Solution conditions can promote formation of either amyloid protofilaments or mature fibrils from the HypF N-terminal domain

The HypF N-terminal domain has been found to convert readily from its native globular conformation into protein aggregates with the characteristics of amyloid fibrils associated with a variety of human diseases. This conversion was achieved by incubation at acidic pH or in the presence of moderate concentrations of trifluoroethanol. Electron microscopy showed that the fibrils grown in the presence of trifluoroethanol were predominantly 3-5 nm and 7-9 nm in width, whereas fibrils of 7-9 nm and 12-20 nm in width prevailed in samples incubated at acidic pH. These results indicate that the assembly of protofilaments or narrow fibrils into mature amyloid fibrils is guided by interactions between hydrophobic residues that may remain exposed on the surface of individual protofilaments. Therefore, formation and isolation of individual protofilaments appears facilitated under conditions that favor the destabilization of hydrophobic interactions, such as in the presence of trifluoroethanol.     

The most pathogenic transthyretin variant, L55P, forms amyloid fibrils under acidic conditions and protofilaments under physiological conditions.

The L55P transthyretin (TTR) familial amyloid polyneuropathy-associated variant is distinct from the other TTR variants studied to date and the wild-type protein in that the L55P tetramer can dissociate to the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate and form fibril precursors under physiological conditions (pH 7.0, 37 degrees C). The activation barrier associated with L55P-TTR tetramer dissociation is lower than the barrier for wild-type transthyretin dissociation, which does not form fibrils under physiological conditions. The L55P-TTR tetramer is also very sensitive to acidic conditions, readily dissociating to form the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate between pH 5.5-5.0 where the wild-type TTR adopts a nonamyloidogenic tetrameric structure. The formation of the L55P monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate involves subtle tertiary structural changes within the beta-sheet rich subunit as discerned from Trp fluorescence, circular dichroism analysis, and ANS binding studies. The assembly of the L55P-TTR amyloidogenic intermediate at physiological pH (pH 7.5) affords protofilaments that elongate with time. TEM studies suggest that the entropic barrier associated with filament assembly (amyloid fibril formation) is high in vitro, amyloid being defined by the laterally assembled four filament structure observed by Blake upon isolation of "fibrils" from the eye of a FAP patient. The L55P-TTR protofilaments formed in vitro bind Congo red and thioflavin T (albeit more weakly than the fibrils produced at acidic pH), suggesting that the structure observed probably represents an amyloid precursor. The structural continuum from misfolded monomer through protofilaments, filaments, and ultimately fibrils must be considered as a possible source of pathology associated with these diseases.     

Environmental conditions affect the kinetics of nucleation of amyloid fibrils and determine their morphology

To understand and tackle amyloid-related diseases, it is crucial to investigate the factors that modulate amyloid formation of proteins. Our previous studies proved that the N47A mutant of the α-spectrin SH3 (Spc-SH3) domain forms amyloid fibrils quickly under mildly acidic conditions. Here, we analyze how experimental conditions influence the kinetics of assembly and the final morphology of the fibrils. Early formation of curly fibrils occurs after a considerable conformational change of the protein and the concomitant formation of small oligomers. These processes are strongly accelerated by an increase in salt concentration and temperature, and to a lesser extent by a reduction in pH. The rate-limiting step in these events has a high activation enthalpy, which is significantly reduced by an increase in NaCl concentration. At low-to-moderate NaCl concentrations, the curly fibrils convert to straight and twisted amyloid fibrils after long incubation times, but only in the presence of soluble species in the mixture, which suggests that the curly fibrils and the twisted amyloid fibrils are diverging assembly pathways. The results suggest that the influence of environmental variables on protein solvation is crucial in determining the nucleation kinetics, the pathway of assembly, and the final fibril morphology.     

Size- and Age-Dependent Neurotoxicity of Engineered Metal Nanoparticles in Rats

Earlier we showed that chronic administration of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) from metals, e.g., Cu, Ag, or Al (50–60 nm, 50 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 1 week) alter blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and induce brain pathology in adult rats (age 18 to 22 weeks). However, effects of size-dependent neurotoxicity of NPs in vivo are still largely unknown. In present investigation, we examined the effects of different size ranges of the above-engineered NPs on brain pathology in rats. Furthermore, the fact that age is also an important factor in brain pathology was also investigated in our rat model. Our results showed that small-sized NPs induced the most pronounced BBB breakdown (EBA +480 to 680 %; radioiodine +850 to 1025 %), brain edema formation (+4 to 6 %) and neuronal injuries (+30 to 40 %), glial fibrillary acidic protein upregulation (+40 to 56 % increase), and myelin vesiculation (+30 to 35 % damage) in young animals as compared to controls. Interestingly, the oldest animals (30 to 35 weeks of age) also showed massive brain pathology as compared to young adults (18 to 20 weeks old). The Ag and Cu exhibited greater brain damage compared with Al NPs in all age groups regardless of their size. This suggests that apart from the size, the composition of NPs is also important in neurotoxicity. The very young and elderly age groups exhibited greater neurotoxicity to NPs suggests that children and elderly are more vulnerable to NPs-induced brain damage. The NPs-induced brain damage correlated well with the upregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity in the brain indicating that NPs-induced neurotoxicity may be mediated via increased production of nitric oxide, not reported earlier.     

Structural studies reveal that the diverse morphology of β2-microglobulin aggregates is a reflection of different molecular architectures

Amyloid deposition accompanies over 20 degenerative diseases in human, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases. Recent studies revealed the importance of other type of protein aggregates, e.g., non-specific aggregates, protofibrils, and small oligomers in the development of such diseases and proved their increased toxicity for living cells in comparison with mature amyloid fibrils. We carried out a comparative structural analysis of different monomeric and aggregated states of β₂-microglobulin, a protein responsible for hemodialysis-related amyloidosis. We investigated the structure of the native and acid-denatured states, as well as that of mature fibrils, immature fibrils, amorphous aggregates, and heat-induced filaments, prepared under various in vitro conditions. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the β-sheet compositions of immature fibrils, heat-induced filaments and amorphous aggregates are characteristic of antiparallel intermolecular β-sheet structure while mature fibrils are different from all others suggesting a unique overall structure and assembly. Filamentous aggregates prepared by heat treatment are of importance in understanding the in vivo disease because of their stability under physiological conditions, where amyloid fibrils and protofibrils formed at acidic pH depolymerize. Atomic force microscopy of heat-induced filaments represented a morphology similar to that of the low pH immature fibrils. At a pH close to the pI of the protein, amorphous aggregates were formed readily with association of the molecules in native-like conformation, followed by formation of intermolecular β-sheet structure in a longer time-scale. Extent of the core buried from the solvent in the various states was investigated by H/D exchange of the amide protons.     

Structural studies reveal that the diverse morphology of beta(2)-microglobulin aggregates is a reflection of different molecular architectures

Amyloid deposition accompanies over 20 degenerative diseases in human, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases. Recent studies revealed the importance of other type of protein aggregates, e.g., non-specific aggregates, protofibrils, and small oligomers in the development of such diseases and proved their increased toxicity for living cells in comparison with mature amyloid fibrils. We carried out a comparative structural analysis of different monomeric and aggregated states of beta(2)-microglobulin, a protein responsible for hemodialysis-related amyloidosis. We investigated the structure of the native and acid-denatured states, as well as that of mature fibrils, immature fibrils, amorphous aggregates, and heat-induced filaments, prepared under various in vitro conditions. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the beta-sheet compositions of immature fibrils, heat-induced filaments and amorphous aggregates are characteristic of antiparallel intermolecular beta-sheet structure while mature fibrils are different from all others suggesting a unique overall structure and assembly. Filamentous aggregates prepared by heat treatment are of importance in understanding the in vivo disease because of their stability under physiological conditions, where amyloid fibrils and protofibrils formed at acidic pH depolymerize. Atomic force microscopy of heat-induced filaments represented a morphology similar to that of the low pH immature fibrils. At a pH close to the pI of the protein, amorphous aggregates were formed readily with association of the molecules in native-like conformation, followed by formation of intermolecular beta-sheet structure in a longer time-scale. Extent of the core buried from the solvent in the various states was investigated by H/D exchange of the amide protons.     

Isolation and characterization of hog thyroid actin

When the thyroglobulin content is subtracted, actin represents approximately 4.6% of the total protein content in the hog thyroid gland. Actin has been isolated from acetone-dehydrated slices and purified to homogeneity by gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and two polymerization-depolymerization cycles. Purified actin (Mr = 42000) contains the beta and gamma species with a 2 to 1 stoichiometry. In the presence of 0.1 M KCl and 2 mM MgCl2 thyroid actin polymerized into 6 nm diameter filaments; under these conditions the critical concentration was 30 micrograms/ml and the intrinsic viscosity 4.7 dl/g.     

Alterations in erythrocyte membrane fluidity and Na+/K+-ATPase activity in chronic alcoholics

Ethanol disorders biological membranes causing perturbations in the bilayer and also by altering the physicochemical properties of membrane lipids. But, chronic alcohol consumption also increases nitric oxide (NO) production. There was no systemic study was done related to alcohol-induced production of NO and consequent formation of peroxynitrite mediated changes in biophysical and biochemical properties, structure, composition, integrity and function of erythrocyte membranes in chronic alcoholics. Hence, keeping all these conditions in mind the present study was undertaken to investigate the role of over produced nitric oxide on red cell membrane physicochemical properties in chronic alcoholics. Human male volunteers aged 44 ± 6 years with similar dietary habits were divided into two groups, namely nonalcoholic controls and chronic alcoholics (~125 g of alcohol at least five times per week for the past 10–12 years). Elevated nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma and lysate, changes in erythrocyte membrane individual phospholipid composition, increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, cholesterol and phospholipids ratio (C/P ratio) and anisotropic value (γ) with decreased sulfhydryl groups and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in alcoholics was evident from this study. RBC lysate NO was positively correlated with C/P ratio (r = 0.547) and anisotropic (γ) value (r = 0.428), Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was negatively correlated with RBC lysate NO (r = ?0.372) and anisotropic (γ) value (r = ?0.624) in alcoholics. Alcohol-induced overproduction of nitric oxide reacts with superoxide radicals to produce peroxynitrite, which appears to be responsible for changes in erythrocyte membrane lipids and the activity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.     

Effect of nitrate and l-arginine therapy on nitric oxide levels in serum, heart, and aorta of fetal hypothyroid rats

Reduced nitric oxide availability and a heterogeneous pattern of nitric oxide synthase activity in some tissues have been reported in hypothyroidism. This study aimed at determining the effects of oral nitrate and l-arginine administration on serum, heart, and aorta nitric oxide metabolite concentrations in fetal hypothyroid rats. In an experimental study, pregnant Wistar rats were administrated tap water or 0.02 % of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil in drinking water during pregnancy and their male pups were followed (n?=?8/group). In adult progeny, serum, heart, and aorta nitric oxide metabolite concentrations were measured by the Griess method after 1-week administration of sodium nitrate (500 mg/L) or l-arginine (2 %) in drinking water. Serum thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were also measured. Compared to controls, fetal hypothyroid progeny had significantly lower nitric oxide metabolite concentrations in heart (0.32?±?0.07 vs. 0.90?±?0.14 nmol/mg protein, p?=?0.004) and aorta (2.98±0.56 vs. 6.15±0.74 nmol/mg protein, p?=?0.011) tissues. Nitrate therapy restored heart nitric oxide metabolite levels decreased by fetal hypothyroidism, while l-arginine administration further decreased aorta nitric oxide metabolite levels. Sodium nitrate increased and l-arginine decreased serum nitric oxide metabolite levels in both control and fetal hypothyroid animals. In conclusion, nitrate therapy restores decreased heart nitric oxide metabolite levels, whereas l-arginine decreases aorta nitric oxide metabolite levels even further in fetal hypothyroid rats, findings relevant to the cardiovascular consequences of congenital hypothyroidism in adulthood.     

Thermodynamic and structural characteristics of collagen fibrils formed in vitro at different temperatures and concentrations

Analysis of the results of calorimetric study of reconstituted collagen (type I) fibrils, in particular, the half-width of the temperature transition, shows that the collagen packing density in the fibrils and the size of cooperative blocks therein depend on the assembly temperature and on the initial collagen concentration. The least dense fibrils are formed at subphysiological temperatures (25° or 30°C) and low concentration (0.3 mg/ml). The extent of ordering does not change upon doubling the concentration but increases upon quadrupling it. At physiological temperature (35°C) the fibrils are densely packed regardless of collagen concentration. The enthalpy of fibril assembly is minimal at 35°C, 1.2 mg/ml, and ionic strength of 0.17 M. The influence of temperature on particular steps of fibrillogenesis and the role of water in these processes are discussed.     

New insight into the shortening of the collagen fibril D-period in human cornea

Collagen fibrils type I display a typical banding pattern, so-called D-periodicity, of about 67 nm, when visualized by atomic force or electron microscopy imaging. Herein we report on a significant shortening of the D-period for human corneal collagen fibrils type I (21 ± 4 nm) upon air-drying, whereas no changes in the D-period were observed for human scleral collagen fibrils type I (64 ± 4 nm) measured under the same experimental conditions as the cornea. It was also found that for the corneal stroma fixed with glutaraldehyde and air-dried, the collagen fibrils show the commonly accepted D-period of 61 ± 8 nm. We used the atomic force microscopy method to image collagen fibrils type I present in the middle layers of human cornea and sclera. The water content in the cornea and sclera samples was varying in the range of .066–.085. Calculations of the D-period using the theoretical model of the fibril and the FFT approach allowed to reveal the possible molecular mechanism of the D-period shortening in the corneal collagen fibrils upon drying. It was found that both the decrease in the shift and the simultaneous reduction in the distance between tropocollagen molecules can be responsible for the experimentally observed effect. We also hypothesize that collagen type V, which co-assembles with collagen type I into heterotypic fibrils in cornea, could be involved in the observed shortening of the corneal D-period.     

Elucidation of binding mechanism and identification of binding site for an anti HIV drug, stavudine on human blood proteins

The binding of stavudine (STV) to two human blood proteins [human hemoglobin (HHb) and human serum albumin (HSA)] was studied in vitro under simulated physiological conditions by spectroscopic methods viz., fluorescence, UV absorption, resonance light scattering, synchronous fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and three-dimensional fluorescence. The binding parameters of STV–blood protein were determined from fluorescence quenching studies. Stern–Volmer plots indicated the presence of static quenching mechanism in the interaction of STV with blood proteins. The values of n close to unity indicated that one molecule of STV bound to one molecule of blood protein. The binding process was found to be spontaneous. Analysis of thermodynamic parameters revealed the presence of hydrogen bond and van der Waals forces between protein and STV. Displacement experiments indicated the binding of STV to Sudlow’s site I on HSA. Secondary structures of blood proteins have undergone changes upon interaction with STV as evident from the reduction of α-helices (from 46.11 % in free HHb to 38.34 % in STV-HHb, and from 66.44 % in free HSA to 52.26 % in STV–HSA). Further, the alterations in secondary structures of proteins in the presence of STV were confirmed by synchronous and 3D-fluorescence spectral data. The distance between the blood protein (donor) and acceptor (STV) was found to be 5.211 and 5.402 nm for STV–HHb and STV–HSA, respectively based on Föster’s non-radiative energy transfer theory. Effect of some metal ions was also investigated. The fraction of STV bound to HSA was found to be 87.8 %.     

Acetoacetate promotes the formation of fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

Acetoacetate (AA) is an important ketone body, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are defined as final products of glycation process whose production is influenced by the levels of ROS. The accumulation of AGEs in the body contributes to pathogenesis of many diseases including complications of diabetes, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Here, we evaluated the impact of AA on production of AGEs upon incubation of human serum albumin (HSA) with glucose. The effect of AA on the AGEs formation of HSA was studied under physiological conditions after incubation with glucose for 35 days. The physical techniques including circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to assess the impact of AA on formation and structural changes of glycated HSA (GHSA). Our results indicated that the secondary and tertiary structural changes of GHSA were increased in the presence of AA. The fluorescence intensity measurements of AGEs also showed an increase in AGEs formation. Acetoacetate has an activator effect in formation of AGEs through ROS production. The presence of AA may result in enhanced glycation in the presence of glucose and severity of complications associated with accumulation of AGEs.     

Glycosylation of human thyroglobulin and characterization by lectin affinity electrophoresis

Thyroglobulin, a 660 kDa glycoprotein, is the major product of protein synthesis in the thyroid gland. It has been suggested that modifications of thyroglobulin glycosylation occur in various thyroid disorders. In order to study possible changes in glycosylation of tissue thyroglobulin associated with thyroid disease, we have developed a lectin affinity electrophoresis system which allows characterization of small (less than 1 microgram) quantities of thyroglobulin. Human thyroglobulin was extracted and purified. Agarose gels were cast containing concanavalin A, Ricinus communis agglutinin, L-phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen at various concentrations. Purified human thyroglobulin was serially diluted, loaded onto lectin gels and electrophoresed. Concanavalin A, R. communis agglutinin and phytohaemagglutinin all bound thyroglobulin in a concentration-dependent manner. Pokeweed mitogen did not bind thyroglobulin. Purified thyroglobulin was treated with neuraminidase and endoglycosidase H. Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis revealed the migration of thyroglobulin to be modified by neuraminidase but not by endoglycosidase H. Lectin affinity electrophoresis of purified human thyroglobulin with and without enzyme treatment indicated the presence of: oligomannose structures as shown by concanavalin A reactivity and modification by endoglycosidase H, and complex oligosaccharides as shown by affinity for R. communis agglutinin and modification by neuraminidase. These structures are in keeping with the proposed patterns of glycosylation of human thyroglobulin and indicate suitability of the method for characterizing the glycosylation of small quantities of thyroglobulin.     

Elemental Zinc Is Inversely Associated with C-Reactive Protein and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with the destruction of liver parenchyma cell. It is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in most of the developed countries. Oxidative stress and altered levels of different trace elements in serum have been documented for different diseases including inflammation and many liver diseases. This study aims to evaluate the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), antioxidant vitamin C, C-reactive protein (CRP), and zinc (Zn) in CLD patients and to establish a correlation among the study parameters with the severity of inflammatory conditions of CLD. In this study, CLD patients and healthy volunteers were recruited. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were determined by colorimeter using enzymatic method. Serum non-enzymatic antioxidant vitamin C, reactive oxygen species nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by UV-spectrophotometric method. Trace element (Zn) levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Independent sample t test and Pearson’s correlation test were performed for statistical analysis using the statistical software package SPSS, Version 20. Studies showed that the MDA (p < 0.001), NO (p < 0.001), and CRP levels were significantly higher in CLD patients than in control subjects. The antioxidant vitamin C (p < 0.001) and trace element zinc (p < 0.001) were comparatively lower in the CLD patients than in control subjects. Elemental Zn showed an inverse relationship with MDA, NO, and CRP but positively correlated with antioxidant capacity, whereas MDA showed a positive correlation with CRP level. Thus, we conclude that attenuated level of Zn and antioxidant in serum play an important role in the inflammatory status of CLD patients by elevating the concentration of MDA, NO, and CRP.     

Effect of long-term injection of high doses of potassium iodide on iodine metabolism in rat thyroid gland

Concentration of thyroid hormones in the serum of the rats after 14-day injections of potassium iodide (1, 3, 10, 100, and 500 physiological daily doses) did not differ from the control values. Excessive administration of potassium iodide increased the total iodide content in the rat thyroid tissue by 60–121% (35–108% and 94–128% for the protein-bound and free iodide, respectively), indicating the activation of the uptake and organification of iodide. The long-term injection of both low and high doses of potassium iodide increased the activity of catalase by 8–18% and SOD by 33–50% and enhanced the level of toxic LPO products reacting with thiobarbituric acid by 15–38%. It is suggested that reactive oxygen species and the excessive iodination of proteins (particularly thyroglobulin) induced by the long-term administration of high doses of potassium iodide can play an important role in the development of thyroid dysfunctions and autoimmune diseases.     

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase tetramer dissociation and amyloid fibril formation induced by negatively charged membranes

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a multifunctional enzyme related with Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The ability of negatively charged membranes to induce a rapid formation of GAPDH amyloid fibrils has been demonstrated, but the mechanisms by which GAPDH reaches the fibrillar state remains unclear. In this report, we describe the structural changes undergone by GAPDH at physiological pH and temperature conditions right from its interaction with acidic membranes until the amyloid fibril is formed. According to our results, the GAPDH-membrane binding induces a β-structuring process along with a loss of quaternary structure in the enzyme. In this way, experimental evidences on the initial steps of GAPDH amyloid fibrils formation pathway are provided.     

Early stages of misfolding and association of beta2-microglobulin: insights from infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering

Conformational changes associated with the assembly of recombinant beta 2-microglobulin in vitro under acidic conditions were investigated using infrared spectroscopy and static and dynamic light scattering. In parallel, the morphology of the different aggregated species obtained under defined conditions was characterized by electron microscopy. The initial salt-induced aggregate form of beta 2-microglobulin, composed of small oligomers (dimers to tetramers), revealed the presence of beta-strands organized in an intramolecular-like fashion. Further particle growth was accompanied by the formation of intermolecular beta-sheet structure and led to short curved forms. An increase in temperature by only 25 degrees C was able to disaggregate these assemblies, followed by the formation of longer filamentous structures. In contrast, a rise in temperature up to 100 degrees C was associated with a reorganization of the short curved forms at the level of secondary structure and the state of assembly, leading to a species with a characteristic infrared spectrum different from those of all the other aggregates observed before, suggesting a unique overall structure. The infrared spectral features of this species were nearly identical to those of beta 2-microglobulin assemblies formed at low ionic strength with agitation, indicating the presence of fibrils, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. The observed spectroscopic changes suggest that the heat-triggered conversion of the short curved assemblies into fibrils involves a reorganization of the beta-strands from an antiparallel arrangement to a parallel arrangement, with the latter being characteristic of amyloid fibrils of beta 2-microglobulin.     

Deciphering the structure, growth and assembly of amyloid-like fibrils using high-speed atomic force microscopy

Formation of fibrillar structures of proteins that deposit into aggregates has been suggested to play a key role in various neurodegenerative diseases. However mechanisms and dynamics of fibrillization remains to be elucidated. We have previously established that lithostathine, a protein overexpressed in the pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer''s disease and present in the pathognomonic lesions associated with this disease, form fibrillar aggregates after its N-terminal truncation. In this paper we visualized, using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), growth and assembly of lithostathine protofibrils under physiological conditions with a time resolution of one image/s. Real-time imaging highlighted a very high velocity of elongation. Formation of fibrils via protofibril lateral association and stacking was also monitored revealing a zipper-like mechanism of association. We also demonstrate that, like other amyloid ß peptides, two lithostathine protofibrils can associate to form helical fibrils. Another striking finding is the propensity of the end of a growing protofibril or fibril to associate with the edge of a second fibril, forming false branching point. Taken together this study provides new clues about fibrillization mechanism of amyloid proteins.