Ursodeoxycholic Acid Binds PERK and Ameliorates Neurite Atrophy in a Cellular Model of GM2 Gangliosidosis.
Carolina MoralesMacarena FernandezRodrigo FerrerDaniel RaimundaDolores C CarrerMariana BolloPublished in: International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
The Unfolded protein response (UPR), triggered by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is a key driver of neurodegenerative diseases. GM2 gangliosidosis, which includes Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease, is caused by an accumulation of GM2, mainly in the brain, that leads to progressive neurodegeneration. Previously, we demonstrated in a cellular model of GM2 gangliosidosis that PERK, a UPR sensor, contributes to neuronal death. There is currently no approved treatment for these disorders. Chemical chaperones, such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), have been found to alleviate ER stress in cell and animal models. UDCA's ability to move across the blood-brain barrier makes it interesting as a therapeutic tool. Here, we found that UDCA significantly diminished the neurite atrophy induced by GM2 accumulation in primary neuron cultures. It also decreased the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic CHOP, a downstream PERK-signaling component. To explore its potential mechanisms of action, in vitro kinase assays and crosslinking experiments were performed with different variants of recombinant protein PERK, either in solution or in reconstituted liposomes. The results suggest a direct interaction between UDCA and the cytosolic domain of PERK, which promotes kinase phosphorylation and dimerization.
Keyphrases
- endoplasmic reticulum
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- protein kinase
- multiple sclerosis
- drug delivery
- resting state
- cerebral ischemia
- binding protein
- cell death
- amino acid
- single cell
- oxidative stress
- anti inflammatory
- gene expression
- diffuse large b cell lymphoma
- copy number
- cell therapy
- tyrosine kinase
- high throughput
- mouse model
- functional connectivity
- high density
- blood brain barrier
- cell free
- white matter
- stem cells