Superoxide Dismutase 1 Oxidation as a Mechanism of Cell Death in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Superoxide Dismutase 1 Oxidation as a Mechanism of Cell Death in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Author: Leilanie Clayton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 182
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is an adult-onset, progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. Pathologically, it is characterized by a loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem and motor cortex leading to progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and death. ALS presents as both a sporadic (SALS) and familial (FALS) illness. Interestingly, over 100 mutations of the CuZn-Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) gene have been reported to be dominantly inherited in ALS families. SOD1 is a 17KD protein that contains one copper and one zinc atom. The known function of this enzyme is to convert superoxide to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. It was first thought that the toxicity of different SOD1 mutants linked to ALS resulted from decreased free-radical scavenging activity. However, studies show that mutant SOD1 enzymes cause motor neuron degeneration via a gain of harmful properties. The nature of the gain-of-toxic function in mutant SOD1 is not clear. Recent studies suggest that SOD1 itself is a target of oxidative stress. Human SOD1 has four cysteine residues, Cys6, Cys57, Cys111, and Cys146. An internal disulfide bond exists between Cys57 and Cys146. This disulfide bond is highly conserved in SOD1, making the protein considerably strong, while the remaining two cysteine residues are free and prone to post-translational modifications. Here we show that free cysteine residues in SOD1 are available to be modified by mal PEG (Maleimide polyethylene glycol) and AMS, and that this modification decreases with disease progression. Our data suggests that cysteine residues in SOD1 are post-translationally modified and may play a significant role in the development of the disease.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Author: Ricardo Tapia
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 191
Release: 2015-02-11
Genre: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ISBN: 2889193764

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which was described since 1869 by Jean Martin Charcot, is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective and progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons of the cerebral cortex, brainstem and the spinal cord. The cognitive process is not affected and is not merely the result of aging because may occur at young ages. The only known cause of the disease is associated with genetic mutations, mainly in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (familial ALS), whereas there is no known cause of the sporadic form of ALS (SALS), which comprises >90% of cases. Both ALS types develop similar histopathological and clinical characteristics, and there is no treatment or prevention of the disease. Because effective treatments for ALS, as for other neurodegenerative diseases, can only result from the knowledge of their cellular and molecular pathophysiological mechanisms, research on such mechanisms is essential. Although progress in neurochemical, physiological and clinical investigations in the last decades has identified several mechanisms that seem to be involved in the cell death process, such as glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, alterations of inhibitory circuits, inflammatory events, axonal transport deficits, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and energy failure, the understanding of the origin and temporal progress of the disease is still incomplete and insufficient. Clearly, there is a need of further experimental models and approaches to discern the importance of such mechanisms and to discover the factors that determine the selective death of motor neurons characteristic of ALS, in contrast to other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Whereas studies in vitro in cell cultures, tissue slices or organotypic preparations can give useful information regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms, the experiments in living animal models obviously reflect more closely the situation in the human disease, provided that the symptoms and their development during time mimics as close as possible those of the human disease. It is necessary to correlate the experimental findings in vitro with those in vivo, as well as those obtained in genetic models with those in non-genetic models, aiming at designing and testing therapeutic strategies based on the results obtained.

The Role of Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Altered Calcium Homeostasis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: From Current Developments in the Laboratory to Clinical Treatments

The Role of Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Altered Calcium Homeostasis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: From Current Developments in the Laboratory to Clinical Treatments
Author: Manoj Kumar Jaiswal
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2017-04-17
Genre:
ISBN: 2889451461

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive, devastating and fatal disease characterized by selective loss of upper and lower motor neurons of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, spinal cord and muscle atrophy. In spite of many years of research, the pathogenesis of ALS is still not well understood. ALS is a multifaceted genetic disease, in which genetic susceptibility to motor neuron death interacts with environmental factors and there is still no cure for this deleterious disease. At present, there is only one FDA approved drug, Riluzole which according to past studies only modestly slows the progression of the disease, and improves survival by up to three months. The suffering of the ALS patients, and their families is enormous and the economic burden is colossal. There is therefore a pressing need for new therapies. Different molecular pathways and pathological mechanisms have been implicated in ALS. According to past studies, altered calcium homeostasis, abnormal mitochondrial function, protein misfolding, axonal transport defects, excessive production of extracellular superoxide radicals, glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, inflammatory events, and activation of oxidative stress pathways within the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum can act as major contributor that eventually leads to loss of connection between muscle and nerve ultimately resulting to ALS. However, the detailed molecular and cellular pathophysiological mechanisms and origin and temporal progression of the disease still remained elusive. Ongoing research and future advances will likely advance our improve understanding about various involved pathological mechanism ultimately leading to discoveries of new therapeutic cures. Importantly, clinical biomarkers of disease onset and progression are thus also urgently needed to support the development of the new therapeutic agents and novel preventive and curative strategies. Effective translation from pre-clinical to clinical studies will further require extensive knowledge regarding drug activity, bioavailability and efficacy in both the pre-clinical and clinical setting, and proof of biological activity in the target tissue. During the last decades, the development of new therapeutic molecules, advance neuroimaging tools, patient derived induced stem cells and new precision medicine approaches to study ALS has significantly improved our understanding of disease. In particular, new genetic tools, neuroimaging methods, cellular probes, biomarker study and molecular techniques that achieve high spatiotemporal resolution have revealed new details about the disease onset and its progression. In our effort to provide the interested reader, clinician and researchers a comprehensive summaries and new findings in this field of ALS research, hereby we have created this electronic book which comprises of twenty seven chapters having various reviews, perspective and original research articles. All these chapters and articles in this book not only summarize the cutting-edge techniques, approaches, cell and animal models to study ALS but also provide unprecedented coverage of the current developments and new hypothesis emerging in ALS research. Some examples are novel genetic and cell culture based models, mitochondria-mediated therapy, oxidative stress and ROS mechanism, development of stem cells and mechanism-based therapies as well as novel biomarkers for designing and testing effective therapeutic strategies that can benefit ALS patients who are at the earlier stages in the disease. I am extremely grateful to all the contributors to this book and want to thank them for their phenomenal efforts. Manoj Kumar Jaiswal, Ph.D. February 5, 2017 New York, NY

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Neuronal Death

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Neuronal Death
Author: Irene Ceballos-Picot
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 391
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3662225166

This book examines current knowledge and recent advances in the study of fundamental processes involved in neuronal death, particularly oxidative stress as a causal agent or risk factor. The author presents discussion of oxidative stress in neuronal apoptosis and its role in the neuropathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases exemplified by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Author: Lawrence H. Lash
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 527
Release: 2013-10-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1483218619

Methods in Toxicology, Volume 2: Mitochondrial Dysfunction provides a source of methods, techniques, and experimental approaches for studying the role of abnormal mitochondrial function in cell injury. The book discusses the methods for the preparation and basic functional assessment of mitochondria from liver, kidney, muscle, and brain; the methods for assessing mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in intact organs; and the structural aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction are addressed. The text also describes chemical detoxification and metabolism as well as specific metabolic reactions that are especially important targets or indicators of damage. The methods for measurement of alterations in fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism and for the analysis and manipulation of oxidative injury and antioxidant systems are also considered. The book further tackles additional methods on mitochondrial energetics and transport processes; approaches for assessing impaired function of mitochondria; and genetic and developmental aspects of mitochondrial disease and toxicology. The text also looks into mitochondrial DNA synthesis, covalent binding to mitochondrial DNA, DNA repair, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of developing individuals and cellular differentiation. Microbiologists, toxicologists, biochemists, and molecular pharmacologists will find the book invaluable.

Oxidants in Biology

Oxidants in Biology
Author: Giuseppe Valacchi
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2008-06-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1402083998

Oxidants, like other aspects of life, involves tradeoffs. Oxidants, whether intentionally produced or by-products of normal metabolism can either mediate a variety of critical biological processes but when present inappropriately cause extensive damage to biological molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids). These effects can lead to either damage that is a major contributor to aging and degenerative diseases (or to other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune-system decline, brain dysfunction, and cataracts) or normal physiological function- tissue repair, defense against pathogens and cellular proliferation. On the other hand the body is equipped with a complex antioxidant/oxidant handling system which includes both enzymatic and nonenzymatic (i.e. small molecules such as flavonoids, ascorbate, tocopherol, and carotenoids) produced endogenously or derived from the diet. This book focuses on how the same molecules can have favorable or noxious effects depending on location, level and timing. Each chapter focuses on one particular molecule or oxidant/antioxidant system and provides a state of the art review of the current understanding regarding both positive and negative actions of the system under review.

Copper, Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Misfolding in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Copper, Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Misfolding in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Author: Rishi Rakhit
Publisher:
Total Pages: 494
Release: 2009
Genre:
ISBN: 9780494591352

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by motor neuron degeneration resulting in progressive paralysis and death. The only known cause of typical ALS is mutations in SOD1; these predominantly missense mutations produce a toxic gain-of-function in the enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The prevailing hypotheses regarding the mechanism of toxicity were (a) oxidative damage from aberrant SOD1 redox chemistry, and (b) misfolding of the mutant protein. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the mutant SOD1 (mSOD1) misfolding and toxicity.To interrogate the in vivo misfolding pathway of SOD1, we used its high-resolution structure to create an antibody that reacts with monomer/misfolded SOD1 but not the native dimer. Upon verifying the reactivity of this antibody, we showed that monomer/misfolded SOD1 is found in a human case of familial ALS and in transgenic animal models of ALS. Misfolded SOD1 is found primarily in affected cells, motor neurons. Misfolded SOD1 is also initially absent, but appears prior to symptom onset. These observations together suggest a causal role for SOD1 misfolding through a monomeric intermediate in ALS pathogenesis.Because oxidation of SOD1 primarily affected the metal-binding His residues, we hypothesized that oxidation of wild-type, holo-SOD1 should lead to aggregation. Increasing the concentration of wild-type SOD1 in oxidation reactions produced aggregates similar to those observed earlier. Both wild-type and mSOD1 aggregation kinetics revealed an initial decrease in particle size rather than a monotonic increase using dynamic light scattering. This was consistent with the conversion of SOD1, normally an obligate homodimer, into monomers prior to aggregation. This observation was confirmed using analyatical ultracentrifugation. The common aggregation pathway for wild-type and mSOD1 suggested a mechanism for sporadic ALS caused by SOD1 misfolding.We proposed that oxidative damage to SOD1 itself could cause its misfolding and aggregation. To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected purified SOD1 in vitro to metal catalyzed oxidation. Oxidation of SOD1 produced aggregates reminiscent of those observed in ALS pathology. Aggregation propensity of zinc-deficient SOD1 and several mSOD1s known to have lower zinc-binding affinity was proportional to partial unfolding. Oxidation of SOD1 caused conversion of several His residues to 2-oxo-histidine.

Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules

Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules
Author: Sangdun Choi
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012-07-09
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781441904607

Biological processes are driven by complex systems of functionally interacting signaling molecules. Thus, understanding signaling molecules is essential to explain normal or pathological biological phenomena. A large body of clinical and experimental data has been accumulated over these years, albeit in fragmented state. Hence, systems biological approaches concomitant with the understanding of each molecule are ideal to delineate signaling networks/pathways involved in the biologically important processes. The control of these signaling pathways will enrich our healthier life. Currently, there are more than 30,000 genes in human genome. However, not all the proteins encoded by these genes work equally in order to maintain homeostasis. Understanding the important signaling molecules as completely as possible will significantly improve our research-based teaching and scientific capabilities. This encyclopedia presents 350 biologically important signaling molecules and the content is built on the core concepts of their functions along with early findings written by some of the world’s foremost experts. The molecules are described by recognized leaders in each molecule. The interactions of these single molecules in signal transduction networks will also be explored. This encyclopedia marks a new era in overview of current cellular signaling molecules for the specialist and the interested non-specialist alike During past years, there were multiple databases to gather this information briefly and very partially. Amidst the excitement of these findings, one of the great scientific tasks of the coming century is to bring all the useful information into a place. Such an approach is arduous but at the end will infuse the lacunas and considerably be a streamline in the understanding of vibrant signaling networks. Based on this easy-approach, we can build up more complicated biological systems.