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Background The absence of transthyretin ( TTR) in AD mice decreases brain Aβ clearance and reduces the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 ( LRP1). It is possible that neuroprotection by TTR is dependent on its tetramer structural stability, as studies using TTR mutants showed that unstable L55P TTR has low affinity for Aβ, and TTR tetrameric stabilizers such as iododiflunisal ameliorate AD features in vivo. Methods We firstly investigated TTR folding status in human plasma measuring the resistance to urea denaturation. The importance of TTR stability on Aβ internalization was studied in human cerebral microvascular endothelial ( hCMEC/D3) and hepatoma cells (HepG2), by flow cytometry. To investigate the fate of Aβ at the blood-brain barrier, Aβ efflux from hCMEC/D3 cells seeded on transwells was measured using ELISA. Further, to assess Aβ colocalization with lysosomes, Lysotracker was used. Moreover, levels of LRP1 were assessed in the liver and plasma of mice with different TTR backgrounds or treated with iododiflunisal. Results We showed that TTR stability is decreased in AD and that WT TTR and drug-stabilized L55P TTR are able to increase uptake of Aβ. Furthermore, measurement of Aβ efflux showed that stable or stabilized TTR increased Aβ efflux from the basolateral to the apical side. Moreover, HepG2 cells incubated with Aβ in the presence of WT TTR, but not L55P TTR, showed an increased number of lysosomes. Further, in the presence of WT TTR, Aβ peptide colocalized with lysosomes, indicating that only stable TTR assists Aβ internalization, leading to its degradation. Finally, we demonstrated that only stable TTR can increase LRP1 levels. Conclusion TTR stabilization exerts a positive effect on Aβ clearance and LRP1 levels, suggesting that TTR protective role in AD is dependent on its stability. These results provide relevant information for the design of TTR-based therapeutic strategies for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggresome is an organelle that recruits aggregated proteins for storage and degradation. We performed an siRNA screen for proteins involved in aggresome formation and identified novel mammalian AAA+ protein disaggregases RuvbL1 and RuvbL2. Depletion of RuvbL1 or RuvbL2 suppressed aggresome formation and caused buildup of multiple cytoplasmic aggregates. Similarly, downregulation of RuvbL orthologs in yeast suppressed the formation of an aggresome-like body and enhanced the aggregate toxicity. In contrast, their overproduction enhanced the resistance to proteotoxic stress independently of chaperone Hsp104. Mammalian RuvbL associated with the aggresome, and the aggresome substrate synphilin-1 interacted directly with the RuvbL1 barrel-like structure near the opening of the central channel. Importantly, polypeptides with unfolded structures and amyloid fibrils stimulated the ATPase activity of RuvbL. Finally, disassembly of protein aggregates was promoted by RuvbL. These data indicate that RuvbL complexes serve as chaperones in protein disaggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous in vivo work showed that resveratrol has beneficial effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, resulting in increased expression of transthyretin (TTR). TTR binds amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide, avoiding its aggregation and toxicity, and is reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in AD. Further, resveratrol binds TTR, stabilizing the native TTR tetrameric structure. To further explore the mechanism of neuroprotection conferred by TTR in AD, resveratrol was administered in the diet to 5- to 8-month-old AD transgenic female mice carrying just 1 copy of the mouse TTR gene for 2 months. Effects in brain Aβ burden were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and total brain Aβ levels by ELISA, showing a striking decrease in both parameters in treated animals. In addition, total brain lipoprotein-related receptor protein 1 (LRP1) levels were increased in treated animals, although its gene expression was unaltered. To further understand the mechanism(s) underlying such improvement in AD features, we measured TTR plasma levels, showing that TTR increased in resveratrol-treated mice, whereas liver TTR gene transcription was not altered. These results strengthen the stability hypothesis, which postulates that TTR is unstable in AD, leading to accelerated clearance and lower levels. Therefore, resveratrol, which stabilizes the TTR tetramer results in TTR-normalized clearance, increases the protein plasma levels. In turn, stabilized TTR binds more strongly to Aβ peptide, avoiding its aggregation. Our results represent a step forward in the understanding of the mechanism underlying TTR protection in AD and highlight the possibility of using TTR stabilization as a therapeutic target in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]