Fibril formation and therapeutic targeting of amyloid-like structures in a yeast model of adenine accumulation

Nat Commun. 2019 Jan 8;10(1):62. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07966-5.

Abstract

The extension of the amyloid hypothesis to include non-protein metabolite assemblies invokes a paradigm for the pathology of inborn error of metabolism disorders. However, a direct demonstration of the assembly of metabolite amyloid-like structures has so far been provided only in vitro. Here, we established an in vivo model of adenine self-assembly in yeast, in which toxicity is associated with intracellular accumulation of the metabolite. Using a strain blocked in the enzymatic pathway downstream to adenine, we observed a non-linear dose-dependent growth inhibition. Both the staining with an indicative amyloid dye and anti-adenine assemblies antibodies demonstrated the accumulation of adenine amyloid-like structures, which were eliminated by lowering the supplied adenine levels. Treatment with a polyphenol inhibitor reduced the occurrence of amyloid-like structures while not affecting the dramatic increase in intracellular adenine concentration, resulting in inhibition of cytotoxicity, further supporting the notion that toxicity is triggered by adenine assemblies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / metabolism*
  • Adenine / toxicity
  • Amyloid / metabolism*
  • Amyloid / toxicity
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / etiology*
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Adenine