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A major prion protein (PrP) mutant that forms amyloid fibrils in the diseased brain of patients with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a fragment of 7 kDa spanning from residues 81-82 to 144-153 of PrP. Analysis of ionic membrane currents, recorded with a libid bilayer technique, revealed that the wild-type fragment PrP(82-146) WT and the partially scrambled PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC are capable of forming heterogenous ion channels that are similar to those channels formed with PrP(106-126). In contrast, PrP(82-146) peptides in which the region from residue 106 to 126 had been scrambled (SC) showed a reduction in interaction with lipid membranes and did not form channels. The PrP(82-146) WT- and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC-formed cation channels with fast kinetics are Cu2+ sensitive and rifampicin (RIF) insensitive, whereas the time-dependent inactivating channels formed by these same peptides are both Cu2+ and RIF insensitive. The presence of RIF in the solution before the addition of PrP(82-146) WT or PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC affected their incorporation into the lipid bilayers. PrP(82-146) WT and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC fast cation channels formed in the presence of RIF appeared in an electrically semisilent state or an inactivated state. Increasing [Cd2+] cis enhanced the incorporation of PrP(82-146) WT and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC channels formed in the presence of RIF. We conclude that the major PrP mutant fragment in the diseased brain of GSS patients is prone to form channels in neuronal membranes, causing their dysfunction. We propose that Cd2+ may accentuate the neurotoxicity of this channel-forming PrP fragment by enhancing its incorporation into the membrane.

The amyloidoses consist of human and animal chronic, progressive, and sometimes fatal diseases that are characterized by the deposition of insoluble proteinaceous amyloid fibrils in various tissues. Despite the biochemical diversity of amyloids, they share certain properties. The amphipathic and the charged nature of many amyloid-forming peptides point to their intrinsic ability to form diverse beta-sheet-based aggregates and channel types in negatively charged membranes. We hypothesize that the formation of heterogeneous channels represents a common cytotoxic mechanism that accentuates the changes in the signal transduction that underlie amyloid-induced cell malfunction. One group of amyloid-forming peptides that could mediate their action via the formation of heterogeneous channels includes the extensively examined prions and amyloid beta protein that are associated with conformational neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study is to examine heterogeneous channels formed in bilayers with amyloid-forming peptides as a common mechanism of malfunction of signal transduction. The observed amyloid-formed channel types include the following. (1) Natriuretic peptides: (i) 68-pS H2O2- and Ba2+-sensitive channel with fast kinetics. The fast channel had three modes (spike mode, burst mode, and open mode), which differ in their kinetics but not in their conductance properties; (ii) a 273-pS inactivating large conductance channel; and (iii) a 160-pS transiently activated channel. (2) Prions: (i) a 140-pS GSSG- and TEA-sensitive channel with fast kinetics; (ii) a 41-pS dithiothreitol (DTT)-sensitive channel with slow kinetics; (iii) a 900 to 1444-pS large channel. (3) Amyloid beta protein: (i) a 17 to 63-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed "bursting" fast cation channel, (ii) the AbetaP[1-40]-formed "spiky" fast cation channel with a similar kinetics to the "bursting" fast channel except for the absence of the long intraburst closures, (iii) 275-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed medium conductance channel, and (iv) 589- to 704-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed inactivating large conductance channel. This heterogeneity is one of the most common features of these charged cytotoxic amyloid-formed channels, reflecting these channels' ability to modify multiple cellular functions. Although the diversity of these aggregated-peptide-formed channels may indicate that a stochastic mechanism governs their formation, the fact that certain channel types are often observed point to preferential channel protein conformations. In addition, the fact that other amyloids have similar structural properties (e.g. hydrophobicity, charged residues, and beta-structural linkages, suggests that, despite the intrinsic ability to form diverse conformations, certain conformations and, hence, certain channel types could be a common pathologic conformation among these amyloid-forming peptides. It is concluded that conformation-based channel diversity is an important mechanism for enhancing the toxicity of amyloid-forming peptides. The cytotoxic nature of these self-associated beta-based protein channels suggests that under normal physiological conditions cells employ well-evolved protective mechanisms against seeding and/or propagation of channel-forming peptides; for example, (a) compartmentalization of these peptides as membrane bound in internal vesicles and/or (b) degradation of these peptides by enzymes. The pharmacological diversity of the amyloid-forming channels implies that multiple therapeutic interventions may be necessary for blocking and reversing heterogeneous channel formations and preventing their associated diseases.

Using the lipid bilayer technique, we have found that age-related derivatives, PrP[106–126] (L-Asp108) and PrP[106–126] (L-iso-Asp108), of the prion protein fragment 106–126 (PrP[106–126] (Asn108)) form heterogeneous ion channels. The deamidated isoforms, PrP[106–126] (L-Asp108) and PrP[106–126] (L-iso-Asp108), showed no enhanced propensity to form heterogeneous channels compared with PrP[106–126] (Asn108). One of the PrP[106–126] (L-Asp108)- and PrP[106–126] (L-iso-Asp108)-formed channels had three kinetic modes. The current–voltage (I–V) relationship of this channel, which had a reversal potential, Erev, between –40 and –10 mV close to the equilibrium potential for K+ (EK –35 mV), exhibited a sigmoidal shape. The value of the maximal slope conductance (gmax) was 62.5 pS at positive potentials between 0 and 140 mV. The probability (Po) and the frequency (Fo) of the channel being open had inverted and bell-shaped curves, respectively, with a peak at membrane potential (Vm) between –80 and +80 mV. The mean open and closed times (To and Tc) had inverted bell-shaped curves. The biophysical properties of PrP[106–126] (L-Asp108)- and PrP[106–126] (L-iso-Asp108)-formed channels and their response to Cu2+ were similar to those of channels formed with PrP[106–126] (Asn108). Cu2+ shifted the kinetics of the channel from being in the open state to a “burst state” in which rapid channel activities were separated by long durations of inactivity. The action of Cu2+ on the open channel activity was both time-dependent and voltage-dependent. The fact that Cu2+ induced changes in the kinetics of this channel with no changes in the conductance of the channel indicated that Cu2+ binds at the mouth of the channel. Consistently with the hydrophilic and structural properties of PrP[106–126], the Cu2+-induced changes in the kinetic parameters of this channel suggest that the Cu2+ binding site could be located at M109 and H111 of this prion fragment. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:214–220, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1. The lipid bilayer technique was used to characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of several ion channels formed by incorporating amyloid beta protein fragment (AβP) 1–40 into lipid membranes. Based on the conductance, kinetics, selectivity, and pharmacological properties, the following AβP[1–40]-formed ion channels have been identified

We investigated the action of the acridine derivative, quinacrine (QC), which has been shown to act as a noncompetitive channel inhibitor. The main effects of QC are voltage- and concentration-dependent changes in the kinetics of the prion protein fragment (PrP[106-126])-formed cation channels. The current-voltage relationships show that the maximal current (I) was not affected whereas the physiologically important mean current (I') was reduced as a result of changes in channel kinetics. These findings suggest that QC acts on the open state of the channels. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC 5 0 ) for the dose-dependent effects of [QC] c i s on the kinetic parameters of the PrP(106-126)-formed cation channel shows a reduction in the ratios P o ( Q C ) /P o , F o ( Q C ) /F o , and T o ( Q C ) /T o , whereas T o ( Q C ) /T c increases. Of these ratios, P o ( Q C ) /P o was more sensitive than the others. The corresponding IC 5 0 for these ratios were 51, 94, 86, and 250 μM QC, respectively. The QC-induced changes in the kinetic parameters were more apparent at positive voltages. IC 5 0 values for P o were 95, 75, and 51 μM at +20, +80, and +140 mV, respectively. The fact that QC induced changes in the kinetics of this channel, although the conductance of the channel remained unchanged, indicates that QC may bind at the mouth of the channel via a mechanism known as fast channel block. The QC-induced changes in the kinetic parameters of this channel suggest that they are pathophysiologically significant because these channels could be the mechanisms by which amyloids induce membrane damage in vivo.

We found that the amyloid β peptide Aβ(1-42) is capable of interacting with membrane and forming heterogeneous ion channels in the absence of any added Cu2+ or biological redox agents that have been reported to mediate Aβ(1-42) toxicity. The Aβ(1-42)-formed cation channel was inhibited by Cu2+ in cis solution ([Cu2+] cis) in a voltage- and concentration-dependent manner between 0 and 250 μM. The [Cu2+] cis-induced channel inhibition is fully reversible at low concentrations between 50 and 100 μM [Cu2+] cis and partially reversible at 250 μM [Cu2+] cis. The inhibitory effects of [Cu2+] cis between 50 and 250 μM on the channel could not be reversed with addition of Cu2+-chelating agent clioquinol (CQ) at concentrations between 64 and 384 μM applied to the cis chamber. The effects of 200-250 μM [Cu2+] cis on the burst and intraburst kinetic parameters were not fully reversible with either wash or 128 μM [CQ] cis. The kinetic analysis of the data indicate that Cu2+-induced inhibition was mediated via both desensitization and an open channel block mechanism and that Cu2+ binds to the histidine residues located at the mouth of the channel. It is proposed that the Cu2+-binding site of the Aβ(1-42)-formed channels is modulated with Cu2+ in a similar way to those of channels formed with the prion protein fragment PrP(106-126), suggesting a possible common mechanism for Cu2+ modulation of Aβ and PrP channel proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

The amyloidoses consist of human and animal chronic, progressive, and sometimes fatal diseases that are characterized by the deposition of insoluble proteinaceous amyloid fibrils in various tissues. Despite the biochemical diversity of amyloids, they share certain properties. The amphipathic and the charged nature of many amyloid-forming peptides point to their intrinsic ability to form diverse beta-sheet-based aggregates and channel types in negatively charged membranes. We hypothesize that the formation of heterogeneous channels represents a common cytotoxic mechanism that accentuates the changes in the signal transduction that underlie amyloid-induced cell malfunction. One group of amyloid-forming peptides that could mediate their action via the formation of heterogeneous channels includes the extensively examined prions and amyloid beta protein that are associated with conformational neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study is to examine heterogeneous channels formed in bilayers with amyloid-forming peptides as a common mechanism of malfunction of signal transduction. The observed amyloid-formed channel types include the following. (1) Natriuretic peptides: (i) 68-pS H2O2- and Ba2+-sensitive channel with fast kinetics. The fast channel had three modes (spike mode, burst mode, and open mode), which differ in their kinetics but not in their conductance properties; (ii) a 273-pS inactivating large conductance channel; and (iii) a 160-pS transiently activated channel. (2) Prions: (i) a 140-pS GSSG- and TEA-sensitive channel with fast kinetics; (ii) a 41-pS dithiothreitol (DTT)-sensitive channel with slow kinetics; (iii) a 900 to 1444-pS large channel. (3) Amyloid beta protein: (i) a 17 to 63-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed "bursting" fast cation channel, (ii) the AbetaP[1-40]-formed "spiky" fast cation channel with a similar kinetics to the "bursting" fast channel except for the absence of the long intraburst closures, (iii) 275-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed medium conductance channel, and (iv) 589- to 704-pS AbetaP[1-40]-formed inactivating large conductance channel. This heterogeneity is one of the most common features of these charged cytotoxic amyloid-formed channels, reflecting these channels' ability to modify multiple cellular functions. Although the diversity of these aggregated-peptide-formed channels may indicate that a stochastic mechanism governs their formation, the fact that certain channel types are often observed point to preferential channel protein conformations. In addition, the fact that other amyloids have similar structural properties (e.g. hydrophobicity, charged residues, and beta-structural linkages, suggests that, despite the intrinsic ability to form diverse conformations, certain conformations and, hence, certain channel types could be a common pathologic conformation among these amyloid-forming peptides. It is concluded that conformation-based channel diversity is an important mechanism for enhancing the toxicity of amyloid-forming peptides. The cytotoxic nature of these self-associated beta-based protein channels suggests that under normal physiological conditions cells employ well-evolved protective mechanisms against seeding and/or propagation of channel-forming peptides; for example, (a) compartmentalization of these peptides as membrane bound in internal vesicles and/or (b) degradation of these peptides by enzymes. The pharmacological diversity of the amyloid-forming channels implies that multiple therapeutic interventions may be necessary for blocking and reversing heterogeneous channel formations and preventing their associated diseases.