The hibernation-derived compound SUL-138 shifts the mitochondrial proteome towards fatty acid metabolism and prevents cognitive decline and amyloid plaque formation in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

Christina F. de Veij Mestdagh*, Frank Koopmans, Jonathan C. Breiter, Jaap A. Timmerman, Pieter C. Vogelaar, Guido Krenning, Huibert D. Mansvelder, August B. Smit, Robert H. Henning, Ronald E. van Kesteren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and remains without effective cure. Increasing evidence is supporting the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, proposing that loss of mitochondrial fitness and subsequent ROS and ATP imbalance are important contributors to AD pathophysiology. Methods: Here, we tested the effects of SUL-138, a small hibernation-derived molecule that supports mitochondrial bioenergetics via complex I/IV activation, on molecular, physiological, behavioral, and pathological outcomes in APP/PS1 and wildtype mice. Results: SUL-138 treatment rescued long-term potentiation and hippocampal memory impairments and decreased beta-amyloid plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. This was paralleled by a partial rescue of dysregulated protein expression in APP/PS1 mice as assessed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. In-depth analysis of protein expression revealed a prominent effect of SUL-138 in APP/PS1 mice on mitochondrial protein expression. SUL-138 increased the levels of proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism in both wildtype and APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, in APP/PS1 mice only, SUL-138 increased the levels of proteins involved in glycolysis and amino acid metabolism pathways, indicating that SUL-138 rescues mitochondrial impairments that are typically observed in AD. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a SUL-138-induced shift in metabolic input towards the electron transport chain in synaptic mitochondria, coinciding with increased synaptic plasticity and memory. In conclusion, targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics might provide a promising new way to treat cognitive impairments in AD and reduce disease progression.

Original languageEnglish
Article number183
Pages (from-to)1-17
Number of pages17
JournalAlzheimer's Research and Therapy
Volume14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was funded by Health Holland (grant 2020N0768) and a Talent PhD scholarship to CFdVM by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Funding

This work was funded by Health Holland (grant 2020N0768) and a Talent PhD scholarship to CFdVM by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen.

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amyloid-beta plaques
  • APP/PS1 mice
  • Chromanols
  • Fatty acid metabolism
  • Hibernation-derived compound
  • Hippocampus-dependent contextual fear memory
  • Long-term potentiation
  • Mass-spectrometry
  • Mitochondria
  • SUL-138

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