) at concentrations up to a 20-fold molar excess. The oxidation of Cys106 to the sulfinic acid had minimal effect on the structural properties of DJ-1. However, 2O DJ-1 was very effective in preventing the fibrillation of alpha-synuclein, and only this form of DJ-1 appears to have significant anti-aggregation properties against alpha-synuclein. Further oxidation of DJ-1 leads to loss of some secondary structure, and to loss of the ability to inhibit alpha-synuclein fibrillation. Our observations confirm the suggestion that DJ-1 may act as an oxidative-stress-induced chaperone to prevent alpha-synuclein fibrillation. Since oxidative stress has been associated with PD, this observation may explain why mutations of DJ-1 could be a contributing factor in PD, and also indicates that excess oxidative stress could also lead to enhanced alpha-synuclein aggregation and hence PD.