Hyperphosphorylation-Mimetic TDP-43 Drives Amyloid Formation and Possesses Neuronal Toxicity at the Oligomeric Stage.

TDP-43 proteinopathies cover a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 was found within the inclusion bodies in disease lesions; however, the role of hyperphosphorylation and the toxic species are still ambiguous. To characterize the hyperphosphorylation effect of TDP-43, here, we employed five serine mutations implicated in the diseases at serine locations 379, 403, 404, 409, and 410 in the C-terminus to aspartate (S5D) and to alanine (S5A). We systematically characterized the conformation, liquid-liquid phase separation, oligomerization, and fibrillization of TDP-43 variants. Results revealed that the recombinant TDP-43 variants readily formed structurally similar spherical oligomers, as evidenced by circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, the TDP-43 oligomer-specific antibody assay, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. After incubation, only the phosphor-mimic S5D TDP-43 formed thioflavin-positive amyloid fibrils, whereas wild-type and S5A TDP-43 formed amorphous aggregates. We also examined membrane disruption, the cytotoxicity of human neuroblastoma, and the synaptic loss of primary neurons induced by oligomers and large aggregates of TDP-43. The results showed that all oligomeric TDP-43 variants were toxic regardless of hyperphosphorylation, but the fibrils and amorphous aggregates were not. Overall, our results demonstrated the hyperphosphorylation effect on fibril formation and the toxicity attributed from TDP-43 oligomers. This study facilitates the understanding and therapeutic development for TDP-43 proteinopathies.

A robust TDP-43 knock-in mouse model of ALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, adult-onset degenerative disorder of motor neurons. The diseased spinal cord motor neurons of more than 95% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients are characterized by the mis-metabolism of the RNA/DNA-binding protein TDP-43 (ALS-TDP), in particular, the presence of cytosolic aggregates of the protein. Most available mouse models for the basic or translational studies of ALS-TDP are based on transgenic overexpression of the TDP-43 protein. Here, we report the generation and characterization of mouse lines bearing homologous knock-in of fALS-associated mutation A315T and sALS-associated mutation N390D, respectively. Remarkably, the heterozygous TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice but not those heterozygous for the TDP-43 (A315T/+) mice develop a full spectrum of ALS-TDP-like pathologies at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels. Comparative analysis of the mutant mice and spinal cord motor neurons (MN) derived from their embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrates that different ALS-associated TDP-43 mutations possess critical ALS-causing capabilities and pathogenic pathways, likely modified by their genetic background and the environmental factors. Mechanistically, we identify aberrant RNA splicing of spinal cord Bcl-2 pre-mRNA and consequent increase of a negative regulator of autophagy, Bcl-2, which correlate with and are caused by a progressive increase of TDP-43, one of the early events associated with ALS-TDP pathogenesis, in the spinal cord of TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice and spinal cord MN derived from their ES cells. The TDP-43 (N390D/+) knock-in mice appear to be an ideal rodent model for basic as well as translational studies of ALS- TDP.

TDP-43 interacts with amyloid-ß, inhibits fibrillization, and worsens pathology in a model of Alzheimer's disease.

TDP-43 inclusions are found in many Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients presenting faster disease progression and greater brain atrophy. Previously, we showed full-length TDP-43 forms spherical oligomers and perturbs amyloid-ß (Aß) fibrillization. To elucidate the role of TDP-43 in AD, here, we examined the effect of TDP-43 in Aß aggregation and the attributed toxicity in mouse models. We found TDP-43 inhibited Aß fibrillization at initial and oligomeric stages. Aß fibrillization was delayed specifically in the presence of N-terminal domain containing TDP-43 variants, while C-terminal TDP-43 was not essential for Aß interaction. TDP-43 significantly enhanced Aß's ability to impair long-term potentiation and, upon intrahippocampal injection, caused spatial memory deficit. Following injection to AD transgenic mice, TDP-43 induced inflammation, interacted with Aß, and exacerbated AD-like pathology. TDP-43 oligomers mostly colocalized with intracellular Aß in the brain of AD patients. We conclude that TDP-43 inhibits Aß fibrillization through its interaction with Aß and exacerbates AD pathology.

Full-length TDP-43 forms toxic amyloid oligomers that are present in frontotemporal lobar dementia-TDP patients.

Proteinaceous inclusions are common hallmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. TDP-43 proteinopathies, consisting of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by inclusion bodies formed by polyubiquitinated and hyperphosphorylated full-length and truncated TDP-43. The structural properties of TDP-43 aggregates and their relationship to pathogenesis are still ambiguous. Here we demonstrate that the recombinant full-length human TDP-43 forms structurally stable, spherical oligomers that share common epitopes with an anti-amyloid oligomer-specific antibody. The TDP-43 oligomers are stable, have exposed hydrophobic surfaces, exhibit reduced DNA binding capability and are neurotoxic in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, TDP-43 oligomers are capable of cross-seeding Alzheimer's amyloid-ß to form amyloid oligomers, demonstrating interconvertibility between the amyloid species. Such oligomers are present in the forebrain of transgenic TDP-43 mice and FTLD-TDP patients. Our results suggest that aside from filamentous aggregates, TDP-43 oligomers may play a role in TDP-43 pathogenesis.

Starch derivative-based superabsorbent with integration of water-retaining and controlled-release fertilizers.

Phosphate rock (PHR), a traditional fertilizer, is abundant, but is hard to be utilized by plants. To improve the utilization of PHR, and to integrate water-retaining and controlled-release fertilizers, an agricultural superabsorbent polymer based on sulfonated corn starch/poly (acrylic acid) embedding phosphate rock (SCS/PAA/PHR) was prepared. PHR can be suspended and well-dispersed in SCS/PAA by sulfonated corn starch (SCS). PHR and KOH were mixed in acrylic acid solution to provide phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrients, respectively. Impacts on water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent were investigated. The maximum swelling capacity in distilled water or 0.9 wt.% (weight percent) NaCl solution reached 498 g g(-1) and 65 g g(-1) (water/prepared dry superabsorbent) respectively. Moreover, release behaviours of P and K in SCS/PAA/PHR were also investigated. The results showed that SCS/PAA/PHR possessed excellent sustained-release property of plant nutrient, and the SCS/PAA could improve the P release greatly. Besides, the XPS analysis was employed to study the relationship between PHR and superabsorbent polymer.

Prioritization and evaluation of depression candidate genes by combining multidimensional data resources.

BACKGROUND: Large scale and individual genetic studies have suggested numerous susceptible genes for depression in the past decade without conclusive results. There is a strong need to review and integrate multi-dimensional data for follow up validation. The present study aimed to apply prioritization procedures to build-up an evidence-based candidate genes dataset for depression. METHODS: Depression candidate genes were collected in human and animal studies across various data resources. Each gene was scored according to its magnitude of evidence related to depression and was multiplied by a source-specific weight to form a combined score measure. All genes were evaluated through a prioritization system to obtain an optimal weight matrix to rank their relative importance with depression using the combined scores. The resulting candidate gene list for depression (DEPgenes) was further evaluated by a genome-wide association (GWA) dataset and microarray gene expression in human tissues. RESULTS: A total of 5,055 candidate genes (4,850 genes from human and 387 genes from animal studies with 182 being overlapped) were included from seven data sources. Through the prioritization procedures, we identified 169 DEPgenes, which exhibited high chance to be associated with depression in GWA dataset (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p = 0.00005). Additionally, the DEPgenes had a higher percentage to express in human brain or nerve related tissues than non-DEPgenes, supporting the neurotransmitter and neuroplasticity theories in depression. CONCLUSIONS: With comprehensive data collection and curation and an application of integrative approach, we successfully generated DEPgenes through an effective gene prioritization system. The prioritized DEPgenes are promising for future biological experiments or replication efforts to discover the underlying molecular mechanisms for depression.