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Aggregation of gelsolin wild-type and G167K/R, N184K, and D187N/Y mutant peptides and inhibition

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Abstract

Gelsolin, an actin-binding protein, is localized intra- and extracellularly in the bloodstream and throughout the body. Gelsolin amyloidosis is a disease characterized by several point mutations that lead to cleavage and fibrillization of gelsolin. The D187 mutation to N or Y leads to aggregation of peptide fragments with shortest aggregating peptide identified as 182SFNNGDCFILD192. Recently, G167 has also been identified as relevant gelsolin mutation, which leads to gelsolin deposits in kidneys, but its aggregation is much less understood. Hence, we systematically investigated in vitro the aggregation propensities of the following gelsolin peptides: 167GRRVV171 (1), 161RLFQVKG167 (2), 184NNGDCFILDL193 (3), 188CFILDL193 (4), 187DCFILDL193 (5), and their respective mutants (G167K, G167R, N184K, D187Y, D187N), by using spectroscopic methods [fluorescence Proteostat, Thioflavin T (ThT), turbidity assay, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)], and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The (non) mutant peptides containing CFILDL sequence aggregated into fibrillar networks, while G167R mutation promoted aggregation compared to the wild-type sequence. In the presence of inhibitors, Methylene Blue (MB) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the gelsolin peptide (3–5) aggregation was reduced with the IC50 values in the 2–13 µM range. We discovered that inhibitors have dual functionality, as aggregation inhibitors and disaggregation promoters, potentially allowing for the prevention and reversal of gelsolin amyloidosis. Such therapeutic strategies may improve outcomes related to other amyloidogenic diseases of the heart, brain, and eye.

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Acknowledgements

Mohanad Ahmad thanks the Department of Chemistry at Oakland University for support. Shivani Dabadi carried out preliminary experiments with gelsolin peptide 5. Authors acknowledge Imaging Facilities at Michigan State University and Trent University, Drs. D. Szlag (Oakland University), N. Beyeh (Oakland University), and C. Metcalfe (Trent University) for instrument access. M.A., J. E., C.G., S.M., and C.W. designed the experiments discussed in this study and wrote the manuscript. M.A., J. E., and C. G. carried out the experiments. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript. This work was supported by American Heart Association Grant #18IPA34170477 to S. M. (2018–2020) and G.W. (2019–2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA

    Mohanad Ahmad & Colin Wu

  2. Department of Forensic Science, Environmental and Life Science Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada

    Josephine Esposto, Camilla Golec & Sanela Martic-Milne

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  1. Mohanad Ahmad
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Ahmad, M., Esposto, J., Golec, C. et al. Aggregation of gelsolin wild-type and G167K/R, N184K, and D187N/Y mutant peptides and inhibition. Mol Cell Biochem 476, 2393–2408 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-021-04085-6

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