Biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids are thought to perform a wide range of critical cellular functions by maintaining spatiotemporal regulation and organizing intracellular biochemistry. However, aberrant phase transitions are implicated in a multitude of human diseases. Here, we demonstrate that two neuronal proteins namely, tau and prion undergo complex coacervation driven by domain-specific electrostatic interactions to yield highly dynamic, mesoscopic liquid-like droplets. The acidic N-terminal segment of tau interacts electrostatically with the polybasic N-terminal intrinsically disordered segment of the prion protein (PrP). We employed a unique combination of time-resolved tools that encompass several orders of magnitude of timescales ranging from nanoseconds to seconds. These studies unveil an intriguing orchestra of molecular events associated with the formation of heterotypic condensates comprising ephemeral, domain-specific, short-range electrostatic nanoclusters. Our results reveal that these heterotypic condensates can be tuned by RNA in a stoichiometry-dependent manner resulting in reversible, multiphasic, immiscible, ternary condensates of different morphologies ranging from core-shell to nested droplets. This ternary system exhibits a typical three-regime phase behavior reminiscent of other membraneless organelles including nucleolar condensates. We also show that upon aging, tau-PrP droplets gradually convert into solid-like co-assemblies by sequestration of persistent intermolecular interactions. Our vibrational Raman spectroscopic data in conjunction with atomic force microscopy and multi-color fluorescence imaging results reveal the presence of amorphous and amyloid-like co-aggregates upon maturation. Our findings provide mechanistic underpinnings of overlapping neuropathology involving tau and PrP and highlight a broader role of complex phase transitions in physiology and disease.

Heterotypic electrostatic interactions control complex phase separation of tau and prion into multiphasic condensates and co-aggregates

The synucleins are a family of natively unfolded (or intrinsically unstructured) proteins consisting of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein involved in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The current number of publications on synucleins has exceeded 16.000. They remain the subject of constant interest for over 35 years. Two reasons explain this unchanging attention: synuclein’s association with several severe human diseases and the lack of understanding of the functional roles under normal physiological conditions. We analyzed recent publications to look at the main trends and developments in synuclein research and discuss possible future directions. Traditional areas of peak research interest which still remain high among last year’s publications are comparative studies of structural features as well as functional research on of three members of the synuclein family. Another popular research topic in the area is a mechanism of α-synuclein accumulation, aggregation, and fibrillation. Exciting fast-growing area of recent research is α-synuclein and epigenetics. We do not present here a broad and comprehensive review of all directions of studies but summarize only the most significant recent findings relevant to these topics and outline potential future directions.

/pdf/synucleins-new-data-on-misfolding-aggregation-and-role-in-355hfdpb.pdf

Synucleins: New Data on Misfolding, Aggregation and Role in Diseases

Liquid-liquid phase separation of protein tau: An emerging process in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease around the world; however, its pathogenesis remains unclear so far. Recent advances have shown that DNA damage and repair deficiency play an important role in the pathophysiology of PD. There is growing evidence suggesting that DNA damage is involved in the propagation of cellular damage in PD, leading to neuropathology under different conditions. Here, we reviewed the current work on DNA damage repair in PD. First, we outlined the evidence and causes of DNA damage in PD. Second, we described the potential pathways by which DNA damage mediates neurotoxicity in PD and discussed the precise mechanisms that drive these processes by DNA damage. In addition, we looked ahead to the potential interventions targeting DNA damage and repair. Finally, based on the current status of research, key problems that need to be addressed in future research were proposed.

/pdf/dna-damage-mediated-neurotoxicity-in-parkinsons-disease-2hng3xw0.pdf

DNA Damage-Mediated Neurotoxicity in Parkinson’s Disease

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an emerging phenomenon in cell physiology and diseases. The weak multivalent interaction prerequisite for LLPS is believed to be facilitated through intrinsically disordered regions, which are prevalent in neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins. These aggregation-prone proteins also exhibit an inherent property for phase separation, resulting in protein-rich liquid-like droplets. The very high local protein concentration in the water-deficient confined microenvironment not only drives the viscoelastic transition from the liquid to solid-like state but also most often nucleate amyloid fibril formation. Indeed, protein misfolding, oligomerization, and amyloid aggregation are observed to be initiated from the LLPS of various neurodegeneration-related proteins. Moreover, in these cases, neurodegeneration-promoting genetic and environmental factors play a direct role in amyloid aggregation preceded by the phase separation. These cumulative recent observations ignite the possibility of LLPS being a prominent nucleation mechanism associated with aberrant protein aggregation. The present review elaborates on the nucleation mechanism of the amyloid aggregation pathway and the possible early molecular events associated with amyloid-related protein phase separation. It also summarizes the recent advancement in understanding the aberrant phase transition of major proteins contributing to neurodegeneration focusing on the common disease-associated factors. Overall, this review proposes a generic LLPS-mediated multistep nucleation mechanism for amyloid aggregation and its implication in neurodegeneration.

Protein misfolding and amyloid nucleation through liquid-liquid phase separation.

Abstract Amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. Recently, Tau protein, generally associated with Alzheimer’s disease, has been linked to αS pathology and observed to co-localize in αS-rich disease inclusions, although the molecular mechanisms for the co-aggregation of both proteins remain elusive. We report here that αS phase-separates into liquid condensates by electrostatic complex coacervation with positively charged polypeptides such as Tau. Condensates undergo either fast gelation or coalescence followed by slow amyloid aggregation depending on the affinity of αS for the poly-cation and the rate of valence exhaustion of the condensate network. By combining a set of advanced biophysical techniques, we have been able to characterize αS/Tau liquid-liquid phase separation and identified key factors that lead to the formation of hetero-aggregates containing both proteins in the interior of the liquid protein condensates. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32350-9.pdf

Molecular mechanism for the synchronized electrostatic coacervation and co-aggregation of alpha-synuclein and tau

Chlorite dismutases (Clds) are heme b-containing oxidoreductases that can decompose chlorite to chloride and molecular oxygen. They are divided in two clades that differ in oligomerization, subunit architecture, and the hydrogen-bonding network of the distal catalytic arginine, which is proposed to switch between two conformations during turnover. To understand the impact of the conformational dynamics of this basic amino acid on heme coordination, structure, and catalysis, Cld from Cyanothece sp. PCC7425 was used as a model enzyme. As typical for a clade 2 Cld, its distal arginine 127 is hydrogen-bonded to glutamine 74. The latter has been exchanged with either glutamate (Q74E) to arrest R127 in a salt bridge or valine (Q74V) that mirrors the setting in clade 1 Clds. We present the X-ray crystal structures of Q74V and Q74E and demonstrate the pH-induced changes in the environment and coordination of the heme iron by ultraviolet-visible, circular dichroism, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies as well as differential scanning calorimetry. The conformational dynamics of R127 is shown to have a significant role in heme coordination during the alkaline transition and in the thermal stability of the heme cavity, whereas its impact on the catalytic efficiency of chlorite degradation is relatively small. The findings are discussed with respect to (i) the flexible loop connecting the N-terminal and C-terminal ferredoxin-like domains, which differs in clade 1 and clade 2 Clds and carries Q74 in clade 2 proteins, and (ii) the proposed role(s) of the arginine in catalysis.

Arresting the Catalytic Arginine in Chlorite Dismutases: Impact on Heme Coordination, Thermal Stability, and Catalysis

The heme enzyme chlorite dismutase (Cld) catalyzes the degradation of chlorite to chloride and dioxygen. Many questions about the molecular reaction mechanism of this iron protein have remained unanswered, including the electronic nature of the catalytically relevant oxoiron(IV) intermediate and its interaction with the distal, flexible, and catalytically active arginine. Here, we have investigated the dimeric Cld from Cyanothece sp. PCC7425 (CCld) and two variants having the catalytic arginine R127 (i) hydrogen-bonded to glutamine Q74 (wild-type CCld), (ii) arrested in a salt bridge with a glutamate (Q74E), or (iii) being fully flexible (Q74V). Presented stopped-flow spectroscopic studies demonstrate the initial and transient appearance of Compound I in the reaction between CCld and chlorite at pH 5.0 and 7.0 and the dominance of spectral features of an oxoiron(IV) species (418, 528, and 551 nm) during most of the chlorite degradation period at neutral and alkaline pH. Arresting the R127 in a salt bridge delays chlorite decomposition, whereas increased flexibility accelerates the reaction. The dynamics of R127 does not affect the formation of Compound I mediated by hypochlorite but has an influence on Compound I stability, which decreases rapidly with increasing pH. The decrease in activity is accompanied by the formation of protein-based amino acid radicals. Compound I is demonstrated to oxidize iodide, chlorite, and serotonin but not hypochlorite. Serotonin is able to dampen oxidative damage and inactivation of CCld at neutral and alkaline pH. Presented data are discussed with respect to the molecular mechanism of Cld and the pronounced pH dependence of chlorite degradation.

Compound I Formation and Reactivity in Dimeric Chlorite Dismutase: Impact of pH and the Dynamics of the Catalytic Arginine

Performance Comparison of Different Rapid Freeze–Quench Strategies for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

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Molecular mechanism for the synchronized electrostatic coacervation and co-aggregation of alpha-synuclein and tau

Arresting the Catalytic Arginine in Chlorite Dismutases: Impact on Heme Coordination, Thermal Stability, and Catalysis

Compound I Formation and Reactivity in Dimeric Chlorite Dismutase: Impact of pH and the Dynamics of the Catalytic Arginine

Performance Comparison of Different Rapid Freeze–Quench Strategies for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance