Identification of three mutations in the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) gene with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Transduction of human Cu,Zn-SOD into PC12 cells by HIV-1 TAT protein basic domain

Chih Ming Chou, Chang Jen Huang, Chwen Ming Shih, Yi Ping Chen, Tsang Pai Liu, Chien Tsu Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The most frequent genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) determined so far are mutations occurring in the gene coding for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). The mechanism may involve the formation of hydroxyl radicals or malfunctioning of the SOD protein. Wild-type SOD1 was constructed into a transcription-translation expression vector to examine the SOD1 production in vitro. Wild-type SOD1 was highly expressed in Escherichia coli. Active SOD1 was expressed in a metal-dependent manner. To investigate the possible roles of genetic causes of ALS, a human Cu,Zn-SOD gene was fused with a gene fragment encoding the nine amino acid transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein transduction domain (RKKRRQRRR) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame Tat-SOD1 fusion protein. The expressed and purified Tat-SOD1 fusion proteins in E. coli can enter PC12 neural cells to observe the cellular consequences. Denatured Tat-SOD1 was successfully transduced into PC12 cells and retained its activity via protein refolding. Three point mutations, E21K, D90V, and D101G, were cloned by site-directed mutagenesis and showed lower SOD1 activity. In undifferentiated PC12 cells, wild-type Tat-SOD1 could prevent DNA fragmentation due to superoxide anion attacks generated by 35 mM paraquat, whereas mutant Tat-D101G enhanced cell death. Our results demonstrate that exogenous human Cu,Zn-SOD fused with Tat protein can be directly transduced into cells, and the delivered enzymatically active Tat-SOD exhibits a cellular protective function against oxidative stress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)303-313
Number of pages11
JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1042
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD)
  • Transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Neuroscience
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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