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Molecular classification and survival prediction in human gliomas based on proteome analysis.

The biological features of gliomas, which are characterized by highly heterogeneous biological aggressiveness even in the same histological category, would be precisely described by global gene expression data at the protein level. We investigated whether proteome analysis based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry can identify differences in protein expression between high- and low-grade glioma tissues. Proteome profiling patterns were compared in 85 tissue samples: 52 glioblastoma multiforme, 13 anaplastic astrocytomas, 10 atrocytomas, and 10 normal brain tissues. We could completely distinguish the normal brain tissues from glioma tissues by cluster analysis based on the proteome profiling patterns. Proteome-based clustering significantly correlated with the patient survival, and we could identify a biologically distinct subset of astrocytomas with aggressive nature. Discriminant analysis extracted a set of 37 proteins differentially expressed based on histological grading. Among them, many of the proteins that were increased in high-grade gliomas were categorized as signal transduction proteins, including small G-proteins. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the expression of identified proteins in glioma tissues. The present study shows that proteome analysis is useful to develop a novel system for the prediction of biological aggressiveness of gliomas. The proteins identified here could be novel biomarkers for survival prediction and rational targets for antiglioma therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lipid metabolism is a key central, systemic and gut microbial feature of the decline in rat hippocampal function during middle age.

Middle age is emerging as a turning point in brain ageing, prognostic of future cognitive health and amenable to intervention. Metabolic and proteomic differences during this period are not yet fully understood and may potentially influence functions of the hippocampus, a brain area that regulates memory and anxiety. While the gut microbiota is implicated in brain ageing, the relationship between the gut microbiota, the metabolic state, and hippocampal proteome in middle age has not been investigated. We hypothesise that peripheral metabolic or protein features are associated with hippocampal vulnerability in middle age. Therefore, young adult and middle-aged rats were assessed for behavioural, proteomic, metabolic, and gut microbiota differences. Proteomic profiling of the hippocampus revealed differential expression of proteins indicative of altered synaptic signalling. Concurrently, adult hippocampal neurogenesis was decreased in middle age. Hippocampal microglia exhibited a lipid rich, inflammatory phenotype in middle age which correlated with poorer memory performance. CSF and serum proteomic and metabolomic analyses identified dysregulated lipid-related pathways potentially contributing to hippocampal vulnerability in middle age. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed reduced abundance of bacteria involved in lipid metabolism regulation. However, faecal microbiota transfer from young to middle aged rats was not sufficient to robustly improve hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. Together, these findings highlight dysfunctional lipid metabolism as a key feature of middle age that may contribute to decline in hippocampal function. Given that the scope for intervention is limited during older age, targeting biomarkers involved in metabolic and lipid homeostasis may be pivotal for the development of pharmacological or lifestyle-based interventions during middle age which could ultimately delay future cognitive ageing.

Animals↗

Merger of laser capture microdissection and mass spectrometry: a window into the amyloid plaque proteome.

The occurrence of protein accumulation and aggregation in the brain is one of the pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although it is instructive to analyze the aggregated proteins in the brain, biochemical purification and identification of these proteins have been challenging. Recent developments in laser capture microdissection (LCM) and mass spectrometry (MS) enable large-scale protein profiling of captured tissue samples. We present here the method of analyzing senile plaques from postmortem AD brains by coupling LCM and highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). First, the senile plaques were stained with thioflavin-S and precisely isolated by adjusted laser beams under a microscope. Total proteins in the isolated tissues were extracted and resolved on an SDS gel. To identify all proteins in the samples, the gel was excised into multiple pieces followed by trypsin digestion. The resulting peptides were further separated by reverse-phase chromatography and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. A database search of acquired MS/MS spectra allowed the identification of hundreds to thousands of peptides/proteins in the original samples. Moreover, quantitative comparison of protein composites in different LCM samples could be achieved by MS strategies. For instance, the comparison between plaques and surrounding nonplaque tissues from the same specimen revealed tens of proteins specifically enriched in the plaques. Finally, the data were corroborated by independent experiments using the approach of immunohistochemistry. Taken together, the merger of LCM and MS is a powerful tool to probe the proteome of any given pathological lesions.

Animals↗

CSF proteome: a protein repository for potential biomarker identification.

Proteomic analysis is not limited to the analysis of serum or tissues. Synovial, peritoneal, pericardial and cerebrospinal fluid represent unique proteomes for disease diagnosis and prognosis. In particular, cerebrospinal fluid serves as a rich source of putative biomarkers that are not solely limited to neurologic disorders. Peptides, proteolytic fragments and antibodies are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, thus providing a repository of pathologic information. Proteomic technologies such as immunoblotting, isoelectric focusing, 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry have proven useful for deciphering this unique proteome. Cerebrospinal fluid proteins are generally less abundant than their corresponding serum counterparts, necessitating the development and use of sensitive analytical techniques. This review highlights some of the promising areas of cerebrospinal fluid proteomic research and their clinical applications.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Nova regulates brain-specific splicing to shape the synapse.

Alternative RNA splicing greatly increases proteome diversity and may thereby contribute to tissue-specific functions. We carried out genome-wide quantitative analysis of alternative splicing using a custom Affymetrix microarray to assess the role of the neuronal splicing factor Nova in the brain. We used a stringent algorithm to identify 591 exons that were differentially spliced in the brain relative to immune tissues, and 6.6% of these showed major splicing defects in the neocortex of Nova2-/- mice. We tested 49 exons with the largest predicted Nova-dependent splicing changes and validated all 49 by RT-PCR. We analyzed the encoded proteins and found that all those with defined brain functions acted in the synapse (34 of 40, including neurotransmitter receptors, cation channels, adhesion and scaffold proteins) or in axon guidance (8 of 40). Moreover, of the 35 proteins with known interaction partners, 74% (26) interact with each other. Validating a large set of Nova RNA targets has led us to identify a multi-tiered network in which Nova regulates the exon content of RNAs encoding proteins that interact in the synapse.

Alternative Splicing↗

The human brain revisited: opportunities and challenges in postmortem studies of psychiatric disorders.

Studies of the postmortem human brain have become an increasingly essential element of the effort to understand the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, especially in light of advances in our knowledge of functional brain circuitry and the new opportunities to apply the approaches of genomics and proteomics. This Perspective reviews some of the opportunities afforded by investigations of the postmortem human brain, and offers suggestions for improving the quality of future studies through the use of well-characterized brain specimens, well-constructed experimental designs and well-controlled confounds.

Brain↗

Enrichment of low-abundance brain proteins by preparative electrophoresis.

Detection of low-copy-number gene products is essential for the development of novel drugs, however, it represents a major drawback of proteomics and simultaneously a scientific challenge. We studied the enrichment of rat brain cytosolic proteins by preparative electrophoresis using the PrepCell apparatus. The electrophoresis was performed in the presence of 0.1% lithium dodecyl sulfate. The proteins eluted from the gel were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass specrometry. Lithium dodecyl sulfate was easily exchanged against agents compatible with isoelectric focusing. Low-abundance proteins, which had not been found before, including neuronal-specific and calcium-binding proteins, were detected. In particular, low-molecular-mass proteins, such as hippocalcin, visinin-like proteins, and 14-3-3 proteins were strongly enriched by preparative electrophoresis.

Animals↗

Proteomic analysis of synaptosomes using isotope-coded affinity tags and mass spectrometry.

Synaptosomes are isolated synapses produced by subcellular fractionation of brain tissue. They contain the complete presynaptic terminal, including mitochondria and synaptic vesicles, and portions of the postsynaptic side, including the postsynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic density (PSyD). A proteomic characterisation of synaptosomes isolated from mouse brain was performed employing the isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) method and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). After isotopic labelling and tryptic digestion, peptides were fractionated by cation exchange chromatography and cysteine-containing peptides were isolated by affinity chromatography. The peptides were identified by microcapillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation MS/MS (muLC-ESI MS/MS). In two experiments, peptides representing a total of 1131 database entries were identified. They are involved in different presynaptic and postsynaptic functions, including synaptic vesicle exocytosis for neurotransmitter release, vesicle endocytosis for synaptic vesicle recycling, as well as postsynaptic receptors and proteins constituting the PSyD. Moreover, a large number of soluble and membrane-bound molecules serving functions in synaptic signal transduction and metabolism were detected. The results provide an inventory of the synaptic proteome and confirm the suitability of the ICAT method for the assessment of synaptic structure, function and plasticity.

Animals↗

Assessment of genome and proteome profiles in cocaine abuse.

Until recently, knowledge of the impact of abuse drugs on gene and protein expression in the brain was limited to less than 100 targets. With the advent of high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques investigators are now able to evaluate changes across the entire genome and across thousands of proteins in defined brain regions and generate expression profiles of vulnerable neuroanatomical substrates in rodent and non-human primate drug abuse models and in human post-mortem brain tissue from drug abuse victims. The availability of gene and protein expression profiles will continue to expand our understanding of the short- and long-term consequences of drug addiction and other addictive disorders and may provide new approaches or new targets for pharmacotherapeutic intervention. This chapter will review gene expression data from rodent, non-human primate and human post-mortem studies of cocaine abuse and will provide a preliminary proteomic profile of human cocaine abuse and explore how these studies have advanced our understanding of addiction.

Animals↗

Differential protein expression in the prefrontal white matter of human alcoholics: a proteomics study.

Neuroimaging and post-mortem studies indicate that chronic alcohol use induces global changes in brain morphology, such as cortical and subcortical atrophy. Recent studies have shown that frontal lobe structures are specifically susceptible to alcohol-related brain damage and shrinkage in this area is largely due to a loss of white matter. This may explain the high incidence of cognitive dysfunction observed in alcoholics. Using a proteomics-based approach, changes in protein expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal region (BA9) white matter were identified in human alcoholic brains. Protein extracts from the BA9 white matter of 25 human brains (10 controls; eight uncomplicated alcoholics; six alcoholics complicated with hepatic cirrhosis; one reformed alcoholic) were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Overall, changes in the relative expression of 60 proteins were identified (P<0.05, ANOVA) in the alcoholic BA9 white matter. In total, 18 protein spots have been identified using MALDI-TOF; including hNP22, alpha-internexin, transketolase, creatine kinase chain B, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Several of these proteins have been previously implicated in alcohol-related disorders and brain damage. By identifying changes in protein expression in this region from alcoholics, hypotheses may draw upon more mechanistic explanations as to how chronic ethanol consumption causes white matter damage.

Adult↗

Molecular phenotype of Fragile X syndrome: FMRP, FXRPs, and protein targets.

Fragile X syndrome (FraX) is one of the most prevalent genetic causes of mental retardation. FraX is associated with an unstable expansion of a polymorphism within the 5' untranslated region of the FMR1 gene. The main consequence of this mutation is a reduction in the levels of the gene product (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein with multiple spliced variants (isoforms) and high levels of expression in a variety of tissues, including neurons. In the latter cells, it is localized not only to the perikaryon but also to dendrites and dendritic spines. FMRP belongs to a family of proteins that includes the Fragile X Related Proteins or FXRPs. FXRPs share high homology in their functional domains with FMRP, and also associate with mRNA and components of the protein synthesis apparatus. However, FXRPs do not have the same temporo-spatial pattern of distribution (and other properties) of FMRP. Immunochemical assays have confirmed that a functionally uncompensated FMRP deficit is the essence of the FraX molecular phenotype. Here, we report our preliminary study on FXRPs levels in leukocytes from FraX males. By immunoblotting, we found that a marked reduction in FMRP levels is associated with a modest increase in FXR1P and no changes in FXR2P levels. The consequences of this reduced FMRP expression on protein synthesis, in other words, the identification of FMRP targets, can be studied by different molecular approaches including protein interaction and proteomics methods. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we showed that in FraX leukocytes there is a defect in acetylation that involves prominently the regulatory protein annexin-1. Extension of current studies of the molecular phenotype to more brain-relevant tissue samples, a wider range of proteomics-based methods, and correlative analyses of FMRP homologues and FMRP targets with multiple behavioral measures, will greatly expand our understanding of FraX pathogenesis and it will help to develop and monitor new therapeutic strategies.

Animals↗

What is known about autism: genes, brain, and behavior.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origins, with a heritability of about 90%. Autistic disorder is classed within the broad domain of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) that also includes Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger syndrome, and PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Prevalence estimates suggest a rate of 0.1-0.2% for autism and 0.6% for the range of PDD disorders. There is considerable phenotypic heterogeneity within this class of disorders as well as continued debate regarding their clinical boundaries. Autism is the prototypical PDD, and is characterized by impairments in three core domains: social interaction, language development, and patterns of behavior (restricted and stereotyped). Clinical pattern and severity of impairment vary along these dimensions, and the level of cognitive functioning of individuals with autism spans the entire range, from profound mental retardation to superior intellect. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism, nor is it expected that a single gene is responsible for its expression; as many as 15+ genes may be involved. However, environmental influences are also important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely, even within monozygotic twins. Multiple susceptibility factors are being explored using varied methodologies, including genome-wide linkage studies, and family- and case-control candidate gene association studies. This paper reviews what is currently known about the genetic and environmental risk factors, neuropathology, and psychopharmacology of autism. Discussion of genetic factors focuses on the findings from linkage and association studies, the results of which have implicated the involvement of nearly every chromosome in the human genome. However, the most consistently replicated linkage findings have been on chromosome 7q, 2q, and 15q. The positive associations from candidate gene studies are largely unreplicated, with the possible exceptions of the GABRB3 and serotonin transporter genes. No single region of the brain or pathophysiological mechanism has yet been identified as being associated with autism. Postmortem findings, animal models, and neuroimaging studies have focused on the cerebellum, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and especially the amygdala. The cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit may also be influential in autism. There is evidence that overall brain size is increased in some individuals with autism. Presently there are no drugs that produce major improvements in the core social or pragmatic language deficits in autism, although several have limited effects on associated behavioral features. The application of new techniques in autism research is being proposed, including the investigation of abnormal regulation of gene expression, proteomics, and the use of MRI and postmortem analysis of the brain.

Animals↗

Hex-MASP for mapping the whole-tissue spatial proteome and the intrabrain distribution of monoclonal antibodies.

Whole-tissue level spatial proteomics provides critical insights into region-specific biological regulations but remains challenging. Previously, we introduced the micro-scaffold assisted spatial proteomics (MASP) concept for whole-tissue mapping. However, this prototype required substantial development in spatial resolution, practicality, and throughput for practical application. Here we present a next-generation MASP technique (hex-MASP) featuring i) a new design of hexagonal-micro-wells fabricated with optimized projection micro-stereolithography 3D-printing, achieving high spatial resolution, sampling robustness, and mechanical strength for reproducibly compartmentalizing even tough tissues; ii) enhanced throughput/effectiveness in sample preparation and LC-MS analysis with high quantitative quality. Applied to mouse brain, hex-MASP achieved in-depth, whole-tissue mapping for >6,000 proteins in mouse brains, with high spatial accuracy and excellent data quality. The substantially improved resolution revealed critical regional details across the entire brain, that were not previously captured, enabling precise depiction of protein distribution heterogeneity. This technique enabled the identification of many unreported regionally enriched proteins across brain structures. We further applied hex-MASP to investigate the intrabrain distribution of intracerebroventricularly dosed antibody therapeutics and related proteins, which enabled whole-tissue mapping of protein drugs revealed insights into antibody brain penetration and distribution. Hex-MASP represents a robust, scalable platform for whole-tissue spatial proteomics.

Animals↗

Aberrant expression of dihydropyrimidinase related proteins-2,-3 and -4 in fetal Down syndrome brain.

Pathfinding of growing axons to reach their target during brain development is a subtle process needed to build up contacts between neurons. Abnormalities in brain development in Down Syndrome (DS) are described in a couple of morphological reports but the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal wiring in fetal DS brain are not yet elucidated. We therefore performed a study using the proteomic approach to show differences in protein levels involved in the guidance of axons between control and DS brain in early prenatal life. Proteins obtained from autopsy of human fetal abortus were applied on 2-dimensional gel, identified and quantified. We quantified 5 members of the semaphorin/collapsin family, the dihydropyrimidinase related proteins 1-4 and the collapsin response mediator protein-5 (CRMP-5) in 8 DS and 7 control cortex samples. DRP-1 and CRMP-5 levels were comparable in the control and DS samples. Evaluation of DRP-2, DRP-3 and DRP-4 revealed significantly decreased levels of 2 of the 15 spots assigned to DRP-2 and increased levels of one spot assigned to DRP-3 and increased DRP-4 in DS brain. We conclude that as early as from the 19th week of gestation pathfinding cues of the outgrowing axons are impaired in DS. These findings may help to elucidate mechanisms leading to abnormalities in neural migration of DS brain.

Brain↗

Changes of the cortex proteome and Apolipoprotein E in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Transgenic mice carrying human Amyloid Precursor Protein mutations present amyloid plaque deposition in the brain upon aging. In this study, we characterized the changes of cortex proteome and endogenous Apolipoprotein E in these mice. Differential analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis images revealed spots altered upon aging, transgene addition and plaque deposition. Alpha-synuclein and cytochrome oxidase polypeptide Va were up-regulated in transgenic mice. Upon aging, expression of ATP synthase alpha, alpha enolase, UMP-CMP kinase, and dihydropyrimidinase like-2 protein was modified. These proteins and their modification probably play a role in the amyloid aggregate formation in these mice.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Endogenously nitrated proteins in mouse brain: links to neurodegenerative disease.

Increased abundance of nitrotyrosine modifications of proteins have been documented in multiple pathologies in a variety of tissue types and play a role in the redox regulation of normal metabolism. To identify proteins sensitive to nitrating conditions in vivo, a comprehensive proteomic data set identifying 7792 proteins from a whole mouse brain, generated by LC/LC-MS/MS analyses, was used to identify nitrated proteins. This analysis resulted in the identification of 31 unique nitrotyrosine sites within 29 different proteins. More than half of the nitrated proteins that have been identified are involved in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or other neurodegenerative disorders. Similarly, nitrotyrosine immunoblots of whole brain homogenates show that treatment of mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), an experimental model of Parkinson's disease, induces an increased level of nitration of the same protein bands observed to be nitrated in brains of untreated animals. Comparing sequences and available high-resolution structures around nitrated tyrosines with those of unmodified sites indicates a preference of nitration in vivo for surface accessible tyrosines in loops, a characteristic consistent with peroxynitrite-induced tyrosine modification. In addition, most sequences contain cysteines or methionines proximal to nitrotyrosines, contrary to suggestions that these amino acid side chains prevent tyrosine nitration. More striking is the presence of a positively charged moiety near the sites of nitration, which is not observed for non-nitrated tyrosines. Together, these observations suggest a predictive tool of functionally important sites of nitration and that cellular nitrating conditions play a role in neurodegenerative changes in the brain.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

A pilot proteomic study of amyloid precursor interactors in Alzheimer's disease.

Several approaches have been used in an effort to identify proteins that interact with beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, few studies have addressed the identification of proteins associated with APP in brain tissue from patients with Alzheimer's disease. We report the results of a pilot proteomic study performed on complexes immunoprecipitated with APP in brain samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease and normal control subjects. The 21 proteins identified could be grouped into five functional classes: molecular chaperones, cytoskeletal and structural proteins, proteins involved in trafficking, adaptors, and enzymes. Among the proteins identified, six had been reported previously as direct, indirect, or genetically inferred APP interactors. The other 15 proteins immunoprecipitated with APP were novel potential partners. We confirmed the APP interaction by Western blotting and coimmunolocalization in brain tissues, for 5 of the 21 interactors. In agreement with previous studies, our results are compatible with an involvement of APP in axonal transport and vesicular trafficking, and with a potential association of APP with cellular protein folding/protein degradation systems.

Alzheimer Disease↗