Recent Insight into the Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Lyase in Neurodegeneration.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SPL) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme involved in the irreversible degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-a bioactive sphingolipid that modulates a broad range of biological processes (cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival; mitochondrial functioning; and gene expression). Although SPL activity leads to a decrease in the available pool of S1P in the cell, at the same time, hexadecenal and phosphoethanolamine, compounds with potential biological activity, are generated. The increased expression and/or activity of SPL, and hence the imbalance between S1P and the end products of its cleavage, were demonstrated in several pathological states. On the other hand, loss-of-function mutations in the SPL encoding gene are a cause of severe developmental impairments. Recently, special attention has been paid to neurodegenerative diseases as the most common pathologies of the nervous system. This review summarizes the current findings concerning the role of SPL in the nervous system with an emphasis on neurodegeneration. Moreover, it briefly discusses pharmacological compounds directed to inhibit its activity.

Age-Related Transcriptional Deregulation of Genes Coding Synaptic Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease Murine Model: Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Fingolimod.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) induces time-dependent changes in sphingolipid metabolism, which may affect transcription regulation and neuronal phenotype. We, therefore, analyzed the influence of age, amyloid ß precursor protein (AßPP), and the clinically approved, bioavailable sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator fingolimod (FTY720) on the expression of synaptic proteins. RNA was isolated, reverse-transcribed, and subjected to real-time PCR. Expression of mutant (V717I) AßPP led to few changes at 3 months of age but reduced multiple mRNA coding for synaptic proteins in a 12-month-old mouse brain. Complexin 1 (Cplx1), SNAP25 (Snap25), syntaxin 1A (Stx1a), neurexin 1 (Nrxn1), neurofilament light (Nefl), and synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) in the hippocampus, and VAMP1 (Vamp1) and neurexin 1 (Nrxn1) in the cortex were all significantly reduced in 12-month-old mice. Post mortem AD samples from the human hippocampus and cortex displayed lower expression of VAMP, synapsin, neurofilament light (NF-L) and synaptophysin. The potentially neuroprotective FTY720 reversed most AßPP-induced changes in gene expression (Cplx1, Stx1a, Snap25, and Nrxn1) in the 12-month-old hippocampus, which is thought to be most sensitive to early neurotoxic insults, but it only restored Vamp1 in the cortex and had no influence in 3-month-old brains. Further study may reveal the potential usefulness of FTY720 in the modulation of deregulated neuronal phenotype in AD brains.

The role of ceramide and SEW 2871 in the transcription of enzymes involved in amyloid b precursor protein metabolism in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by alterations of amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism, accumulation of amyloid  peptides (A), hyperphosphorylation of Tau proteins and also by sphingolipids disturbances. These changes lead to oxidative stress, mitochondria dysfunction, synaptic loss and neuro-inflammation. It is known that A may promote ceramides formation and reversely, ceramides could stimulate A peptides release. However, the effect of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on APP metabolism has not been fully elucidated. In this study we investigated the role of ceramide and S1P on APP metabolism. Moreover, the effect of ceramide and SEW 2871 (agonist for S1P receptor-1) on Sirt1 (NAD+-dependent nuclear enzyme responsible for stress response) gene expression under A toxicity was analyzed. Experiments were carried out using pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12) transfected with: an empty vector (used as a control), human wild-type APP gene (APPwt) and Swedish mutated (K670M/N671L) APP gene (APPsw). Our results indicated that C2-ceramide significantly decreased the viability of the APPwt, APPsw as well as empty vector-transfected PC12 cells. It was observed that C2-ceramide had no significant effect on the mRNA level of - and -secretase in APPwt and APPsw cells. However, it significantly decreased transcription of -secretase in control cells. Results also showed a significant increase in Psen1 (crucial subunit of -secretase) gene expression in APPsw cells after incubation with C2-ceramide. We observed that SEW 2871 significantly upregulated the mRNA level of -secretase in control-empty vector-transfected cells subjected to C2-ceramide toxicity. The same tendency, though insignificant, was observed in APPwt and APPsw cells. Moreover, SEW 2871 enhanced the mRNA level of -secretase and Psen1 in APPsw cells after C2-ceramide treatment. Additionally, SEW 2871 significantly upregulated a gene expression of Sirt1 in APPwt and also APPsw cells subjected to C2-ceramide toxicity. Furthermore, it was observed that SEW 2871 significantly enhanced the viability of all investigated cells' lines probably through its positive influence on Sirt1.

Inhibition of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 Enhances Gene Expression of Selected Sirtuins and APP Cleaving Enzymes in Amyloid Beta Cytotoxicity.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and sirtuins (SIRTs) are involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, transcription, and DNA repair. Alterations of these enzymes may play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous results indicated that amyloid beta (Aß) peptides and inflammation led to activation of PARP1 and cell death. This study focused on a role of PARP1 in the regulation of gene expression for SIRTs and beta-amyloid precursor protein (ßAPP) cleaving enzymes under Aß42 oligomers (AßO) toxicity in pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) in culture. Moreover, the effect of endogenously liberated Aß peptides in PC12 cells stably transfected with human gene for APP wild-type (APPwt) was analyzed. Our results demonstrated that AßO enhanced transcription of presenilins (Psen1 and Psen2), the crucial subunits of γ-secretase. Aß peptides in APPwt cells activated expression of ß-secretase (Bace1), Psen1, Psen2, and Parp1. The inhibitor of PARP1, PJ-34 in the presence of AßO upregulated transcription of α-secretase (Adam10), Psen1, and Psen2, but also Bace1. Concomitantly, PJ-34 enhanced mRNA level of nuclear Sirt1, Sirt6, mitochondrial Sirt4, and Parp3 in PC12 cells subjected to AßOs toxicity. Our data indicated that Aß peptides through modulation of APP secretases may lead to a vicious metabolic circle, which could be responsible for maintaining Aß at high level. PARP1 inhibition, besides activation of nuclear SIRTs and mitochondrial Sirt4 expression, enhanced transcription of enzyme(s) involved in ßAPP metabolism, and this effect should be considered in its application against Aß peptide toxicity.

Poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in brain and its role in ischemia pathology.

The biological roles of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers (PAR) and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins in the central nervous system are diverse. The homeostasis of PAR orchestrated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) is crucial for cell physiology and pathology. Both enzymes are ubiquitously distributed in neurons and glia; however, they are segregated at the subcellular level. PARP-1 serves as a "nick sensor" for single- or double-stranded breaks in DNA and is involved in long and short patch base-excision repair, while PARG breaks down PAR. The stimulation of PARP-1 and PAR formation can activate proinflammatory transcription factors, including nuclear factor kappa B. However, hyperactivation of PARP-1 can result in depletion of NAD/ATP, and in PAR-dependent mitochondrial pore formation leading to release of apoptosis inducing factor and cell death. The role of PAR as a death signaling molecule in brain ischemia-reperfusion and inflammation as well as the effect of gender and aging is presented in this review. Modulating the PAR level through pharmacological or genetic intervention on PARP-1/PARG activity and gene expression should be a valuable way for neuroprotective strategy.

Alzheimer's disease related peptides affected cholinergic receptor mediated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity in the hippocampus.

Our previous studies indicated that Alzheimer's disease (AD) related amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) significantly altered muscarinic cholinergic receptor (mChR) signaling on the level of G protein regulated phospholipase C (PLC) leading to the lower formation of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Recent studies indicated that poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a new nuclear target in signal transduction pathway in the brain. In this study the effect of Abeta 25-35 (25 microM) and non-Abeta component of Alzheimer's disease amyloid (NAC, 10 microM) on mChR-dependent signaling to PARP-1 was determined. PARP-1 activity was estimated radiochemically using egzogenous substrate adenine[14C]NAD. The results showed that the non hydrolysable agonist of mChR, carbachol (1 mM) together with GTP(g)S (100 microM) stimulated PARP-1 activity in the hippocampus by about 100%. TMB-8, inhibitor of IP3 receptor decreased PARP-1 activation evoked by carbachol/GTP(g)S. Stimulation of mChR did not lead to free radicals generation but activate PARP-1 through IP3/Ca2+ regulated processes. This cholinergic receptor dependent PARP-1 activation was abolished by Abeta and NAC peptide. These toxic peptides themselves significantly stimulated PARP-1 activity by free radicals mediated DNA damage. These data indicated that Abeta and NAC peptide affected mChR-dependent signal transduction to PARP-1 probably through free radicals evoked inhibition of IP3 formation by phospholipase C.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase: the nuclear target in signal transduction and its role in brain ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 is a DNA nick sensor that transforms ADP-ribose from betaNAD+ in the form of polymer to over 40 nuclear proteins, particularly to histones, several transcription factors, and PARP itself, modulating their activities and functions. PARP-1 activated by DNA breaks facilitates transcription, replication, and DNA base excision repair. The last studies indicate that PARP-1 is the new nuclear target for fast signals evoked in cell membranes by depolarization and cholinergic and glutaminergic receptors stimulation. Excessive activation of PARP-1 by peroxynitrate-evoked DNA damage during oxidative stress can cause cell death by NAD+/ATP depletion after ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammation, and diabetes mellitus. The PARP-1 through interaction with nuclear factor-kappaB, p53, and other transcription factors might significantly modulate cell survival and death and a type of death pathway. The pharmacological modulation of PARP-1 might offer a new effective approach for neuroprotection.