HTRA1 Disaggregates α-synuclein Amyloid Fibrils and Converts Them into Non-toxic and Seeding Incompetent Species

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Mar 19

PMID 38499535

Authors

Sheng Chen

Anuradhika Puri

Braxton Bell

Joseph Fritsche

Hector H Palacios

Maurie Balch

Macy L Sprunger

Matthew K Howard

Jeremy J Ryan

Jessica N Haines

Gary J Patti

Albert A Davis

Meredith E Jackrel

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is closely linked to α-synuclein (α-syn) misfolding and accumulation in Lewy bodies. The PDZ serine protease HTRA1 degrades fibrillar tau, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease, and inactivating mutations to mitochondrial HTRA2 are implicated in PD. Here, we report that HTRA1 inhibits aggregation of α-syn as well as FUS and TDP-43, which are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The protease domain of HTRA1 is necessary and sufficient for inhibiting aggregation, yet this activity is proteolytically-independent. Further, HTRA1 disaggregates preformed α-syn fibrils, rendering them incapable of seeding aggregation of endogenous α-syn, while reducing HTRA1 expression promotes α-syn seeding. HTRA1 remodels α-syn fibrils by targeting the NAC domain, the key domain catalyzing α-syn amyloidogenesis. Finally, HTRA1 detoxifies α-syn fibrils and prevents formation of hyperphosphorylated α-syn accumulations in primary neurons. Our findings suggest that HTRA1 may be a therapeutic target for a range of neurodegenerative disorders.

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