In 2009, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) proposed a set of recommendations for the definition of distinct cell death morphologies and for the appropriate use of cell death-related ...terminology, including 'apoptosis', 'necrosis' and 'mitotic catastrophe'. In view of the substantial progress in the biochemical and genetic exploration of cell death, time has come to switch from morphological to molecular definitions of cell death modalities. Here we propose a functional classification of cell death subroutines that applies to both in vitro and in vivo settings and includes extrinsic apoptosis, caspase-dependent or -independent intrinsic apoptosis, regulated necrosis, autophagic cell death and mitotic catastrophe. Moreover, we discuss the utility of expressions indicating additional cell death modalities. On the basis of the new, revised NCCD classification, cell death subroutines are defined by a series of precise, measurable biochemical features.
Highlights • We examine changes of over 1000 miRNAs in human neural cells by Toxoplasma infection. • MiR-132 is highly upregulated by all three prototype Toxoplasma strains. • Dopamine receptor ...signaling is predicted to be the most regulated by miR-132. • Several members of dopamine receptor pathway have been repressed in mice infection. • An elevation in the concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites occurred.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disorder with many different causes, yet they may intersect in common pathways, raising the possibility that neuroprotective agents may have broad applicability ...in the treatment of PD. Current evidence suggests that mitochondrial complex I inhibition may be the central cause of sporadic PD and that derangements in complex I cause α-synuclein aggregation, which contributes to the demise of dopamine neurons. Accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein may further contribute to the death of dopamine neurons through impairments in protein handling and detoxification. Dysfunction of parkin (a ubiquitin E3 ligase) and DJ-1 could contribute to these deficits. Strategies aimed at restoring complex I activity, reducing oxidative stress and α-synuclein aggregation, and enhancing protein degradation may hold particular promise as powerful neuroprotective agents in the treatment of PD.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that results primarily from the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although the etiology of PD is ...incompletely understood, the recent discovery of genes associated with rare monogenic forms of the disease, together with earlier studies and new experimental animal models, has provided important and novel insight into the molecular pathways involved in disease pathogenesis. Increasing evidence indicates that deficits in mitochondrial function, oxidative and nitrosative stress, the accumulation of aberrant or misfolded proteins, and ubiquitin-proteasome system dysfunction may represent the principal molecular pathways or events that commonly underlie the pathogenesis of sporadic and familial forms of PD .
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex genetic disorder that is associated with environmental risk factors and aging. Vertebrate genetic models, especially mice, have aided the study of ...autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive PD. Mice are capable of showing a broad range of phenotypes and, coupled with their conserved genetic and anatomical structures, provide unparalleled molecular and pathological tools to model human disease. These models used in combination with aging and PD-associated toxins have expanded our understanding of PD pathogenesis. Attempts to refine PD animal models using conditional approaches have yielded in vivo nigrostriatal degeneration that is instructive in ordering pathogenic signaling and in developing therapeutic strategies to cure or halt the disease. Here, we provide an overview of the generation and characterization of transgenic and knockout mice used to study PD followed by a review of the molecular insights that have been gleaned from current PD mouse models. Finally, potential approaches to refine and improve current models are discussed.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) protects the genome by functioning in the DNA damage surveillance network. PARP-1 is also a mediator of cell death after ischemia-reperfusion injury, glutamate ...excitotoxicity, and various inflammatory processes. We show that PARP-1 activation is required for translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the nucleus and that AIF is necessary for PARP-1-dependent cell death. N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, H2O2, and N-methyl-D-aspartate induce AIF translocation and cell death, which is prevented by PARP inhibitors or genetic knockout of PARP-1, but is caspase independent. Microinjection of an antibody to AIF protects against PARP-1-dependent cytotoxicity. These data support a model in which PARP-1 activation signals AIF release from mitochondria, resulting in a caspase-independent pathway of programmed cell death.
Expanded polyglutamine repeats have been proposed to cause neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease (HD) and related disorders, through abnormal interactions with other proteins containing short ...polyglutamine tracts such as the transcriptional coactivator CREB binding protein, CBP. We found that CBP was depleted from its normal nuclear location and was present in polyglutamine aggregates in HD cell culture models. HD transgenic mice, and human HD postmortem brain. Expanded polyglutamine repeats specifically interfere with CBP-activated gene transcription, and overexpression of CBP rescued polyglutamine-induced neuronal toxicity. Thus, polyglutamine-mediated interference with CBP-regulated gene transcription may constitute a genetic gain of function, underlying the pathogenesis of polyglutamine disorders.
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation plays an important role in modulating the cellular response to stress. The extent of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, chiefly via the activation of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 ...(PARP-1), correlates with the severity of genotoxic stress and this determines the cellular response. Under mild and moderate stress, it plays important roles in DNA processing and it participates in the proinflammatory/cellular defense via transcriptional regulation. However, severe stress following acute neuronal injury causes the overactivation of PARP-1, which results in unregulated poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) synthesis and widespread neuronal cell death. Previously, this PARP-1-dependent cell death mechanism was manifest solely through necrosis, but apoptotic mechanisms are also evident. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation directly induces the nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, which results in caspase-independent cell death significant in many neurodegenerative conditions. Further, the hydrolysis of PAR by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) has a protective role, since the accumulation of PAR leads to cell death by apoptosis. Thus, PAR signaling, regulated by PARP-1 and PARG, mediates cell death. Accordingly, modulation of PAR synthesis or degradation through the targeting of PARP-1 or PARG holds particular promise in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, stroke, and Parkinson's disease.
The major challenge in treating cancer is that many tumor cells carry mutations in key apoptotic genes such as p53, Bcl family proteins or those affecting caspase signaling. Such defects render ...treatment with traditional chemotherapeutic agents ineffective. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of caspase-independent cell death pathways in injury, degenerative diseases and tumor tissue. It is now recognized that in addition to their critical role in the production of cellular energy, mitochondria are also the source of key proapoptotic molecules involved in caspase activation. More recently, it has been discovered that in response to apoptotic stimuli, mitochondria can also release caspase-independent cell death effectors such as AIF and Endonuclease G. In this review, we examine the role of Bcl family proteins and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 signaling in the regulation of these apoptotic pathways and address the ongoing controversies in this field. Continued study of the mechanisms of apoptosis including caspase-independent death processes are likely to reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diverse human pathologies including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and acute injuries such as stroke or myocardial infarction.
Background and Purpose
The current lack of disease‐modifying therapeutics to manage neurological and neurodegenerative conditions justifies the development of more efficacious agents. One distinct ...pathway leading to neuronal death in these conditions and which represents a very promising and attractive therapeutic target is parthanatos, involving overactivation of PARP‐1. We therefore sought to identify small molecules that could be neuroprotective by targeting the pathway.
Experimental Approach
Using HeLa cells, we developed and optimized an assay for high‐throughput screening of about 5120 small molecules. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out in HeLa and SH‐SY5Y cells for molecules related to the initial active compound. The neuroprotective ability of each active compound was tested in cortical neuronal cultures.
Key Results
4'‐Methoxyflavone (4MF) showed activity by preventing the decrease in cell viability of HeLa and SH‐SY5Y cells caused by the DNA‐alkylating agent, N‐methyl‐N‘‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), which induces parthanatos. A similar compound from the SAR study, 3',4'‐dimethoxyflavone (DMF), also showed significant activity. Both compounds reduced the synthesis and accumulation of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymer and protected cortical neurones against cell death induced by NMDA.
Conclusions and Implications
Our data reveal additional neuroprotective members of the flavone class of flavonoids and show that methoxylation of the parent flavone structure at position 4′ confers parthanatos‐inhibiting activity while additional methoxylation at position 3′, reported by others to improve metabolic stability, does not destroy the activity. These molecules may therefore serve as leads for the development of novel neurotherapeutics for the management of neurological and neurodegenerative conditions.
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