Early and Late Pathomechanisms in Alzheimer’s Disease: From Zinc to Amyloid-β Neurotoxicity

There are several systemic and intracerebral pathologic conditions, which limit provision and utilization of energy precursor metabolites in neuronal cells. Energy deficits cause excessive depolarization of neuronal cells triggering glutamate-zinc evoked excitotoxic cascade. The intracellular zinc excess hits several intraneuronal targets yielding collapse of energy balance and impairment functional and structural impairments cholinergic neurons. Disturbances in metabolism of acetyl-CoA, which is a direct precursor for energy, acetylcholine, N-acetyl-l-aspartate and acetylated proteins synthesis, play an important role in these pathomechanisms. Disruption of brain homeostasis activates slow accumulation of amyloid-β _1?42 , which extra and intracellular oligomeric deposits disrupt diverse transporting and signaling processes in all membrane structures of the cell. Both neurotoxic signals may combine aggravating detrimental effects on neuronal cell. Different neuroglial and neuronal cell types may display differential susceptibility to similar pathogenic insults depending on specific features of their energy and functional parameters. This review, basing on findings gained from cellular and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, discusses putative energy/acetyl-CoA dependent mechanism in early and late stages of neurodegeneration.     

Axonal protein synthesis and transport

Recent evidence has challenged our ideas about the nature of axonal protein synthesis and transport. Previous metabolic labeling evidence supported the idea that all axonal proteins were synthesized in the cell body and then transported as formed cytoplasmic structures into the axon. Recent evidence suggests that neither the synthesis nor the transport of axonal proteins is that simple. Though most axonal proteins do appear to be synthesized in the neuronal cell body, a small amount of protein appears to be synthesized intra-axonally in some axons. Though small in amount, intra-axonal protein synthesis may be important functionally in some axons. Recent experiments have also begun to identify the presence of a rich array of transport motors in axons, including many members of the kinesin, dynein and myosin families. Progress is being made in identifying which cargoes are being transported by which of these motors. Finally, recent experiments have addressed an old question about whether axoplasmic proteins are transported as filamentous polymers or as soluble components in axons. The answer is that both mechanism can be used in axons. For example, neurofilament protein can move in its particulate or polymeric state, while tubulin can move in its soluble or unpolymerized state.     

Neuronal ribonucleoprotein granules: Dynamic sensors of localized signals

Membrane‐less organelles, because of their capacity to dynamically, selectively and reversibly concentrate molecules, are very well adapted for local information processing and rapid response to environmental fluctuations. These features are particularly important in the context of neuronal cells, where synapse‐specific activation, or localized extracellular cues, induce signaling events restricted to specialized axonal or dendritic subcompartments. Neuronal ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles, or granules, are nonmembrane bound macromolecular condensates that concentrate specific sets of mRNAs and regulatory proteins, promoting their long‐distance transport to axons or dendrites. Neuronal RNP granules also have a dual function in regulating the translation of associated mRNAs: while preventing mRNA translation at rest, they fuel local protein synthesis upon activation. As revealed by recent work, rapid and reversible switches between these two functional modes are triggered by modifications of the networks of interactions underlying RNP granule assembly. Such flexible properties also come with a cost, as neuronal RNP granules are prone to transition into pathological aggregates in response to mutations, aging, or cellular stresses, further emphasizing the need to better understand the mechanistic principles governing their dynamic assembly and regulation in living systems.     

A biophysical study on molecular physiology of the uncoupling proteins of the central nervous system

Mitochondrial inner membrane uncoupling proteins (UCPs) facilitate transmembrane (TM) proton flux and consequently reduce the membrane potential and ATP production. It has been proposed that the three neuronal human UCPs (UCP2, UCP4 and UCP5) in the central nervous system (CNS) play significant roles in reducing cellular oxidative stress. However, the structure and ion transport mechanism of these proteins remain relatively unexplored. Recently, we reported a novel expression system for obtaining functionally folded UCP1 in bacterial membranes and applied this system to obtain highly pure neuronal UCPs in high yields. In the present study, we report on the structure and function of the three neuronal UCP homologues. Reconstituted neuronal UCPs were dominantly helical in lipid membranes and transported protons in the presence of physiologically-relevant fatty acid (FA) activators. Under similar conditions, all neuronal UCPs also exhibited chloride transport activities that were partially inhibited by FAs. CD, fluorescence and MS measurements and semi-native gel electrophoresis collectively suggest that the reconstituted proteins self-associate in the lipid membranes. Based on SDS titration experiments and other evidence, a general molecular model for the monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric functional forms of UCPs in lipid membranes is proposed. In addition to their shared structural and ion transport features, neuronal UCPs differ in their conformations and proton transport activities (and possibly mechanism) in the presence of different FA activators. The differences in FA-activated UCP-mediated proton transport could serve as an essential factor in understanding and differentiating the physiological roles of UCP homologues in the CNS.     

A few axonal proteins distinguish ventral spinal cord neurons from dorsal root ganglion neurons

A series of proteins putatively involved in the generation of axonal diversity was identified. Neurons from ventral spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were grown in a compartmented cell-culture system which offers separate access to cell somas and axons. The proteins synthesized in the neuronal cell somas and subsequently transported into the axons were selectively analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The patterns of axonal proteins were substantially less complex than those derived from the proteins of neuronal cell bodies. The structural and functional similarity of axons from different neurons was reflected in a high degree of similarity of the gel pattern of the axonal proteins from sensory ganglia and spinal cord neurons. Each axonal type, however, had several proteins that were markedly less abundant or absent in the other. These neuron-population enriched proteins may be involved in the implementation of neuronal diversity. One of the proteins enriched in dorsal root ganglia axons had previously been found to be expressed with decreased abundance when dorsal root ganglia axons were co-cultured with ventral spinal cord cells under conditions in which synapse formation occurs (P. Sonderegger, M. C. Fishman, M. Bokoum, H. C. Bauer, and P.G. Nelson, 1983, Science [Wash. DC], 221:1294-1297). This protein may be a candidate for a role in growth cone functions, specific for neuronal subsets, such as pathfinding and selective axon fasciculation or the initiation of specific synapses. The methodology presented is thus capable of demonstrating patterns of protein synthesis that distinguish different neuronal subsets. The accessibility of these proteins for structural and functional studies may contribute to the elucidation of neuron-specific functions at the molecular level.     

Dendritic mRNA: transport, translation and function

Many cellular functions require the synthesis of a specific protein or functional cohort of proteins at a specific time and place in the cell. Local protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites is essential for understanding how neural activity patterns are transduced into persistent changes in synaptic connectivity during cortical development, memory storage and other long-term adaptive brain responses. Regional and temporal changes in protein levels are commonly coordinated by an asymmetric distribution of mRNAs. This Review attempts to integrate current knowledge of dendritic mRNA transport, storage and translation, placing particular emphasis on the coordination of regulation and function during activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the adult mammalian brain.     

One axon,many kinesins: What's the logic?

A large number of membrane-bounded organelles, protein complexes, and mRNAs are transported along microtubules to different locations within the neuronal axon. Axonal transport in the anterograde direction is carried out by members of a superfamily of specialized motor proteins, the kinesins. All kinesins contain a conserved motor domain that hydrolyses ATP to generate movement along microtubules. Regions outside the motor domain are responsible for cargo binding and regulation of motor activity. Present in a soluble, inactive form in the cytoplasm, kinesins are activated upon cargo binding. Selective targeting of different types of kinesin motors to specific cargoes is directed by amino acid sequences situated in their variable tails. Cargo proteins with specific function at their destination, bind directly to specific kinesins for transport. Whereas most kinesins move to microtubule plus-ends, a small number of them move to microtubule minus-ends, and may participate in retrograde axonal transport. Axonal transport by kinesins has a logic: Fully assembled, multisubunit, functional complexes (e.g., ion channel complexes, signaling complexes, RNA-protein complexes) are transported to their destination by kinesin motors that interact transiently (i.e., during transport only) with one of the complexes' subunits.     

Myosin-Va facilitates the accumulation of mRNA/protein complex in dendritic spines

mRNA localization has an essential role in localizing cytoplasmic determinants, controlling the direction of protein secretion, and allowing the local control of protein synthesis in neurons. In neuronal dendrites, the localization and translocation of mRNA is considered as one of the molecular bases of synaptic plasticity. Recent imaging and functional studies revealed that several RNA-binding proteins form a large messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex that is involved in transport and translation of mRNA in dendrites. However, the mechanism of mRNA translocation into dendritic spines is unknown. Here, we show that an actin-based motor, myosin-Va, plays a significant role in mRNP transport in neuronal dendrites and spines. Myosin-Va was Ca2+-dependently associated with TLS, an RNA-binding protein, and its target RNA Nd1-L, an actin stabilizer. A dominant-negative mutant or RNAi of myosin-Va in neurons suppressed TLS accumulation in spines and further impaired TLS dynamics upon activation of mGluRs. The TLS translocation into spines was impeded also in neurons prepared from myosin-Va-null dilute-lethal (dl) mice, which exhibit neurological defects. Our results demonstrate that myosin-Va facilitates the transport of TLS-containing mRNP complexes in spines and may function in synaptic plasticity through Ca2+ signaling.     

The Intracellular Mobility of Nuclear Import Receptors and NLS Cargoes

We have investigated classical nuclear localization sequence (NLS) mediated protein trafficking by measuring biomolecular dynamics within living cells using two-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. By directly observing the behavior of specific molecules in their native cellular environment, it is possible to uncover functional details that are not apparent from traditional biochemical investigations or functional assays. We show that the intracellular mobility of NLS cargoes and their import receptor proteins, karyopherin-α and karyopherin-β, can be robustly measured and that quantitative comparison of intracellular diffusion coefficients provides new insights into nuclear transport mechanisms. Import cargo complexes are assembled throughout the cytoplasm, and their diffusion is slower than predicted by molecular weight due to specific interactions. Analysis of NLS cargo diffusion in the cytoplasm indicates that these interactions are likely disrupted by NLS cargo binding. Our results suggest that delivery of import receptors and NLS cargoes to nuclear pores may complement selective translocation through the pores as a functional mechanism for regulating transport of proteins into the nucleus.     

PDZ domain proteins of synapses

PDZ domains are protein-interaction domains that are often found in multi-domain scaffolding proteins. PDZ-containing scaffolds assemble specific proteins into large molecular complexes at defined locations in the cell. In the postsynaptic density of neuronal excitatory synapses, PDZ proteins such as PSD-95 organize glutamate receptors and their associated signalling proteins and determine the size and strength of synapses. PDZ scaffolds also function in the dynamic trafficking of synaptic proteins by assembling cargo complexes for transport by molecular motors. As key organizers that control synaptic protein composition and structure, PDZ scaffolds are themselves highly regulated by synthesis and degradation, subcellular distribution and post-translational modification.     

The role of calcium in the initiation of fast axonal transport

Incubation of neuronal cell bodies in a calcium-free medium depresses the amount, but not the rate, of fast axonal transport of [3H]protein. Under these conditions, which do not affect protein synthesis or general energy metabolism, less protein appears to be loaded onto the transport system. Depression of transport also is seen when cell bodies are exposed to medium containing Co2+; selective exposure of axons to this medium has no effect on transport. These findings have led to the concept of an initiation phase of fast axonal transport that comprises the events by which selected proteins are transferred from their polysomal sites of synthesis to the transport system. The divalent cation specificity of the Ca2+ requirement, and its occurrence subsequent to Golgi apparatus-associated glycosylation, suggest that proteins destined for fast axonal transport are routed through the soma in a manner similar to that of secretory proteins and integral membrane proteins in nonneural cells. This analogy is pursued to consider a scheme whereby Golgi-derived vesicles deliver fast-transported proteins to the axonal smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Possible roles of Ca2+ in the formation and exocytotic fusion of such vesicles are considered.     

GLIAL VERSUS NEURONAL ORIGIN OF MYELIN PROTEINS AND GLYCOPROTEINS STUDIED BY COMBINED INTRAOCULAR AND INTRACRANIAL LABELLING

Abstract— —The contribution of axonal transport to the production of myelin proteins and glycoproteins was investigated using the double labelling technique of combined intraocular and intracerebral injections in the same animal. Myelin and an axolemma-enriched fraction were isolated from pooled optic nerves, chiasma and optic tracts. Separation by gel electrophoresis showed that typical myelin proteins and glycoproteins were only significantly labelled by intracerebral injection. Intraocular injection labelled high molecular weight proteins other than the major Wolfgram protein and the major myelin glycoprotein. Fifteen days after intraocular injection the label was concentrated in a high molecular weight protein which migrated slightly more slowly than the major Wolfgram protein. The pattern of proteins and glycoproteins in myelin labelled by intraocular injection was very similar to that obtained in the axolemma-enriched fraction by the same route. These results indicate that neuronal metabolism and axonal transport do not contribute significantly to the synthesis of specific myelin proteins and glycoproteins, but suggest that the components of myelin fractions which are labelled by intraocular injection are contaminants of axolemmal origin. One of these glycoproteins may prove a useful marker of axolemma membranes.     

Vesicular and non-vesicular lipid export from the ER to the secretory pathway

The endoplasmic reticulum is the site of synthesis of most glycerophospholipids, neutral lipids and the initial steps of sphingolipid biosynthesis of the secretory pathway. After synthesis, these lipids are distributed within the cells to create and maintain the specific compositions of the other secretory organelles. This represents a formidable challenge, particularly while there is a simultaneous and quantitatively important flux of membrane components stemming from the vesicular traffic of proteins through the pathway, which can also vary depending on the cell type and status. To meet this challenge cells have developed an intricate system of interorganellar contacts and lipid transport proteins, functioning in non-vesicular lipid transport, which are able to ensure membrane lipid homeostasis even in the absence of membrane trafficking. Nevertheless, under normal conditions, lipids are transported in cells by both vesicular and non-vesicular mechanisms. In this review we will discuss the mechanism and roles of vesicular and non-vesicular transport of lipids from the ER to other organelles of the secretory pathway.     

Steroid-induced protein synthesis in giant-toad (Bufo marinus) urinary bladders. Correlation with natriferic activity.

We have identified a group of proteins (Mr approximately 70 000-80 000; pI approximately 5.5-6.0) in giant-toad (Bufo marinus) urinary bladders whose synthesis appears to be related to aldosterone-stimulated Na+ transport. Spironolactone, a specific mineralocorticoid antagonist in renal epithelia, inhibits the synthesis of these proteins as well as the natriferic effect of the hormone. Since a variety of other steroids (some of which are traditionally considered to be glucocorticoids) also stimulate Na+ transport in toad urinary bladders, we examined whether their natriferic activity was expressed in a fashion similar to that of aldosterone. Short-circuit current was used to measure Na+ transport, and epithelial-cell protein synthesis was detected with high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. At a concentration of approximately 100 nM, dexamethasone, corticosterone and aldosterone were equinatriferic. Dexamethasone and aldosterone had identical dose-response curves, maximal and half-maximal activity being evident at concentrations of approximately 100 nM and 10 nM respectively. In contrast, at a concentration of approximately 10 nM, corticosterone had no effect on Na+ transport. The natriferic activities of these three steroids correlate with their known affinities for the putative mineralocorticoid receptor in toad urinary bladders. Natriferic concentrations of dexamethasone and corticosterone (140 nM) induced the synthesis of proteins with characteristics identical with those induced by aldosterone. Spironolactone, at an antagonist/agonist ratio of 2000:1, inhibited steroid-induced Na+ transport and the synthesis of these proteins. Thus it appears that all natriferic steroids share a common mechanism of action in toad urinary bladders. Natriferic activity can be correlated not only with relative steroid-receptor affinity but also with the induction of a specific group of epithelial-cell proteins.     

Karyopherin flexibility in nucleocytoplasmic transport

Recent structural work on nuclear transport factors of the importin-beta superfamily of karyopherins has shown that these proteins are superhelices of HEAT repeats that are able to assume different conformations in different functional states. The inherent flexibility of these helicoids facilitates the accommodation of different binding partners by an induced-fit type of mechanism. Moreover, the energy stored by distorting these molecules may partially balance binding energies to enable assembly and disassembly of their complexes with relatively small energy changes. Flexibility appears to be an intrinsic feature of such superhelices and might be functionally important not only for karyopherins and nuclear transport, but also for HEAT repeat proteins from other biological systems.