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Pathological implications of nucleic acid interactions with proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases

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Abstract

Protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) refer to a group of diseases related to the misfolding of particular proteins that aggregate and deposit in the cells and tissues of humans and other mammals. The mechanisms that trigger protein misfolding and aggregation are still not fully understood. Increasing experimental evidence indicates that abnormal interactions between PMD-related proteins and nucleic acids (NAs) can induce conformational changes. Here, we discuss these protein–NA interactions and address the role of deoxyribonucleic (DNA) and ribonucleic (RNA) acid molecules in the conformational conversion of different proteins that aggregate in PMDs, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases. Studies on the affinity, stability, and specificity of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases and NAs are specifically addressed. A landscape of reciprocal effects resulting from the binding of prion proteins, amyloid-β peptides, tau proteins, huntingtin, and α-synuclein are presented here to clarify the possible role of NAs, not only as encoders of genetic information but also in triggering PMDs.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

α-syn:

alpha-synuclein

HD:

Huntington’s disease

Htt:

huntingtin

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

PrP:

prion protein

PK:

proteinase K

rPrP:

recombinant prion protein

TSE:

transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

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Acknowledgments

The laboratory work of Y.C. and J.L.S. was supported by grants from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifíco e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP) of Brazil.

Conflict of interest

Authors Yraima Cordeiro, Bruno Macedo, Jerson L. Silva and Mariana P. B. Gomes declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Studies

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil

    Yraima Cordeiro, Bruno Macedo & Mariana P. B. Gomes

  2. Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil

    Jerson L. Silva

  3. Cidade Universitária, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Prédio do CCS, Bloco B, Subsolo, Sala 17, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil

    Yraima Cordeiro

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  1. Yraima Cordeiro
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  2. Bruno Macedo
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  4. Mariana P. B. Gomes
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Correspondence to Yraima Cordeiro.

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Special Issue Advances in Biophysics in Latin America

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Cordeiro, Y., Macedo, B., Silva, J.L. et al. Pathological implications of nucleic acid interactions with proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Biophys Rev 6, 97–110 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-013-0132-0

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