Misfolding of transthyretin in vivo is controlled by the redox environment and macromolecular crowdingShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 301, no 1, article id 108031Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis is a progressive disorder characterized by peripheral neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, and cardiomyopathy. The precise mechanism by which TTR misfolds and forms fibrils in vivo remains incompletely understood, posing challenges to the development of effective therapeutics. In this study, we reveal that the recently identified nonnative pathological species of TTR (NNTTR), which is enriched in the plasma of ttr-val30met gene carriers, exhibits strong amyloidogenic properties, making it a promising therapeutic target. Notably, we demonstrate that NNTTR formation is dependent on an intermolecular disulfide bond and can be promoted by oxidative conditions while being effectively suppressed by reducing agents. The formation of this disulfide bond is incompatible with the native TTR fold, thereby necessitating structural flexibility. We further show that this required flexibility can be constrained using tetramer-stabilizing drugs, thereby suppressing NNTTR formation. Interestingly, the flexibility is also hindered by macromolecular crowding, and NNTTR formation is strongly suppressed by the high protein concentration in plasma. This suppression is released upon dilution, which thus promotes NNTTR formation in areas with lower protein content, highlighting a potential link to the interstitial space, brain, and vitreous body of the eye, where TTR-amyloid is frequently observed. In summary, we demonstrate that NNTTR displays strong amyloidogenic features, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target. We identify the redox environment and macromolecular crowding as key modulatory factors. Our findings propose a mechanistic explanation for TTR misfolding and suggest a novel therapeutic approach.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2025. Vol. 301, no 1, article id 108031
Keywords [en]
amyloid, cysteine, disulfide, macromolecular crowding, redox, transthyretin
National Category
Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-233748DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.108031ISI: 001394930700001PubMedID: 39615680Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85212921836OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-233748DiVA, id: diva2:1924986
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2023-02621The Kempe Foundations, JCSMK22-0105AlzheimerfondenNorrländska HjärtfondenTorsten Söderbergs stiftelse, M55/22Swedish Heart Lung FoundationRegion Västerbotten, RV-925521Region Västerbotten, RV-987878Swedish Research Council, 2019-013382025-01-072025-01-072025-04-24Bibliographically approved