Hemoglobin (Hb) is well known for transporting oxygen in the blood, but its role in the brain remains poorly understood. Here, we identified Hb in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nuclei of hippocampal and substantia nigra astrocytes and dopaminergic neurons. As a pseudoperoxidase, Hb decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and mitigates H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage. However, in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and aging, excessive H(2)O(2) diminishes astrocytic Hb, perpetuating a vicious cycle of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. To counter the harmful effects of aberrant H(2)O(2) production in diseases, we developed KDS12025, a BBB-permeable small molecule that enhances Hb pseudoperoxidase activity 100-fold, even at a low level of Hb. KDS12025 and its analogs achieve this enhancement through its electron-donating amine group, possibly stabilizing the complex between Hb, H(2)O(2), and KDS12025. KDS12025 reduces astrocytic H(2)O(2), alleviates astrogliosis, normalizes Hb, and reverts to a virtuous cycle of redox balance, preventing neurodegeneration without altering the oxygen-transport function of Hb. Gene silencing of Hb abrogates the impact of KDS12025 in both culture and animal models, confirming the necessity of Hb for the effects of KDS12025. KDS12025 extends survival and improves motor function even in severe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and aging. Furthermore, the enrichment of astrocytic Hb in the nucleolus highlights a novel antioxidative mechanism potentially protecting against nuclear oxidative damage. Our findings suggest that Hb is a new therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, with KDS12025 emerging as a first-in-class approach that enhances Hb pseudoperoxidase activity to reduce H(2)O(2). Increasing Hb pseudoperoxidase activity with KDS12025 mitigates oxidative stress and alleviates neurodegeneration in AD, PD, and ALS patients and increases the degree of aging, with broad applicability for numerous oxidative-stress-driven diseases.
Hemoglobin as a pseudoperoxidase and drug target for oxidative stress-related diseases.
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作者:Won Woojin, Lee Elijah Hwejin, Gotina Lizaveta, Chun Heejung, Lee Jae-Hun, Bhalla Mridula, Park Uiyeol, Kim Daeun, Kim Tai Young, Choi Ji Won, Kim Yoowon, Park Sun Jun, Lim Jiwoon, Park Jong-Hyun, Kim Hyeon Jeong, Heo Jun Young, Chung Woosuk, Oh Myung Jin, An Hyun Joo, Lee Junghee, Oh Soo-Jin, Ryu Hoon, Pae Ae Nim, Park Ki Duk, Lee C Justin
期刊: | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy | 影响因子: | 52.700 |
时间: | 2025 | 起止号: | 2025 Aug 22; 10(1):270 |
doi: | 10.1038/s41392-025-02366-w |
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