Mitochondria Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration: Who Comes First?

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) encompass an assorted array of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, each characterised by distinct clinical manifestations and underlying pathological mechanisms. While some cases have a genetic basis, many NDs occur sporadically. Despite their differences, these diseases commonly feature chronic neuroinflammation as a hallmark.

Structural Integrity of Nucleolin Is Required to Suppress TDP-43-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Yeast and Human Cell Models.

The Transactivating response (TAR) element DNA-binding of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is mainly implicated in the regulation of gene expression, playing multiple roles in RNA metabolism. Pathologically, it is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in a class of neurodegenerative diseases broadly going under the name of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). A common hallmark of most forms of such diseases is the presence of TDP-43 insoluble inclusions in the cell cytosol.

Ca signalling: A common language for organelles crosstalk in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by multifactorial pathogenic mechanisms. Familial PD is linked with genetic mutations in genes whose products are either associated with mitochondrial function or endo-lysosomal pathways. Of note, mitochondria are essential to sustain high energy demanding synaptic activity of neurons and alterations in mitochondrial Ca signaling have been proposed as causal events for neurodegenerative process, although the mechanisms responsible for the selective loss of specific neuronal populations in the different neurodegenerative diseases is still not clear.

The ataxia-linked E1081Q mutation affects the sub-plasma membrane Ca-microdomains by tuning PMCA3 activity.

Calcium concentration must be finely tuned in all eukaryotic cells to ensure the correct performance of its signalling function. Neuronal activity is exquisitely dependent on the control of Ca homeostasis: its alterations ultimately play a pivotal role in the origin and progression of many neurodegenerative processes. A complex toolkit of Ca pumps and exchangers maintains the fluctuation of cytosolic Ca concentration within the appropriate threshold.

Serum Metabolomics and Proteomics to Study the Antihypertensive Effect of Protein Extracts from .

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for premature death worldwide and significantly contributes to the development of all major cardiovascular disease events. The management of high blood pressure includes lifestyle changes and treatment with antihypertensive drugs. Recently, it was demonstrated that a diet supplemented with (TM) extracts is useful in the management of numerous pathologies, including hypertension.

Nucleolin: a cell portal for viruses, bacteria, and toxins.

The main localization of nucleolin is the nucleolus, but this protein is present in multiple subcellular sites, and it is unconventionally secreted. On the cell surface, nucleolin acts as a receptor for various viruses, some bacteria, and some toxins. Aim of this review is to discuss the characteristics that make nucleolin able to act as receptor or co-receptor of so many and different pathogens.

SOD1 in ALS: Taking Stock in Pathogenic Mechanisms and the Role of Glial and Muscle Cells.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. While the exact causes of ALS are still unclear, the discovery that familial cases of ALS are related to mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a key antioxidant enzyme protecting cells from the deleterious effects of superoxide radicals, suggested that alterations in SOD1 functionality and/or aberrant SOD1 aggregation strongly contribute to ALS pathogenesis. A new scenario was opened in which, thanks to the generation of SOD1 related models, different mechanisms crucial for ALS progression were identified.

Willd. Extract Protects Neuronal Cells from Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage.

Oxidative stress (OS) and the resulting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammation play a pivotal role in the neuronal loss occurring during the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, promising future drugs that would prevent or slow down the progression of neurodegeneration should possess potent radical-scavenging activity. Willd.

Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Tethering and Ca Fluxes by TDP-43 via GSK3β.

Mitochondria-ER contacts (MERCs), tightly regulated by numerous tethering proteins that act as molecular and functional connections between the two organelles, are essential to maintain a variety of cellular functions. Such contacts are often compromised in the early stages of many neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43, a nuclear protein mainly involved in RNA metabolism, has been repeatedly associated with ALS pathogenesis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Perturbations of the Proteome and of Secreted Metabolites in Primary Astrocytes from the hSOD1(G93A) ALS Mouse Model.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease whose pathophysiology is largely unknown. Despite the fact that motor neuron (MN) death is recognized as the key event in ALS, astrocytes dysfunctionalities and neuroinflammation were demonstrated to accompany and probably even drive MN loss. Nevertheless, the mechanisms priming astrocyte failure and hyperactivation are still obscure.

Short Linear Motifs Characterizing Snake Venom and Mammalian Phospholipases A2.

Snake venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) have sequences and structures very similar to those of mammalian group I and II secretory PLA2s, but they possess many toxic properties, ranging from the inhibition of coagulation to the blockage of nerve transmission, and the induction of muscle necrosis. The biological properties of these proteins are not only due to their enzymatic activity, but also to protein-protein interactions which are still unidentified. Here, we compare sequence alignments of snake venom and mammalian PLA2s, grouped according to their structure and biological activity, looking for differences that can justify their different behavior.

Nucleolin Rescues TDP-43 Toxicity in Yeast and Human Cell Models.

TDP-43 is a nuclear protein involved in pivotal processes, extensively studied for its implication in neurodegenerative disorders. TDP-43 cytosolic inclusions are a common neuropathologic hallmark in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related diseases, and it is now established that TDP-43 misfolding and aggregation play a key role in their etiopathology. TDP-43 neurotoxic mechanisms are not yet clarified, but the identification of proteins able to modulate TDP-43-mediated damage may be promising therapeutic targets for TDP-43 proteinopathies.

Microglia in Prion Diseases: Angels or Demons?

Prion diseases are rare transmissible neurodegenerative disorders caused by the accumulation of a misfolded isoform (PrP) of the cellular prion protein (PrP) in the central nervous system (CNS). Neuropathological hallmarks of prion diseases are neuronal loss, astrogliosis, and enhanced microglial proliferation and activation. As immune cells of the CNS, microglia participate both in the maintenance of the normal brain physiology and in driving the neuroinflammatory response to acute or chronic (e.

ALS-Associated SOD1(G93A) Decreases SERCA Pump Levels and Increases Store-Operated Ca Entry in Primary Spinal Cord Astrocytes from a Transgenic Mouse Model.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons (MNs), probably by a combination of cell- and non-cell-autonomous processes. The past decades have brought many important insights into the role of astrocytes in nervous system function and disease, including the implication in ALS pathogenesis possibly through the impairment of Ca-dependent astrocyte-MN cross-talk. In this respect, it has been recently proposed that altered astrocytic store-operated Ca entry (SOCE) may underlie aberrant gliotransmitter release and astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity in ALS.

The Link of the Prion Protein with Ca Metabolism and ROS Production, and the Possible Implication in Aβ Toxicity.

The cellular prion protein (PrP) is an ubiquitous cell surface protein mostly expressed in neurons, where it localizes to both pre- and post-synaptic membranes. PrP aberrant conformers are the major components of mammalian prions, the infectious agents responsible for incurable neurodegenerative disorders. PrP was also proposed to bind aggregated misfolded proteins/peptides, and to mediate their neurotoxic signal.

Single cell analysis reveals the involvement of the long non-coding RNA Pvt1 in the modulation of muscle atrophy and mitochondrial network.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important players in the regulation of several aspects of cellular biology. For a better comprehension of their function, it is fundamental to determine their tissue or cell specificity and to identify their subcellular localization. In fact, the activity of lncRNAs may vary according to cell and tissue specificity and subcellular compartmentalization.

Regulation of ER-mitochondria contacts by Parkin via Mfn2.

Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a Parkinson's disease (PD) related gene, translocates to impaired mitochondria and drives their elimination via autophagy, a process known as mitophagy. Mitochondrial pro-fusion protein Mitofusins (Mfn1 and Mfn2) were found to be a target for Parkin mediated ubiquitination. Mfns are transmembrane GTPase embedded in the outer membrane of mitochondria, which are required on adjacent mitochondria to mediate fusion.

The Prion Protein Regulates Synaptic Transmission by Controlling the Expression of Proteins Key to Synaptic Vesicle Recycling and Exocytosis.

The cellular prion protein (PrP), whose misfolded conformers are implicated in prion diseases, localizes to both the presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic density. To explore possible molecular contributions of PrP to synaptic transmission, we utilized a mass spectrometry approach to quantify the release of glutamate from primary cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) expressing, or deprived of (PrP-KO), PrP, following a depolarizing stimulus. Under the same conditions, we also tracked recycling of synaptic vesicles (SVs) in the two neuronal populations.

Generation and validation of novel adeno-associated viral vectors for the analysis of Ca homeostasis in motor neurons.

A finely tuned Ca homeostasis in restricted cell domains is of fundamental importance for neurons, where transient Ca oscillations direct the proper coordination of electro-chemical signals and overall neuronal metabolism. Once such a precise regulation is unbalanced, however, neuronal functions and viability are severely compromised. Accordingly, disturbed Ca metabolism has often been claimed as a major contributor to different neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that is characterised by selective motor neuron (MN) damage.

The prion protein regulates glutamate-mediated Ca entry and mitochondrial Ca accumulation in neurons.

The cellular prion protein (PrP) whose conformational misfolding leads to the production of deadly prions, has a still-unclarified cellular function despite decades of intensive research. Following our recent finding that PrP limits Ca entry via store-operated Ca channels in neurons, we investigated whether the protein could also control the activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). To this end, we compared local Ca movements in primary cerebellar granule neurons and cortical neurons transduced with genetically encoded Ca probes and expressing, or not expressing, PrP Our investigation demonstrated that PrP downregulates Ca entry through each specific agonist-stimulated iGluR and after stimulation by glutamate.

Absolute quantification of myosin heavy chain isoforms by selected reaction monitoring can underscore skeletal muscle changes in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Skeletal muscle fibers contain different isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) that define distinctive contractile properties. In light of the muscle capacity to adapt MyHC expression to pathophysiological conditions, a rapid and quantitative assessment of MyHC isoforms in small muscle tissue quantities would represent a valuable diagnostic tool for (neuro)muscular diseases. As past protocols did not meet these requirements, in the present study we applied a targeted proteomic approach based on selected reaction monitoring that allowed the absolute quantification of slow and fast MyHC isoforms in different mouse skeletal muscles with high reproducibility.

Almost a century of prion protein(s): From pathology to physiology, and back to pathology.

Prions are one of the few pathogens whose name is renowned at all population levels, after the dramatic years pervaded by the fear of eating prion-infected food. If now this, somehow irrational, scare of bovine meat inexorably transmitting devastating brain disorders is largely subdued, several prion-related issues are still unsolved, precluding the design of therapeutic approaches that could slow, if not halt, prion diseases. One unsolved issue is, for example, the role of the prion protein (PrP), whole conformational misfolding originates the prion but whose physiologic reason d'etre in neurons, and in cells at large, remains enigmatic.

The prion protein constitutively controls neuronal store-operated Ca(2+) entry through Fyn kinase.

The prion protein (PrP(C)) is a cell surface glycoprotein mainly expressed in neurons, whose misfolded isoforms generate the prion responsible for incurable neurodegenerative disorders. Whereas PrP(C) involvement in prion propagation is well established, PrP(C) physiological function is still enigmatic despite suggestions that it could act in cell signal transduction by modulating phosphorylation cascades and Ca(2+) homeostasis. Because PrP(C) binds neurotoxic protein aggregates with high-affinity, it has also been proposed that PrP(C) acts as receptor for amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and that PrP(C)-Aβ binding mediates AD-related synaptic dysfunctions following activation of the tyrosine kinase Fyn.

Age-dependent neuromuscular impairment in prion protein knockout mice.

Introduction: The cellular prion protein (PrP(C) ) is commonly recognized as the precursor of prions, the infectious agents of the fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. Despite extensive effort, the physiological role of PrP(C) is still ambiguous. Evidence has suggested that PrP(C) is involved in different cellular functions, including peripheral nerve integrity and skeletal muscle physiology.