Arash Velayati

α-Synuclein Interacts with Glucocerebrosidase Providing a Molecular Link between Parkinson and Gaucher Diseases

The presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn), particularly in its amyloid form, is widely recognized for its involvement in Parkinson disease (PD). Recent genetic studies reveal that mutations in the gene GBA are the most widespread genetic risk factor for parkinsonism identified to date. GBA encodes for glucocerebrosidase (GCase), the enzyme deficient in the lysosomal storage disorder, Gaucher disease (GD). In this work, we investigated the possibility of a physical linkage between α-syn and GCase, examining both wild type and the GD-related N370S mutant enzyme. Using fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we determined that α-syn and GCase interact selectively under lysosomal solution conditions (pH 5.5) and mapped the interaction site to the α-syn C-terminal residues, 118–137. This α-syn-GCase complex does not form at pH 7.4 and is stabilized by electrostatics, with dissociation constants ranging from 1.2 to 22 μm in the presence of 25 to 100 mm NaCl. Intriguingly, the N370S mutant form of GCase has a reduced affinity for α-syn, as does the inhibitor conduritol-β-epoxide-bound enzyme. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies verified this interaction in human tissue and neuronal cell culture, respectively. Although our data do not preclude protein-protein interactions in other cellular milieux, we suggest that the α-syn-GCase association is favored in the lysosome, and that this noncovalent interaction provides the groundwork to explore molecular mechanisms linking PD with mutant GBA alleles.

The Role of Glucocerebrosidase Mutations in Parkinson Disease and Lewy Body Disorders

Mutations in the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA), the enzyme deficient in the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease, are associated with the development of Parkinson disease and other Lewy body disorders. In fact, GBA variants are currently the most common genetic risk factor associated with parkinsonism, and identified subjects with Parkinson disease are more than five times more likely to carry mutations in GBA. The mechanisms underlying this association are not known, but proposed theories include enhanced protein aggregation, alterations in lipid levels, and autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction promoting the retention of undegraded proteins. We review the genetic studies linking GBA to parkinsonism, as well as several of the mechanisms postulated to explain the association of GBA mutations and the synucleinopathies, which demonstrate how studies of a rare mendelian disease may provide insights into our understanding of a common complex disorder.

Discovery, structure-activity relationship, and biological evaluation of noninhibitory small molecule chaperones of glucocerebrosidase.

A major challenge in the field of Gaucher disease has been the development of new therapeutic strategies including molecular chaperones. All previously described chaperones of glucocerebrosidase are enzyme inhibitors, which complicates their clinical development because their chaperone activity must be balanced against the functional inhibition of the enzyme. Using a novel high throughput screening methodology, we identified a chemical series that does not inhibit the enzyme but can still facilitate its translocation to the lysosome as measured by immunostaining of glucocerebrosidase in patient fibroblasts. These compounds provide the basis for the development of a novel approach toward small molecule treatment for patients with Gaucher disease.

Membrane-bound α-synuclein interacts with glucocerebrosidase and inhibits enzyme activity

Mutations in GBA, the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase, the lysosomal enzyme deficient in Gaucher disease increase the risk for developing Parkinson disease. Recent research suggests a relationship between glucocerebrosidase and the Parkinson disease-related amyloid-forming protein, α-synuclein; however, the specific molecular mechanisms responsible for association remain elusive. Previously, we showed that α-synuclein and glucocerebrosidase interact selectively under lysosomal conditions, and proposed that this newly identified interaction might influence cellular levels of α-synuclein by either promoting protein degradation and/or preventing aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that membrane-bound α-synuclein interacts with glucocerebrosidase, and that this complex formation inhibits enzyme function. Using site-specific fluorescence and Förster energy transfer probes, we mapped the protein-enzyme interacting regions on unilamellar vesicles. Our data suggest that on the membrane surface, the glucocerebrosidase-α-synuclein interaction involves a larger α-synuclein region compared to that found in solution. In addition, α-synuclein acts as a mixed inhibitor with an apparent IC(50) in the submicromolar range. Importantly, the membrane-bound, α-helical form of α-synuclein is necessary for inhibition. This glucocerebrosidase interaction and inhibition likely contribute to the mechanism underlying GBA-associated parkinsonism.

A mutation in SCARB2 is a modifier in Gaucher disease

Lysosomal integral membrane protein type 2 (LIMP‐2) is responsible for proper sorting and lysosomal targeting of glucocerebrosidase, the enzyme deficient in Gaucher disease (GD). Mutations in the gene for LIMP‐2, SCARB2, are implicated in inherited forms of myoclonic epilepsy, and myoclonic epilepsy is part of the phenotypic spectrum associated with GD. We investigated whether SCARB2 mutations impact the Gaucher phenotype focusing on patients with myoclonic epilepsy, including a pair of siblings with GD who were discordant for myoclonic seizures. Sequencing of SCARB2 genomic and cDNA identified a heterozygous, maternally inherited novel mutation, c.1412A>G (p.Glu471Gly), in the brother with GD and myoclonic epilepsy, absent from his sibling and controls. Glucocerebrosidase activity, Western blots, real‐time PCR, and immunofluorescence studies demonstrated markedly decreased LIMP‐2 and glucocerebrosidase in cells from the sibling with (p.Glu471Gly) LIMP‐2, and diminished glucocerebrosidase in lysosomes. The cells secreted highly glycosylated enzyme and showed mistrafficking of glucocerebrosidase. Sequencing of SCARB2 in 13 other subjects with GD and myoclonic epilepsy and 40 controls failed to identify additional mutations. The study provides further evidence for the association of LIMP‐2 and myoclonic epilepsy, explains the drastically different phenotypes encountered in the siblings, and demonstrates that LIMP‐2 can serve as a modifier in GD. Hum Mutat 32:1232–1238, 2011. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aggregation of α-synuclein in brain samples from subjects with glucocerebrosidase mutations.

Recent studies show an increased frequency of mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1) in patients with α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson disease. Some patients with Gaucher disease (GD) develop parkinsonism with α-synuclein-positive inclusions post mortem. Proteins were extracted from the cerebral cortex of subjects with synucleinopathies with and without GBA1 mutations, controls and patients with GD. Patients with GBA1-associated synucleinopathies showed aggregation of oligomeric forms of α-synuclein in the SDS-soluble fraction, while only monomeric forms of α-synuclein were seen in subjects with GBA1 mutations without parkinsonism. Thus, brains from patients with GBA1-associated parkinsonism show biochemical characteristics typical of Lewy body disorders.

Saposin C Protects Glucocerebrosidase against α-Synuclein Inhibition

Mutations in GBA1, the gene for glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are genetic risk factors for Parkinson disease (PD). α-Synuclein (α-Syn), a protein implicated in PD, interacts with GCase and efficiently inhibits enzyme activity. GCase deficiency causes the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease (GD). We show that saposin C (Sap C), a protein vital for GCase activity in vivo, protects GCase against α-syn inhibition. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, site-specific fluorescence, and Förster energy transfer probes, Sap C was observed to displace α-syn from GCase in solution and on lipid vesicles. Our results suggest that Sap C might play a crucial role in GD-related PD.

Identification of miRNAs that modulate glucocerebrosidase activity in Gaucher disease cells

Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Although it is a monogenic disease, there is vast phenotypic heterogeneity, even among patients with the same genotype. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in many biological processes and diseases. To determine whether miRNAs can affect glucocerebrosidase activity, we performed a screen of 875 different miRNA mimics. The screen was performed using Gaucher fibroblasts, and glucocerebrosidase activity was used as the initial outcome parameter. We found several miRNAs that either up- or down-regulated glucocerebrosidase activity. In follow-up assays, we confirmed that one specific miRNA (miR-127–5p) down-regulated both glucocerebrosidase activity and protein levels by down-regulation of LIMP-2, the receptor involved in proper trafficking of glucocerebrosidase from the endoplasmic reticulum to the lysosome. A conditioned media assay demonstrated that cells treated with this miRNA secreted glucocerebrosidase into the extracellular environment, supporting impaired LIMP-2 function. Two other miRNAs, miR-16–5p and miR-195–5p, were found to up-regulate glucocerebrosidase activity by greater than 40% and to enhance expression and protein levels of the enzyme. In conclusion, we show that miRNAs can alter glucocerebrosidase activity in patient cells, indicating that miRNAs can potentially act as modifiers in Gaucher disease.

Discovery of a novel noniminosugar acid α glucosidase chaperone series.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA). Many disease-causing mutated GAA retain enzymatic activity but are not translocated from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to lysosomes. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only treatment for Pompe disease but remains expensive, inconvenient, and does not reverse all disease manifestations. It was postulated that small molecules which aid in protein folding and translocation to lysosomes could provide an alternate to ERT. Previously, several iminosugars have been proposed as small-molecule chaperones for specific LSDs. Here we identified a novel series of noniminosugar chaperones for GAA. These moderate GAA inhibitors are shown to bind and thermostabilize GAA and increase GAA translocation to lysosomes in both wild-type and Pompe fibroblasts. AMDE and physical properties studies indicate that this series is a promising lead for further pharmacokinetic evaluation and testing in Pompe disease models.

False-Positive Results Using a Gaucher Diagnostic Kit - RecTL and N370S

The Pronto Gaucher kits and Pronto Gaucher RecTL Amplification Mix, marketed to identify mutations in the gene for glucocerebrosidase, are widely used for the diagnosis of Gaucher disease. Subjects genotyped using this kit have been reported with an allele including both the common N370S mutation and RecTL, a previously described Gaucher mutation arising from recombination between the glucocerebrosidase gene and pseudogene. Using direct sequencing and real-time PCR, we show that the RecTL, N370S allele is a false positive result, demonstrating possible pitfalls of diagnostic kits.