Biology subjects

Gomes Moreira, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Gomes Moreira, D..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Molecular signatures of altered energy metabolism and circadian rhythm perturbations in a model of extra-nigral Synucleinopathy.

A pathological role of alpha-Synuclein (aSyn) aggregation in the central nervous system (CNS) is a recognized feature in Parkinson disease (PD) and related neurodegenerative conditions termed synucleinopathies. In order to characterize the cellular response in CNS to incipient and advanced aSyn pathology, we applied spatial transcriptomics on brain sections derived from a transgenic mouse model (M83+/+ line, Prnp-SNCA*A53T) in which aSyn aggregation was induced in a prion-like fashion through hindlimb intramuscular delivery of pre-formed fibrillar (PFF) murine aSyn. Our spatially-resolved transcriptomics (ST) data point to unique perturbations in brain energy metabolism during the progression of aSyn pathology, such that the early stage of aSyn aggregate pathology activates molecular pathways controlling metabolic flux through glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism. In contrast, the ST data indicate a profound decline in mitochondrial metabolism in the brains of symptomatic animals with advanced aSyn pathology. The latter stage was also associated with drastic reduction in mRNA translation machinery, along with aberrant expression of molecular drivers involved in RNA splicing and inflammatory response. Intriguingly, our ST data also point to perturbed regulation of circadian rhythm, was corroborated by increased immunodetection of CREB-binding protein (a modulator of core clock machinery) in the brains of symptomatic animals, and transcriptional upregulation of CREBBP in 4 independent PD microarray datasets. Collectively, we anticipate that our findings offer novel opportunities in knowledge translation for mechanism-based drug discovery and biomarkers in neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Bradykinesia and postural instability in a model of prodromal Synucleinopathy with alpha-Synuclein aggregation in the gigantocellular nuclei.

-Synuclein (aSyn) accumulation within the extra-nigral neuronal populations in brainstem, including the gigantocellular nuclei (GRN/Gi) of reticular formation, is a recognized feature during the prodromal phase of Parkinson disease (PD). Accordingly, there is a burgeoning interest in animal model development for understanding the pathological significance of extra-nigral synucleinopathy, in relation to motor and/or non-motor symptomatology in PD. Here, we report an experimental paradigm for the induction of aSyn aggregation in brainstem, with stereotaxic delivery of pre-formed fibrillar (PFF) aSyn in the pontine GRN of transgenic mice expressing the mutant human Ala53Thr aSyn (M83 line). Our data show that PFF aSyn-induced aggregate pathology in GRN leads to progressive decline in spontaneous locomotion and an early phenotype of postural instability. This early phase of bradykinesia was followed by a moribund stage, characterized by worsening motor performance and impaired survival with substantial aSyn aggregation in several brain regions beyond the GRN. Collectively, our observations suggest an experimental framework for studying the pathological significance of aSyn aggregation in GRN in relation to features of movement disability in PD. With further refinements, we anticipate that this model holds promise as a test-bed for translational research in PD and related disorders.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Alzheimer's disease linked Aβ42 exerts product feedback inhibition on γsecretase impairing downstream cell signaling

Amyloid {beta} (A{beta}) peptides accumulating in the brain are proposed to trigger Alzheimers disease (AD). However, molecular cascades underlying their toxicity are poorly defined. Here, we explored a novel hypothesis for A{beta}42 toxicity that arises from its proven affinity for {gamma}-secretases. We hypothesized that the reported increases in A{beta}42, particularly in the endolysosomal compartment, promote the establishment of a product feedback inhibitory mechanism on {gamma}-secretases, and thereby impair downstream signaling events. We show that human A{beta}42 peptides, but neither murine A{beta}42 nor human A{beta}17-42 (p3), inhibit {gamma}-secretases and trigger accumulation of unprocessed substrates in neurons, including C-terminal fragments (CTFs) of APP, p75 and pan-cadherin. Moreover, A{beta}42 treatment dysregulated cellular homeostasis, as shown by the induction of p75-dependent neuronal death in two distinct cellular systems. Our findings raise the possibility that pathological elevations in A{beta}42 contribute to cellular toxicity via the {gamma}-secretase inhibition, and provide a novel conceptual framework to address A{beta} toxicity in the context of {gamma}-secretase-dependent homeostatic signaling.

biochemistry↗