Desmin forms toxic, seeding-competent amyloid aggregates that persist in muscle fibers.

Desmin-associated myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) has pathologic similarities to neurodegeneration-associated protein aggregate diseases. Desmin is an abundant muscle-specific intermediate filament, and disease mutations lead to its aggregation in cells, animals, and patients. We reasoned that similar to neurodegeneration-associated proteins, desmin itself may form amyloid. Desmin peptides corresponding to putative amyloidogenic regions formed seeding-competent amyloid fibrils. Amyloid formation was increased when disease-associated mutations were made within the peptide, and this conversion was inhibited by the anti-amyloid compound epigallocatechin-gallate. Moreover, a purified desmin fragment (aa 117 to 348) containing both amyloidogenic regions formed amyloid fibrils under physiologic conditions. Desmin fragment-derived amyloid coaggregated with full-length desmin and was able to template its conversion into fibrils in vitro. Desmin amyloids were cytotoxic to myotubes and disrupted their myofibril organization compared with desmin monomer or other nondesmin amyloids. Finally, desmin fragment amyloid persisted when introduced into mouse skeletal muscle. These data suggest that desmin forms seeding-competent amyloid that is toxic to myofibers. Moreover, small molecules known to interfere with amyloid formation and propagation may have therapeutic potential in MFM.

Detection of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) oligomers as initial intermediate species during aggregate formation.

Aggregates of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein) are a hallmark of the overlapping neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The process of TDP-43 aggregation remains poorly understood, and whether it includes formation of intermediate complexes is unknown. Here, we analyzed aggregates derived from purified TDP-43 under semidenaturing conditions, identifying distinct oligomeric complexes at the initial time points before the formation of large aggregates. We found that this early oligomerization stage is primarily driven by TDP-43's RNA-binding region. Specific binding to GU-rich RNA strongly inhibited both TDP-43 oligomerization and aggregation, suggesting that RNA interactions are critical for maintaining TDP-43 solubility. Moreover, we analyzed TDP-43 liquid-liquid phase separation and detected similar detergent-resistant oligomers upon maturation of liquid droplets into solid-like fibrils. These results strongly suggest that the oligomers form during the early steps of TDP-43 misfolding. Importantly, the ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations A315T and M337V significantly accelerate aggregation, rapidly decreasing the monomeric population and shortening the oligomeric phase. We also show that aggregates generated from purified TDP-43 seed intracellular aggregation detected by established TDP-43 pathology markers. Remarkably, cytoplasmic aggregate seeding was detected earlier for the A315T and M337V variants and was 50% more widespread than for WT TDP-43 aggregates. We provide evidence for an initial step of TDP-43 self-assembly into intermediate oligomeric complexes, whereby these complexes may provide a scaffold for aggregation. This process is altered by ALS-linked mutations, underscoring the role of perturbations in TDP-43 homeostasis in protein aggregation and ALS-FTD pathogenesis.

Aggregation of Full-length Immunoglobulin Light Chains from Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis (AL) Patients Is Remodeled by Epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

Intervention into amyloid deposition with anti-amyloid agents like the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is emerging as an experimental secondary treatment strategy in systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL). In both AL and multiple myeloma (MM), soluble immunoglobulin light chains (LC) are produced by clonal plasma cells, but only in AL do they form amyloid deposits in vivo We investigated the amyloid formation of patient-derived LC and their susceptibility to EGCG in vitro to probe commonalities and systematic differences in their assembly mechanisms. We isolated nine LC from the urine of AL and MM patients. We quantified their thermodynamic stabilities and monitored their aggregation under physiological conditions by thioflavin T fluorescence, light scattering, SDS stability, and atomic force microscopy. LC from all patients formed amyloid-like aggregates, albeit with individually different kinetics. LC existed as dimers, ∼50% of which were linked by disulfide bridges. Our results suggest that cleavage into LC monomers is required for efficient amyloid formation. The kinetics of AL LC displayed a transition point in concentration dependence, which MM LC lacked. The lack of concentration dependence of MM LC aggregation kinetics suggests that conformational change of the light chain is rate-limiting for these proteins. Aggregation kinetics displayed two distinct phases, which corresponded to the formation of oligomers and amyloid fibrils, respectively. EGCG specifically inhibited the second aggregation phase and induced the formation of SDS-stable, non-amyloid LC aggregates. Our data suggest that EGCG intervention does not depend on the individual LC sequence and is similar to the mechanism observed for amyloid-ß and α-synuclein.

Super-resolution Imaging of Amyloid Structures over Extended Times by Using Transient Binding of Single Thioflavin†T Molecules.

Oligomeric amyloid structures are crucial therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's and other amyloid diseases. However, these oligomers are too small to be resolved by standard light microscopy. We have developed a simple and versatile tool to image amyloid structures by using thioflavin T without the need for covalent labeling or immunostaining. The dynamic binding of single dye molecules generates photon bursts that are used for fluorophore localization on a nanometer scale. Thus, photobleaching cannot degrade image quality, allowing for extended observation times. Super-resolution transient amyloid binding microscopy promises to directly image native amyloid by using standard probes and record amyloid dynamics over minutes to days. We imaged amyloid fibrils from multiple polypeptides, oligomeric, and fibrillar structures formed during different stages of amyloid-ß aggregation, as well as the structural remodeling of amyloid-ß fibrils by the compound epi-gallocatechin gallate.

Amyloid-ß(1-42) Aggregation Initiates Its Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity.

The accumulation of amyloid ß peptide(1-42) (Aß(1-42)) in extracellular plaques is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). Several studies have suggested that cellular reuptake of Aß(1-42) may be a crucial step in its cytotoxicity, but the uptake mechanism is not yet understood. Aß may be present in an aggregated form prior to cellular uptake. Alternatively, monomeric peptide may enter the endocytic pathway and conditions in the endocytic compartments may induce the aggregation process. Our study aims to answer the question whether aggregate formation is a prerequisite or a consequence of Aß endocytosis. We visualized aggregate formation of fluorescently labeled Aß(1-42) and tracked its internalization by human neuroblastoma cells and neurons. ß-Sheet-rich Aß(1-42) aggregates entered the cells at low nanomolar concentration of Aß(1-42). In contrast, monomer uptake faced a concentration threshold and occurred only at concentrations and time scales that allowed Aß(1-42) aggregates to form. By uncoupling membrane binding from internalization, we found that Aß(1-42) monomers bound rapidly to the plasma membrane and formed aggregates there. These structures were subsequently taken up and accumulated in endocytic vesicles. This process correlated with metabolic inhibition. Our data therefore imply that the formation of ß-sheet-rich aggregates is a prerequisite for Aß(1-42) uptake and cytotoxicity.

Glucose directs amyloid-beta into membrane-active oligomers.

Oligomeric amyloid-ß 1-42 (Aß-42) peptides are considered to be the most toxic species connected to the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. However, not all aggregation conditions promote oligomer formation in vitro, raising the question whether oligomer formation in vivo also requires a specific suitable cellular environment. We recently found that interaction with neuronal membranes initiates aggregation of Aß-42 and neuronal uptake. Our data suggest that small molecules in the extracellular space can facilitate the formation of membrane-active Aß-42 oligomers. We analyzed the early stage of Aß-42 aggregation in the presence of glucose and sucrose and found that these sugars strongly favor Aß-42 oligomer formation. We characterized oligomers by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, immuno-transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence cross correlation spectroscopy. We found that Aß-42 spontaneously and rapidly forms low molecular weight oligomers in the presence of sugars. Slightly acidic pH (6.7-7) greatly favors oligomer formation when compared to the extracellular physiological pH (7.4). Circular dichroism demonstrated that these Aß-42 oligomers did not adopt a ß-sheet structure. Unstructured oligomeric Aß-42 interacted with membrane bilayers of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) and neuronal model cells, facilitated cellular uptake of Aß-42, and inhibition of mitochondrial activity. Our data therefore suggest that elevated concentrations of glucose within the range observed in diabetic individuals (10 mM) facilitate the formation of membrane-active Aß-42 oligomers.

Brazilin Removes Toxic Alpha-Synuclein and Seeding Competent Assemblies from Parkinson Brain by Altering Conformational Equilibrium.

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils, a major constituent of the neurotoxic Lewy Bodies in Parkinson's disease, form via nucleation dependent polymerization and can replicate by a seeding mechanism. Brazilin, a small molecule derived from red cedarwood trees in Brazil, has been shown to inhibit the fibrillogenesis of amyloid-beta (Aß) and α-syn as well as remodel mature fibrils and reduce cytotoxicity. Here we test the effects of Brazilin on both seeded and unseeded α-syn fibril formation and show that the natural polyphenol inhibits fibrillogenesis of α-syn by a unique mechanism that alters conformational equilibria in two separate points of the assembly mechanism: Brazilin preserves the natively unfolded state of α-syn by specifically binding to the compact conformation of the α-syn monomer. Brazilin also eliminates seeding competence of α-syn assemblies from Parkinson's disease patient brain tissue, and reduces toxicity of pre-formed assemblies in primary neurons by inducing the formation of large fibril clusters. Molecular docking of Brazilin shows the molecule to interact both with unfolded α-syn monomers and with the cross-ß sheet structure of α-syn fibrils. Our findings suggest that Brazilin has substantial potential as a neuroprotective and therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease.

Time resolved FRET measurement in various heterogeneous media using merocyanine dye as a donor.

Ultrafast fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a merocyanine dye to a Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecule in micelles formed by the surfactants SDS and DTAB and also in a catanionic vesicle formed by SDS and DTAB has been studied by picosecond time resolved emission spectroscopy. Here the dye acts as a donor molecule and R6G acts as the acceptor molecule. Multiple timescales of FRET have been detected, namely, an ultrafast component of 100-500 ps and relatively long component (1800-3300 ps). The different time scales are attributed to different donor-acceptor distances.

An electronic spectroscopic study of micellisation of surfactants and solvation of homomicelles formed by cationic or anionic surfactants using a solvatochromic electron donor acceptor dye.

Solvatochromic absorption and fluorescence bands of a donor-acceptor dye have been utilised for following the micellisation and for probing the polarity of the aqueous homomicellar phase provided separately by cationic (cetyltrimethylammonimum bromide, CTAB and dodecyltrimethylammonimum bromide, DTAB) and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate, SDS) surfactant. Results indicate that for a low concentration of surfactant (below cmc) the dye forms a dimer in aqueous solution. In a micellar media, however, the dye exists as monomers. A strong dye-micelle interaction, as indicated by the shift of the solvatochromic intramolecular charge transfer band of the dye, has also been indicated. The absorption and fluorescence parameters of the dye have been utilised for studying the onset of aggregation of the surfactants. An iterative procedure has been developed for the estimation of cmc and the distribution coefficient (KD) of the dye between the aqueous and the micellar phase. All the parameters provide convergent values of cmc. A high value of KD indicates that the dye exists predominantly in the micellar phase. The solvatochromic parameters characterising the dipolarity-polarisability (π(*)) and H-bond donation ability (α) of modes of solvation interaction in different micellar media have been estimated. The dye is found to distribute itself between two regions in a catanionic vesicle formed by surfactants SDS and DTAB, one being relatively polar than other. The distribution coefficients have been found out using the fluorescence data.

Synthesis of a polymer bearing several coumarin dyes along the side chain and study of its fluorescence in pure and binary solvent mixtures as well as aqueous surfactant solutions.

A copolymer bearing several pendent dyes (coumarin derivatives) along the side chain has been synthesized, and its fluorescence parameters have been monitored in pure solvents and also as a function of composition of binary solvent mixtures. Fluorescence parameters (the maximum energy of fluorescence, quantum yield, and rate constant for the decay of the excited state) of the free fluorophore show significant dependence on the nature of the immediate environment around it. The value of a parameter measured in neat solvent for the fluorophore covalently bound to the polymer is different from that of the free fluorophore, indicating that the polymer chain influences the spectroscopic properties of the dye. Whereas the energy of maximum fluorescence of the free fluorophore shows a nonlinear correlation with the solvent composition of solvent mixtures, an almost linear correlation has been observed for the polymer. A significant variation of photophysical parameters of the dye dissolved in binary solvent mixtures, which is different from that of the free fluorophore, has been observed. Thus, the free fluorophore and the fluorophore bound to the polymer sense different environments in binary solvent mixtures. A dramatic variation of fluorescence intensity of the fluorophore bound to the polymer has been observed when sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is added to an aqueous solution of the polymer. The results have been explained in terms of the existence of different species (polymer, polymer-SDS aggregates, micelles) in equilibrium in solution.

Ketocyanine dyes as sensors for proticity and pH of a medium.

Photophysical properties of two structurally similar ketocyanine dyes have been studied in aprotic+protic (dioxane+water, tetrahydrofuran+water) and protic+protic (methanol+water) solvent mixtures. The observed photophysical properties of these dyes show different trends with an increase in solvent polarity (in the E(T)(30) scale) in aprotic and protic media. The H-bonding at the carbonyl centres of the dyes in the excited state presumably plays a role in modifying the emitting state and hence the photophysical properties show similar trend in a protic solvent or in a mixed aprotic+protic solvent at higher percentage of the later. Thus the dyes are supposed to act as useful probes for studying H-bonding ability of a medium. Absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of these dyes have been found to get modified in the presence of strong acid. The presence of H(+) ions persists the dyes to exist in equilibrium with the protonated forms having different absorption and fluorescence characteristics. Reversible change of the equilibrium with pH of the medium makes the dyes, particularly the symmetric one, good probes for indicating the pH of the medium.

Photophysics of representative ketocyanine dyes: dependence on molecular structure.

Spectral properties of a new fluorescent ketocyanine dye have been discussed. The energy of maximum absorption/fluorescence of the dye exhibits bathochromic shift with increasing polarity of the medium. Both dipolarity-polarisability and hydrogen bond donation interaction contribute to solvation of the dye. Study of fluorescence parameters points to existence of different emitting states of the dye for aprotic and protic solvents. While the emitting state is the (1)(π, π*) state for aprotic solvents, fluorescence supposedly take place from a different emitting state involving H-bond formation in the excited state in protic solvents. Fluorescence parameters of the dye have been compared with those for a structurally similar symmetric ketocyanine dye. The faster decay of the dye relative to its symmetric counterpart has been explained as due to an increase of nonradiative decay.