Biomedical subjects

Mark R Cookson

Publications and source records attributed to Mark R Cookson.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Microarray analysis reveals induction of heat shock proteins mRNAs by the torsion dystonia protein, TorsinA.

An in-frame deletion (Delta E302/303) in the TorsinA gene has been demonstrated to be responsible for primary torsion dystonia, showing dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. The Delta E302/303 torsinA mutation forms intracellular ER derived inclusions in a variety of cultured cells, which may suggest that the mutations might evoke ER stress. We used microarray analysis of human derived cell lines expressing the Delta E302/303 torsinA mutation in order to reveal alterations in gene expression in the hope of identifying genetic modifying loci or novel markers for disease pathogenesis. We identified transcriptional changes in multiple members of the heat shock protein family of genes, confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, which could be indicative of ER stress. However, both wild type and mutant torsinA were affected to a similar extent, suggesting that this is not related to either disease state or the formation of ER-derived inclusions.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Pathways to Parkinsonism.

A novel gene for Parkinson's disease (PD), DJ-1, has been identified that encodes a multifunctional product with several known protein-protein interactions and effects on gene expression. Here, I outline how it is possible to construct hypotheses that place DJ-1 in different relationships to the other known PD genes, alpha-synuclein and parkin. The identification of multiple genetic causes will provide further impetus to describe the pathway leading to PD.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Genes and parkinsonism.

Genetic studies in families with mendelian inheritance of Parkinson's disease (PD) have reported the cloning of several disease-associated genes. These studies of rare familial forms of the disease have cast doubt on our understanding of the role of genetics in typical PD and have complicated the classification of the disorder. However, this genetic information might help us to construct a hypothesis for the pathogenetic processes that underlie PD. In this review we describe the molecular genetics of PD as currently understood to help explain the pathways that underlie neurodegeneration.

Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System↗

PubMed2003

Co-ordinate transcriptional regulation of dopamine synthesis genes by alpha-synuclein in human neuroblastoma cell lines.

Abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies is a neuropathological hallmark of both sporadic and familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Although mutations in alpha-synuclein have been identified in autosomal dominant PD, the mechanism by which dopaminergic cell death occurs remains unknown. We investigated transcriptional changes in neuroblastoma cell lines transfected with either normal or mutant (A30P or A53T) alpha-synuclein using microarrays, with confirmation of selected genes by quantitative RT-PCR. Gene products whose expression was found to be significantly altered included members of diverse functional groups such as stress response, transcription regulators, apoptosis-inducing molecules, transcription factors and membrane-bound proteins. We also found evidence of altered expression of dihydropteridine reductase, which indirectly regulates the synthesis of dopamine. Because of the importance of dopamine in PD, we investigated the expression of all the known genes in dopamine synthesis. We found co-ordinated downregulation of mRNA for GTP cyclohydrolase, sepiapterin reductase (SR), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic acid decarboxylase by wild-type but not mutant alpha-synuclein. These were confirmed at the protein level for SR and TH. Reduced expression of the orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 was also noted, suggesting that the co-ordinate regulation of dopamine synthesis is regulated through this transcription factor.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed2003

Parkin's substrates and the pathways leading to neuronal damage.

Mutations in the Parkin gene are associated with Parkinson s disease (PD). The gene product has been shown to be an E3 protein-ubiquitin ligase, catalyzing the addition of ubiquitin to target proteins prior to their destruction via the proteasome. This activity is thus key in regulating the turnover of substrate proteins. A predictive hypothesis for how this results in PD is that the misregulation of proteasomal degradation of Parkin s substrates is deleterious to neurons. Several different laboratories have identified alternate candidate proteins. In this review, the likelihood of each of the proposed substrates for parkin being robust will be evaluated. The distribution and abundance of the proteins will be examined for clues as to which are the pathologically important substrates for parkin. The possibility that loss of regulation of turnover of one or more of these substrates contributes to the selective neurodegeneration seen in PD is also discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Parkin protects against the toxicity associated with mutant alpha-synuclein: proteasome dysfunction selectively affects catecholaminergic neurons.

One hypothesis for the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is that subsets of neurons are vulnerable to a failure in proteasome-mediated protein turnover. Here we show that overexpression of mutant alpha-synuclein increases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors by decreasing proteasome function. Overexpression of parkin decreases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors in a manner dependent on parkin's ubiquitin-protein E3 ligase activity, and antisense knockdown of parkin increases sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors. Mutant alpha-synuclein also causes selective toxicity to catecholaminergic neurons in primary midbrain cultures, an effect that can be mimicked by the application of proteasome inhibitors. Parkin is capable of rescuing the toxic effects of mutant alpha-synuclein or proteasome inhibition in these cells. Therefore, parkin and alpha-synuclein are linked by common effects on a pathway associated with selective cell death in catecholaminergic neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Differential gene expression in a cell culture model of SOD1-related familial motor neurone disease.

Motor neurone disease is caused by mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in 15-20% of familial cases, due to a toxic gain of function by the mutant enzyme. However, the underlying mechanism of SOD1-mediated neurodegeneration remains uncertain. By investigating alterations in gene expression in the presence of mutant Cu/Zn SOD, we aimed to identify pathways that contribute to motor neurone injury and cell death. Using a cellular model of familial motor neurone disease, the motor neuronal cell line NSC34 was stably transfected with either normal or mutant (G37R, G93A, I113T) SOD1 cDNAs, and the effect of the presence of these proteins on gene expression was analysed. This model allowed gene expression changes to be studied specifically in cells with a motor neurone phenotype, without interference from genes expressed by glia, astrocytes and other cell types located in the central nervous system. Using a commercially available cDNA membrane array, we investigated the expression levels of 588 genes from key biological pathways. Gene expression was studied in the cells under both basal culture conditions and following oxidative stress induced by serum withdrawal. Twenty-nine differentially expressed genes were identified, 7 of which were specifically downregulated in the presence of the mutant Cu/Zn SOD protein, and whose expression was further studied by real-time PCR. Presence of the mutant Cu/Zn SOD was confirmed to lead to a decrease in expression of KIF3B, a kinesin-like protein, which forms part of the KIF3 molecular motor. c-Fes, thought to be involved in intracellular vesicle transport was also decreased, further implicating the involvement of vesicular trafficking as a mode of action for mutant Cu/Zn SOD. In addition, a decrease was confirmed in ICAM1, a response in part due to the increased expression of SOD1, and decreased Bag1 expression was confirmed in two of the three mutant cell lines, providing further support for the involvement of apoptosis in SOD1-associated motor neurone death.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

An in vitro model of Parkinson's disease: linking mitochondrial impairment to altered alpha-synuclein metabolism and oxidative damage.

Chronic systemic complex I inhibition caused by rotenone exposure induces features of Parkinson's disease (PD) in rats, including selective nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration and formation of ubiquitin- and alpha-synuclein-positive inclusions (Betarbet et al., 2000). To determine underlying mechanisms of rotenone-induced cell death, we developed a chronic in vitro model based on treating human neuroblastoma cells with 5 nm rotenone for 1-4 weeks. For up to 4 weeks, cells grown in the presence of rotenone had normal morphology and growth kinetics, but at this time point, approximately 5% of cells began to undergo apoptosis. Short-term rotenone treatment (1 week) elevated soluble alpha-synuclein protein levels without changing message levels, suggesting that alpha-synuclein degradation was retarded. Chronic rotenone exposure (4 weeks) increased levels of SDS-insoluble alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin. After a latency of >2 weeks, rotenone-treated cells showed evidence of oxidative stress, including loss of glutathione and increased oxidative DNA and protein damage. Chronic rotenone treatment (4 weeks) caused a slight elevation in basal apoptosis and markedly sensitized cells to further oxidative challenge. In response to H2O2, there was cytochrome c release from mitochondria, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis, all of which occurred earlier and to a much greater extent in rotenone-treated cells; caspase inhibition provided substantial protection. These studies indicate that chronic low-grade complex I inhibition caused by rotenone exposure induces accumulation and aggregation of alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin, progressive oxidative damage, and caspase-dependent death, mechanisms that may be central to PD pathogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Normal localization of deltaF323-Y328 mutant torsinA in transfected human cells.

Two mutations in torsinA have been identified to date, both of which are associated with an autosomal dominant form of early onset-dystonia. It has been reported previously that expression of the more common mutation, a deletion of one of a pair of glutamates (deltaE302/303) produces intracellular, endoplasmic reticulum-derived inclusions in cultured cells. In this study we have replicated these previous results and have additionally looked at the localization of the more recently described deltaF323-Y328 mutation. We show that the localization of this latter mutation is similar to wild type torsinA and unlike the deltaE302/303 mutation. This data suggests that the formation of intracellular inclusions is specific to deltaE302/303 and not a property shared by deltaF323-Y328.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Sequence conservation between mouse and human synphilin-1.

Synphilin-1 has been shown to interact with alpha-synuclein, which in turn is associated with Parkinson's disease. However, the function of synphilin-1 is unknown. We have cloned mouse synphilin in an attempt to describe conserved and therefore likely functional domains. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein shows extensive homology with its human counterpart, with greatest similarities in those regions that contain ankyrin-like motifs and the coiled-coil domain. Expression of mouse synphilin-1 across tissues is similar to its human counterpart and not limited to brain. The results show that the synphilin-1 sequence and expression patterns are conserved across species.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Selective loss of neurofilament expression in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Neurofilament pathology is a hallmark of sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS and FALS). The disease mechanisms underlying this pathology are presently unclear, but recent evidence in SALS patients suggest that reductions in neurofilament light subunit (NFL) mRNA may contribute to the death of motor neurones. Mutations in the gene encoding Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) represent the best-studied cause of FALS, and a number of laboratory models of SOD1-mediated disease exist. Here we have used microdissected lumbar spinal cord motor neurones from human SOD1 FALS patients as well as G93A SOD1 transgenic mice and demonstrated that reduced NFL mRNA levels are seen in both. To probe the molecular mechanisms underpinning these observations, we generated NSC34 motor neurone-like cell lines expressing wild-type and mutant SOD1. NSC34 cells expressing G37R or G93A SOD1 showed selective reductions in NFL and NFM mRNA and protein. These data suggest that NFL mRNA reductions are common to SALS and FALS patients, and that cells and mice expressing mutant SOD1 may enable us to characterize the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the loss of neurofilament mRNA.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

PubMed2002

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutations associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affect cellular free radical release in the presence of oxidative stress.

INTRODUCTION: The exact molecular mechanisms by which mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause motor neuron injury remain incompletely understood, though a body of evidence suggests that the mutant protein exerts a cell-specific toxic gain of function. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in SOD1-related motor neuron injury has been particularly controversial. Theoretically, there are arguments to suggest that NO may exert an important role in motor neuron injury, but there is relatively little direct experimental support for this hypothesis. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine further the potential role for NO in motor neuron injury caused by mutant SOD1. METHOD: We have generated a cellular model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by stably transfecting NSC34 cells with one of three mutant forms of SOD1 (G93A, G37R, I113T). In the presence of mutant SOD1, NSC34 cells show increased cell death following oxidative stress induced by serum withdrawal. This model of motor neuron death involves cellular release of superoxide and NO radicals, which were directly measured in real time using microelectrode biosensors. RESULTS: The expression of both normal and mutant SOD1 decreased the measured extracellular superoxide release, but had divergent effects on the measured release of NO. Normal SOD1 increased the measured NO release, whereas cells expressing mutant SOD1 released less NO. Co-administration of two different nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (L-NAME and L-N-methyl arginine) did show some neuroprotective effect, but this was only partial, and the effect was more marked using nuclear integrity as a measure of cell viability, rather than MTT conversion. Cells expressing mutant SOD1 were, however, more sensitive to toxicity induced by extrinsic exposure to NO, using a slow-release NO donor. CONCLUSION: NO is likely to contribute to motor neuron injury, but this does not fully account for all the cellular toxic effects of mutant SOD1.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

PubMed2002

Mitochondrial dysfunction in a cell culture model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The molecular mechanisms by which mutations in the gene for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) lead to the selective death of motor neurones in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) remain incompletely understood. Previous evidence has indicated that mitochondrial abnormalities may develop during motor neurone injury, but several important questions remain unanswered. We have developed a cell culture model of FALS in which a motor neurone cell line (NSC34) has been stably transfected to express normal or mutant human SOD1 at levels approximating to those seen in the human disease. The aims of the study were to: (i) investigate whether morphological mitochondrial abnormalities occur at expression levels of mutant SOD1 close to physiological levels; and (ii) determine whether the presence of mutant SOD1 causes abnormalities of mitochondrial respiratory chain function and changes in cellular bioenergetic parameters in motor neuronal cells. Using this cellular model, we demonstrate that the presence of mutant SOD1 results in the development of abnormally swollen and pale staining mitochondria. These morphological changes are accompanied by biochemical abnormalities with specific decreases in the activities of complexes II and IV of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. These same complexes are inhibited when control NSC34 cells are subjected to oxidative stress induced by serum withdrawal. The decrease in respiratory chain complex activity in the presence of mutant SOD1 was not accompanied by decreased expression of representative proteins present in these complexes. Motor neuronal cells expressing mutant SOD1 showed increased cell death when exposed to oxidative stress by serum withdrawal, whereas the presence of normal human SOD1 exerted a protective effect. Under basal, unstressed culture conditions, no change in the ATP : ADP ratio was observed in the presence of mutant SOD1. However, the mitochondrial changes associated with the presence of mutant SOD1 clearly had adverse cellular bioenergetic consequences as shown by increased cell death in the presence of pharmacological inhibition of the glycolytic pathway. We conclude that one important mechanism by which mutant SOD1 causes motor neurone injury involves inhibition of specific components of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. Therapeutic measures aimed at protecting mitochondrial respiratory chain function may be useful in SOD1 related familial and possibly other forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗