Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Du, Heng Project summary: Increasing evidence has suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) . Compromised synaptic mitochondrial capabilities in ATP production and calcium retention have been proposed to be underlying the early synaptic injury in A?-rich milieus. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of such A?-potentiated synaptic mitochondrial deficits still remain elusive. The specific hypothesis behind this proposed study is that mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase dysfunction via oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP) aberrations is a potential cause of synaptic mitochondrial defects, leading to synaptic failure in AD-relevant conditions. This hypothesis is firmly built on the following observations: First, Mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase plays a vital role in ATP generation ; and uncoupled F1Fo ATP synthase constitutes the molecular basis of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) , the opening of which lowers mitochondrial ability to buffer calcium .Its dysfunction has been implicated in aging brain and AD; but the mechanisms are not well understood; Second, in preliminary studies we have found that mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase dysfunction is a prominent synaptic mitochondrial defect in an AD animal model overexpressing APP/A? (5xFAD mice); Third, our further studies on this enzyme in AD brains and synaptic mitochondria from 5xFAD mice have shown the selective loss of its OSCP subunit and the interaction of OSCP with A?. Furthermore, such OSCP alterations disrupt the integrity and function of mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase. Lastly, the restoration of OSCP expression mitigates A?-induced neuronal mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction. In the proposed studies, we will adopt multiple tools including our newly generated neuron-specific OSCP overexpressing 5xFAD mice, a decoy peptide to inhibit OSCP/A? interaction as well as genetic OSCP down-regulation and apply multidisciplinary approaches of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, electrophysiology and live cell imaging.
We aim to firmly establish the link between OSCP aberrations and synaptic mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase deregulation in AD-relevant condition and determine its impact on the development of synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction (Specific aim1) and synaptic injury/cognitive impairments (specific aim2) in 5xFAD mice. Furthermore, we will address the mechanisms of A?-mediated mitochondrial OSCP deficiency (specific aim3). The positive findings will provide a novel mechanism of mitochondrial and synaptic defects in AD and shed light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD by the protection of OSCP. In addition, the results can be extended to further our understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic failure in other neurodegenerative diseases which have Amyloid beta (A?) deposition, ATP deficiency, and/or mPT activation. OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Continuation Format Page

Public Health Relevance

Du, Heng Narratives This project addresses a novel mechanism of synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic injury in AD-relevant conditions by aiming to determine the impacts of mitocondrial F1Fo ATP synthase deregulation via oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP) aberrations on synaptic mitochondrial functions in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal model. The study will show the undetermined role of mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase dysfunction in the pathogenesis of AD by mediating ATP deficiency and the activation of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT). In addition, the results will not only shed light to the development of a novel strategy for the treatment of AD, but also have positive impacts to further our understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic failure in other neurodegenerative diseases which have Amyloid beta (A?) deposition, ATP deficiency, and/or mPT activation. OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Continuation Format Page

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG053588-04
Application #
9719695
Study Section
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section (NOMD)
Program Officer
Wise, Bradley C
Project Start
2016-08-01
Project End
2021-05-31
Budget Start
2019-06-15
Budget End
2020-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas-Dallas
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
800188161
City
Richardson
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75080
Sui, Shaomei; Tian, Jing; Gauba, Esha et al. (2018) Cyclophilin D regulates neuronal activity-induced filopodiagenesis by fine-tuning dendritic mitochondrial calcium dynamics. J Neurochem 146:403-415
Cao, Xi; Zhu, Min; He, Yan et al. (2018) Increased Serum Acylated Ghrelin Levels in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 61:545-552
Gauba, Esha; Guo, Lan; Du, Heng (2017) Cyclophilin D Promotes Brain Mitochondrial F1FO ATP Synthase Dysfunction in Aging Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 55:1351-1362
Phensy, Aarron; Driskill, Christopher; Lindquist, Karen et al. (2017) Antioxidant Treatment in Male Mice Prevents Mitochondrial and Synaptic Changes in an NMDA Receptor Dysfunction Model of Schizophrenia. eNeuro 4:
Guo, Lan; Tian, Jing; Du, Heng (2017) Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Synaptic Transmission Failure in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 57:1071-1086
Zhao, Yujun; Tian, Jing; Sui, Shaomei et al. (2017) Loss of succinyl-CoA synthase ADP-forming ? subunit disrupts mtDNA stability and mitochondrial dynamics in neurons. Sci Rep 7:7169