Oligomerization of Cu,Zn-Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) by Docosahexaenoic Acid and Its Hydroperoxides In Vitro: Aggregation Dependence on Fatty Acid Unsaturation and Thiols.

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3, DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid highly enriched in the brain. This fatty acid can be easily oxidized yielding hydroperoxides as primary products. Cu, Zn-Superoxide dismutase (SOD1) aggregation is a common hallmark of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the molecular mechanisms behind their formation are not completely understood. Here we investigated the effect of DHA and its hydroperoxides (DHAOOH) on human SOD1 oligomerization in vitro. DHA induced the formation of high-molecular-weight (HMW) SOD1 species (>700 kDa). Aggregation was dependent on free thiols and occurred primarily with the protein in its apo-form. SOD1 incubation with DHA was accompanied by changes in protein structure leading to exposure of protein hydrophobic patches and formation of non-amyloid aggregates. Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that Cys 6 and Cys 111 in wild-type and Cys 6 in ALS-linked G93A mutant are required for aggregation. In contrast, DHAOOH did not induce HMW species formation but promoted abnormal covalent dimerization of apo-SOD1 that was resistant to SDS and thiol reductants. Overall, our data demonstrate that DHA and DHAOOH induce distinct types of apo-SOD1 oligomerization leading to the formation of HMW and low-molecular-weight species, respectively.

Avaliação do efeito do ácido docosahexaenoico e de seus hidroperóxidos na oligomerização de SOD1 em um modelo da doença esclerose lateral amiotrófica / Evaluation of the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and its hydroperoxides in oligomerization of SOD1 in a model of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) é uma doença progressiva e fatal causada pela degeneração seletiva dos neurônios motores do cérebro e medula. Dos casos familiares de ELA (fELA), 20% são causados por mutações pontuais no gene da sod1. O ácido docosahexaenoico (C22:6, n-3, DHA) é um ácido graxo altamente insaturado, sendo um dos principais ácidos graxos da massa cinzenta do cérebro. Estudos têm correlacionado mutações de SOD1 com a formação de agregados que poderiam ser induzidos por ácidos graxos insaturados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos e mecanismos do DHA e de seus hidroperóxidos (DHAOOH) na agregação de SOD1 in vitro. As análises de dicroísmo circular (CD) mostraram mudanças na estrutura secundária de ambas as proteínas apo-SOD1WT e G93A promovidas pelo DHA, resultando em aumento de superfície hidrofóbica e formação de estruturas do tipo beta-amilóide, como mostrado pelos ensaios do bis- ANS e Tioflavina, respectivamente. Estas mudanças resultam na formação de agregados amorfos como observado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Espécies de alto peso molecular foram observadas nas incubações do DHA com as formas apo da SOD1 por SDS-PAGE sob condições não redutoras e também por cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho. A formação dos agregados mostrou-se dependente de resíduos de Cys na sua forma desprotonada, visto que agregados não foram observados na presença de beta-mercaptoetanol e sua formação foi inibida na presença de bloqueador de tióis e em pH ácido. Além disso, análises por cromatografia de exclusão mostraram que a agregação é dependente da insaturação e conformação cis dos ácidos graxos. Comparativamente ao DHA, os hidroperóxidos do DHA tiveram um efeito menor na agregação de SOD1, porém revelaram a propriedade de induzir a dimerização covalente de SOD1. No geral, os dados mostram que o DHA induz a agregação de SOD1, através de um processo envolvendo a exposição de superfícies hidrofóbicas, formação de pontes dissulfeto e também de possíveis cross-links envolvendo reações do tipo "ene-tiol"

ALS is a progressive and fatal disease caused by selective degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Twenty percent of familial ALS (fALS) cases are caused mainly by point mutations in the sod1 gene. Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3, DHA) is a highly unsaturated fatty acid, wich is one of the main fatty acids in the cerebral gray matter. Studies have linked SOD1 mutations to the formation of aggregates that could be induced by unsaturated fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DHA on aggregation of SOD1 fALS mutants in vitro and its mechanisms. CD analysis shows changes in the secondary structure of both apo-SOD1WT and G93A promoted by DHA resulting in an increase in the surface hydrophobicity and formation of structures such as beta amyloid, which was also confirmed by bis-ANS assay and Thioflavin, respectively. These changes enhance the interaction of SOD1 and DHA, leading to amorphous aggregates as revealed by FESEM. Incubation of DHA with apo-SOD1 forms results in high-molecular weight species as detected by SDS-PAGE analyses under non-reducing conditions and also by size exclusion chromatography. This appears to require Cys residues in their thiolate forms because high aggregates are not observed under reducing conditions and also by size exclusion chromatography or at acidic pH. Also, size-exclusion chromatography indicates that the mutant apo-SOD1 aggregation is dependent on the unsaturation and cis-conformation of fatty acids. Compared to the DHA, DHAOOH had a minor effect on SOD1 aggregation, however revealed the ability to induce covalent dimerization of SOD1. Overall, the data suggest a mechanism of DHA aggregation, by a process involving exposure to hydrophobic surfaces, formation of disulfide bonds and also for possible cross-links involving reactions such "thiol-ene"