Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies in a FENIB Yeast Model.


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Authors
Vapore, Valentina 
Mazzaglia, Corrado 
Sibilia, Diego 
Del Vecchio, Mara 
Fruhmann, Gernot 
Abstract

FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies) is a human monogenic disease caused by point mutations in the SERPINI1 gene, characterized by the intracellular deposition of polymers of neuroserpin (NS), which leads to proteotoxicity and cell death. Despite the different cell and animal models developed thus far, the exact mechanism of cell toxicity elicited by NS polymers remains unclear. Here, we report that human wild-type NS and the polymerogenic variant G392E NS form protein aggregates mainly localized within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when expressed in the yeast S. cerevisiae. The expression of NS in yeast delayed the exit from the lag phase, suggesting that NS inclusions cause cellular stress. The cells also showed a higher resistance following mild oxidative stress treatments when compared to control cells. Furthermore, the expression of NS in a pro-apoptotic mutant strain-induced cell death during aging. Overall, these data recapitulate phenotypes observed in mammalian cells, thereby validating S. cerevisiae as a model for FENIB.

Description
Keywords
FENIB, neurodegeneration, protein aggregation, yeast
Journal Title
Microorganisms
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2076-2607
2076-2607
Volume Title
9
Publisher
MDPI AG
Sponsorship
Ateneo 2017 Sapienza (RP11715C631155C7, S006617N)