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Zhang Q, Yang Q, Luo J, Zhou X, Yi S, Tan S, Qin Z. Clinical features and molecular genetic investigation of infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP) in two Chinese siblings caused by a novel splice site ALS2 variation. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:44. [PMID: 38297306 PMCID: PMC10829245 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01805-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE ALS2-related disorder involves retrograde degeneration of the upper motor neurons of the pyramidal tracts, among which autosomal recessive Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP) is a rare phenotype. In this study, we gathered clinical data from two Chinese siblings who were affected by IAHSP. Our aim was to assess the potential pathogenicity of the identified variants and analyze their clinical and genetic characteristics. METHOD Here, Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on proband to identify the candidate variants. Subsequently, Sanger sequencing was used to verify identified candidate variants and to assess co-segregation among available family members. Utilizing both silico prediction and 3D protein modeling, an analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential functional implications of the variants on the encoded protein, and minigene assays were performed to unravel the effect of the variants on the cleavage of pre-mRNA. RESULTS Both patients were characterized by slurred speech, astasia, inability to walk, scoliosis, lower limb hypertonia, ankle clonus, contracture of joint, foot pronation and no psychomotor retardation was found. Genetic analysis revealed a novel homozygous variant of ALS2, c.1815G > T(p.Lys605Asn) in two Chinese siblings. To our knowledge, it is the first confirmed case of a likely pathogenic variant leading to IAHSP in a Chinese patient. CONCLUSION This study broadens the range of ALS2 variants and has practical implications for prenatal and postnatal screening of IAHSR. Symptom-based diagnosis of IAHSP is frequently difficult for medical practitioners. WES can be a beneficial resource to identify a particular disorder when the diagnosis cannot be determined from the symptoms alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jingsi Luo
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Xunzhao Zhou
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Shang Yi
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Shuyin Tan
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Zailong Qin
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Genetic Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of reproductive health and birth defect prevention, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
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2
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Fink JK. The hereditary spastic paraplegias. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 196:59-88. [PMID: 37620092 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98817-9.00022-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a group of more than 90 genetic disorders in which lower extremity spasticity and weakness are either the primary neurologic impairments ("uncomplicated HSP") or when accompanied by other neurologic deficits ("complicated HSP"), important features of the clinical syndrome. Various genetic types of HSP are inherited such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, and maternal (mitochondrial) traits. Symptoms that begin in early childhood may be nonprogressive and resemble spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Symptoms that begin later, typically progress insidiously over a number of years. Genetic testing is able to confirm the diagnosis for many subjects. Insights from gene discovery indicate that abnormalities in diverse molecular processes underlie various forms of HSP, including disturbance in axon transport, endoplasmic reticulum morphogenesis, vesicle transport, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function. Pathologic studies in "uncomplicated" HSP have shown axon degeneration particularly involving the distal ends of corticospinal tracts and dorsal column fibers. Treatment is limited to symptom reduction including amelioration of spasticity, reducing urinary urgency, proactive physical therapy including strengthening, stretching, balance, and agility exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- John K Fink
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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3
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Nogueira E, Garma C, Lobo C, del Olmo B, Vizuete G. ALS2-related disorders in Spanish children: a severely affected case of infantile ascending spastic paraplegia due to homozygous R704X mutation. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:2127-2131. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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4
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Miceli M, Exertier C, Cavaglià M, Gugole E, Boccardo M, Casaluci RR, Ceccarelli N, De Maio A, Vallone B, Deriu MA. ALS2-Related Motor Neuron Diseases: From Symptoms to Molecules. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:77. [PMID: 35053075 PMCID: PMC8773251 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Infantile-onset Ascending Hereditary Spastic Paralysis, Juvenile Primary Lateral Sclerosis and Juvenile Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are all motor neuron diseases related to mutations on the ALS2 gene, encoding for a 1657 amino acids protein named Alsin. This ~185 kDa multi-domain protein is ubiquitously expressed in various human tissues, mostly in the brain and the spinal cord. Several investigations have indicated how mutations within Alsin's structured domains may be responsible for the alteration of Alsin's native oligomerization state or Alsin's propensity to interact with protein partners. In this review paper, we propose a description of differences and similarities characterizing the above-mentioned ALS2-related rare neurodegenerative disorders, pointing attention to the effects of ALS2 mutation from molecule to organ and at the system level. Known cases were collected through a literature review and rationalized to deeply elucidate the neurodegenerative clinical outcomes as consequences of ALS2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Miceli
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Cécile Exertier
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (E.G.); (B.V.)
| | - Marco Cavaglià
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Elena Gugole
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (E.G.); (B.V.)
| | - Marta Boccardo
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Rossana Rita Casaluci
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Noemi Ceccarelli
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Alessandra De Maio
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Beatrice Vallone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (E.G.); (B.V.)
| | - Marco A. Deriu
- PolitoBIOMedLab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (M.C.); (M.B.); (R.R.C.); (N.C.); (A.D.M.)
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5
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Alves De Siqueira Carvalho A, Antônio Troccoli Chieia M, Braga Farias I, Bulle Oliveira AS, Pinto WBVDR, Souza PVSD. The expanding clinical and genetic spectrum of alsin-related disorders: the first cohort of Brazilian patients. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:16-24. [PMID: 34738851 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1910306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
There are three types of autosomal recessive disorders involving pathogenic variants in the ALS2 gene (OMIM*606352), infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia (IAHSP), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS) and juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS), which are rare and related to retrograde degeneration of motor neurons. ALS2 pathogenic variants are distributed widely across the entire coding sequence and mostly result in a loss of protein function. Rarely, patients with JALS have been reported with lower motor neuron involvement. Here, we report the first Brazilian cohort (six patients) of JPLS with novel ALS2 pathogenic variants, and we propose an expanding clinical and genetic spectrum of alsin-related disorders. A review of the literature in PubMed from 2001 to September 2020 allowed us to identify 26 publications about the three different phenotypes caused by ALS2 variants (only case reports or families), encompassing 35 nonrelated families. We compiled data (sex, age, age at onset, first symptoms, atypical clinical features, molecular data, and clinical evolution (improvement or death)) from these studies and analyzed them in a general context on the basis of demographic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzira Alves De Siqueira Carvalho
- Departamento de Neurociências-Laboratório de doenças neuromusculares, Centro Universitário Saúde ABC, Santo Andre, São Paulo, Brazil and
| | | | - Igor Braga Farias
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Silani V, Corcia P, Harms MB, Rouleau G, Siddique T, Ticozzi N. Genetics of primary lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 21:28-34. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1837177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Centre de Reference SLA, CHU Tours, and UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | | | - Guy Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Teepu Siddique
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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7
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Nogueira E, Alarcón J, Garma C, Paredes C. ALS2-related disorders in Spanish children. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:2091-2094. [PMID: 33409823 PMCID: PMC8043897 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
ALS2 gene encoding for alsin protein is responsible for neurological disorders due to retrograde degeneration of the upper motor neurons of the pyramidal tracts, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and displaying a clinical continuum including the infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegiaidentified in three Spanish children presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Nogueira
- Molecular Diagnostics Eurofins-Megalab, Hospital San Rafael, Madrid, Spain. .,Genetics Service, Hospital La Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juana Alarcón
- Pediatric Neurology, Hospital San Rafael, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Garma
- Molecular Diagnostics Eurofins-Megalab, Hospital San Rafael, Madrid, Spain.,Genetics Service, Hospital La Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Sprute R, Jergas H, Ölmez A, Alawbathani S, Karasoy H, Dafsari HS, Becker K, Daimagüler HS, Nürnberg P, Muntoni F, Topaloglu H, Uyanik G, Cirak S. Genotype-phenotype correlation in seven motor neuron disease families with novel ALS2 mutations. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:344-354. [PMID: 33155358 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal-recessive mutations in the Alsin Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (ALS2) gene may cause specific subtypes of childhood-onset progressive neurodegenerative motor neuron diseases (MND). These diseases can manifest with a clinical continuum from infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia (IAHSP) to juvenile-onset forms with or without lower motor neuron involvement, the juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS) and the juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS). We report 11 patients from seven unrelated Turkish and Yemeni families with clinical signs of IAHSP or JPLS. We performed haplotype analysis or next-generation panel sequencing followed by Sanger Sequencing to unravel the genetic disease cause. We described their clinical phenotype and analyzed the pathogenicity of the detected variants with bioinformatics tools. We further reviewed all previously reported cases with ALS2-related MND. We identified five novel homozygous pathogenic variants in ALS2 at various positions: c.275_276delAT (p.Tyr92CysfsTer11), c.1044C>G (p.Tyr348Ter), c.1718C>A (p.Ala573Glu), c.3161T>C (p.Leu1054Pro), and c.1471+1G>A (NM_020919.3, NP_065970.2). In our cohort, disease onset was in infancy or early childhood with rapid onset of motor neuron signs. Muscle weakness, spasticity, severe dysarthria, dysphagia, and facial weakness were common features in the first decade of life. Frameshift and nonsense mutations clustered in the N-terminal Alsin domains are most prevalent. We enriched the mutational spectrum of ALS2-related disorders with five novel pathogenic variants. Our study indicates a high detection rate of ALS2 mutations in patients with a clinically well-characterized early onset MND. Intrafamilial and even interfamilial diversity in patients with identical pathogenic variants suggest yet unknown modifiers for phenotypic expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Sprute
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hannah Jergas
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Akgün Ölmez
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Salem Alawbathani
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hatice Karasoy
- Department of Neurology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hormos Salimi Dafsari
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Becker
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hülya-Sevcan Daimagüler
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Haluk Topaloglu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Uyanik
- Medical School, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Medical Genetics, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebahattin Cirak
- Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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9
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Complexity of Generating Mouse Models to Study the Upper Motor Neurons: Let Us Shift Focus from Mice to Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163848. [PMID: 31394733 PMCID: PMC6720674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron circuitry is one of the most elaborate circuitries in our body, which ensures voluntary and skilled movement that requires cognitive input. Therefore, both the cortex and the spinal cord are involved. The cortex has special importance for motor neuron diseases, in which initiation and modulation of voluntary movement is affected. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is defined by the progressive degeneration of both the upper and lower motor neurons, whereas hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) are characterized mainly by the loss of upper motor neurons. In an effort to reveal the cellular and molecular basis of neuronal degeneration, numerous model systems are generated, and mouse models are no exception. However, there are many different levels of complexities that need to be considered when developing mouse models. Here, we focus our attention to the upper motor neurons, which are one of the most challenging neuron populations to study. Since mice and human differ greatly at a species level, but the cells/neurons in mice and human share many common aspects of cell biology, we offer a solution by focusing our attention to the affected neurons to reveal the complexities of diseases at a cellular level and to improve translational efforts.
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Simone M, Trabacca A, Panzeri E, Losito L, Citterio A, Bassi MT. KIF5A and ALS2 Variants in a Family With Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2018; 9:1078. [PMID: 30581417 PMCID: PMC6293196 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the clinical evolution and the novel genetic findings in a KIF5A mutated family previously reported as affected by spastic paraparesis only. The additional evidence we report here, a homozygous ALS2 mutation detected in the proband, and the clinical evolution observed in the affected members of the family, are in line with the evidence of an overlap between Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis associated with variants in these genes. The proband, a 14-years-old boy, started manifesting a pure form of HSP at age 14 months. The disease rapidly progressed to a juvenile form of ALS. This boy carries a heterozygous missense variant in KIF5A p.(Glu755Lys), inherited from the father, and a homozygous missense variant in the alsin protein encoded by the ALS2 gene p.(Pro192Leu). The father shows a family history of ALS. In the last few years, he has been developing signs and symptoms of both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, with mild bulbar motor involvement and emotional lability. The patients described in this family, confirm the continuum and partial overlap of the two clinical entities, HSP and ALS, historically viewed as distinct entities. The genetic findings in this family further substantiate the genetic bases underlying the overlap, broadening the clinical spectrum associated with KIF5A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Simone
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Elena Panzeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Luciana Losito
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Andrea Citterio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
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Sato K, Otomo A, Ueda MT, Hiratsuka Y, Suzuki-Utsunomiya K, Sugiyama J, Murakoshi S, Mitsui S, Ono S, Nakagawa S, Shang HF, Hadano S. Altered oligomeric states in pathogenic ALS2 variants associated with juvenile motor neuron diseases cause loss of ALS2-mediated endosomal function. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17135-17153. [PMID: 30224357 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 2 (ALS2) is a juvenile autosomal recessive motor neuron disease caused by the mutations in the ALS2 gene. The ALS2 gene product, ALS2/alsin, forms a homophilic oligomer and acts as a guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPase Rab5. This oligomerization is crucial for both Rab5 activation and ALS2-mediated endosome fusion and maturation in cells. Recently, we have shown that pathogenic missense ALS2 mutants retaining the Rab5 GEF activity fail to properly localize to endosomes via Rac1-stimulated macropinocytosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying dysregulated distribution of ALS2 variants remain poorly understood. Therefore, we sought to clarify the relationship between intracellular localization and oligomeric states of pathogenic ALS2 variants. Upon Rac family small GTPase 1 (Rac1) activation, all mutants tested moved from the cytosol to membrane ruffles but not to macropinosomes and/or endosomes. Furthermore, most WT ALS2 complexes were tetramers. Importantly, the sizes of an ALS2 complex carrying missense mutations in the N terminus of the regulator of chromosome condensation 1-like domain (RLD) or in-frame deletion in the pleckstrin homology domain were shifted toward higher molecular weight, whereas the C-terminal vacuolar protein sorting 9 (VPS9) domain missense mutant existed as a smaller dimeric or trimeric smaller form. Furthermore, in silico mutagenesis analyses using the RLD protein structure in conjunction with a cycloheximide chase assay in vitro disclosed that these missense mutations led to a decrease in protein stability. Collectively, disorganized higher structures of ALS2 variants might explain their impaired endosomal localization and the stability, leading to loss of the ALS2 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sato
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Asako Otomo
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.,Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | | | - Yui Hiratsuka
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Kyoko Suzuki-Utsunomiya
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Junya Sugiyama
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shuji Murakoshi
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shun Mitsui
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Suzuka Ono
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - So Nakagawa
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.,Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Hui-Fang Shang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China, and
| | - Shinji Hadano
- From the Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan, .,The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.,Research Center for Brain and Nervous Diseases, Tokai University Graduate School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
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12
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Helal M, Mazaheri N, Shalbafan B, Malamiri RA, Dilaver N, Buchert R, Mohammadiasl J, Golchin N, Sedaghat A, Mehrjardi MYV, Haack TB, Riess O, Chung WK, Galehdari H, Shariati G, Maroofian R. Clinical presentation and natural history of infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis from three families with an ALS2 founder variant. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:1917-1925. [PMID: 30128655 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Biallelic mutations of the alsin Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (ALS2) gene cause a group of overlapping autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorders including infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS), and juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS/ALS2), caused by retrograde degeneration of the upper motor neurons of the pyramidal tracts. Here, we describe 11 individuals with IAHSP, aged 2-48 years, with IAHSP from three unrelated consanguineous Iranian families carrying the homozygous c.1640+1G>A founder mutation in ALS2. Three affected siblings from one family exhibit generalized dystonia which has not been previously described in families with IAHSP and has only been reported in three unrelated consanguineous families with JALS/ALS2. We report the oldest individuals with IAHSP to date and provide evidence that these patients survive well into their late 40s with preserved cognition and normal eye movements. Our study delineates the phenotypic spectrum of IAHSP and ALS2-related disorders and provides valuable insights into the natural disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayada Helal
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Molecular Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Neda Mazaheri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.,Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, East Mihan Ave., Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Bita Shalbafan
- Iranian Social Security Organization, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Azizi Malamiri
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Golestan Medical, Educational, and Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Nafi Dilaver
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Javad Mohammadiasl
- Department of Genetics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Ahvaz Noor Genetics Laboratory, Ahvaz, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Sedaghat
- Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, East Mihan Ave., Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran.,Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yahya Vahidi Mehrjardi
- Medical Genetics Research Centre, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Molecular Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 620, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hamid Galehdari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Shariati
- Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, East Mihan Ave., Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Genetics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK.
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13
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Tariq H, Mukhtar S, Naz S. A novel mutation in ALS2 associated with severe and progressive infantile onset of spastic paralysis. J Neurogenet 2017; 31:26-29. [PMID: 28502191 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1324441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infantile onset ascending spastic paralysis (IAHSP) is a type of recessively inherited spastic paraplegia. We investigated the clinical and genetic cause of a recessively inherited disorder in two siblings manifesting severe spasticity in the lower limbs which hindered their gait. A novel homozygous nonsense mutation c.1918 C > T (p.Arg640*) was identified after whole-exome sequencing within ALS2 in the DNA of both patients. The obligate carriers were heterozygous for the mutation and other unaffected members were homozygous for the wild type allele. The variant was absent from 100 control chromosomes and all public databases. This report extends the allelic heterogeneity of ALS2 mutations and emphasizes the importance of genetic testing for diagnosis of pediatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huma Tariq
- a School of Biological Sciences , University of the Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mukhtar
- b Punjab Institute of Neurosciences , Lahore General Hospital , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Naz
- a School of Biological Sciences , University of the Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
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14
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Daud S, Kakar N, Goebel I, Hashmi AS, Yaqub T, Nürnberg G, Nürnberg P, Morris-Rosendahl DJ, Wasim M, Volk AE, Kubisch C, Ahmad J, Borck G. Identification of two novel ALS2 mutations in infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2016; 17:260-5. [PMID: 26751646 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2015.1125501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Biallelic mutations of ALS2 cause a clinical spectrum of overlapping autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorders: infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS), and juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS2). We report on eleven individuals affected with IAHSP from two consanguineous Pakistani families. A combination of linkage analysis with homozygosity mapping and targeted sequencing identified two novel ALS2 mutations, a c.194T > C (p.Phe65Ser) missense substitution located in the first RCC-like domain of ALS2/alsin and a c.2998delA (p.Ile1000*) nonsense mutation. This study of extended families including a total of eleven affected individuals suggests that a given ALS2 mutation may lead to a phenotype with remarkable intrafamilial clinical homogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakeela Daud
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IBBt), UVAS , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Naseebullah Kakar
- b Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany .,c International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany .,d Department of Biotechnology and Informatics , BUITEMS , Quetta , Pakistan
| | - Ingrid Goebel
- b Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany .,e Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Abu Saeed Hashmi
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IBBt), UVAS , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Tahir Yaqub
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IBBt), UVAS , Lahore , Pakistan .,f Department of Microbiology , UVAS , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Gudrun Nürnberg
- g Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- g Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany .,h Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany .,i Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Deborah J Morris-Rosendahl
- j Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Royal Brompton Hospital , London , United Kingdom .,k National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Wasim
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IBBt), UVAS , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Alexander E Volk
- b Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany .,e Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Christian Kubisch
- b Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany .,e Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Jamil Ahmad
- d Department of Biotechnology and Informatics , BUITEMS , Quetta , Pakistan
| | - Guntram Borck
- b Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
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15
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Alsin related disorders: literature review and case study with novel mutations. Case Rep Genet 2014; 2014:691515. [PMID: 25302125 PMCID: PMC4180207 DOI: 10.1155/2014/691515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ALS2 gene cause three distinct disorders: infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia, juvenile primary lateral sclerosis, and autosomal recessive juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We present a review of the literature and the case of a 16-year-old boy who is, to the best of our knowledge, the first Portuguese case with infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia. Clinical investigations included sequencing analysis of the ALS2 gene, which revealed a heterozygous mutation in exon 5 (c.1425_1428del p.G477Afs*19) and a heterozygous and previously unreported variant in exon 3 (c.145G>A p.G49R). We also examined 42 reported cases on the clinical characteristics and neurophysiological and imaging studies of patients with known ALS2 gene mutations sourced from PubMed. This showed that an overlap of phenotypic manifestations can exist in patients with infantile ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia, juvenile primary lateral sclerosis, and juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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16
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Ghani M, Lang AE, Zinman L, Nacmias B, Sorbi S, Bessi V, Tedde A, Tartaglia MC, Surace EI, Sato C, Moreno D, Xi Z, Hung R, Nalls MA, Singleton A, St George-Hyslop P, Rogaeva E. Mutation analysis of patients with neurodegenerative disorders using NeuroX array. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 36:545.e9-14. [PMID: 25174650 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of patients with neurodegenerative disorders have identified multiple genes that need to be investigated for the presence of damaging variants. However, mutation analysis by Sanger sequencing is costly and time consuming. We tested the utility of a recently designed semi-custom genome-wide array (NeuroX; Illumina, Inc) tailored to study neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., mutation screening). We investigated 192 patients with 4 different neurodegenerative disorders for the presence of rare damaging variations in 77 genes implicated in these diseases. Several causative mutations were identified and confirmed by Sanger sequencing, including PSEN1 p.M233T responsible for Alzheimer's disease in a large Italian family, as well as SOD1 p.A4V and p.I113T in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In total, we identified 78 potentially damaging rare variants (frequency <1%), including ABCA7 p.L400V in a family with Alzheimer's disease and LRRK2 p.R1514Q in 6 of 98 patients with Parkinson's disease (6.1%). In conclusion, NeuroX appears to be helpful for rapid and accurate mutation screening, although further development may be still required to improve some current caveats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Ghani
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Center and the Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Bessi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Tedde
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ezequiel I Surace
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas Dr. Raúl Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christine Sato
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Moreno
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhengrui Xi
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel Hung
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mike A Nalls
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Singleton
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter St George-Hyslop
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Ekaterina Rogaeva
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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17
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Eker HK, Unlü SE, Al-Salmi F, Crosby AH. A novel homozygous mutation in ALS2 gene in four siblings with infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. Eur J Med Genet 2014; 57:275-8. [PMID: 24704789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2014.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal recessive early onset forms of motor neuron disorders including infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia (OMIM #607225) are due to homozygous mutations in the ALS2 gene. Here, we report on a novel splice-site mutation of the ALS2 (c.2351+2C>A) in four children of a consanguineous union with infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Koçak Eker
- Department of Medical Genetics, Dr Faruk Sükan Maternity and Pediatric Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
| | | | - Fatema Al-Salmi
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew H Crosby
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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18
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Racis L, Tessa A, Pugliatti M, Storti E, Agnetti V, Santorelli FM. Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis: a case report and brief literature review. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2014; 18:235-9. [PMID: 24144828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP) is a rare, early-onset autosomal recessive motor neuron disease associated with mutations in ALS2. AIM We studied a 17-year-old boy who had features of IAHSP. We also reviewed the current literature on ALS2-related syndromes. METHODS Clinical and neuroimaging studies were performed. Blood DNA analyses were combined with mRNA studies in cultured skin fibroblasts. RESULTS Like previously described cases, the patient presented with severe spastic paraparesis and showed rapid progression of paresis to the upper limbs. He also developed bulbar involvement and severe scoliosis during childhood. In blood DNA we identified a novel splice-site homozygous mutation in ALS2 (c.3836+1G > T), producing exon skipping in fibroblast mRNA and predicting premature protein truncation. CONCLUSIONS This case adds to the allelic heterogeneity of IAHSP. Review of the pertinent literature indicates a fairly homogeneous clinical picture in IAHSP that should facilitate molecular confirmation and prevention of long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta Racis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Sassari, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Maura Pugliatti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Virgilio Agnetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Sassari, Italy
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19
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20
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Wakil SM, Ramzan K, Abuthuraya R, Hagos S, Al-Dossari H, Al-Omar R, Murad H, Chedrawi A, Al-Hassnan ZN, Finsterer J, Bohlega S. Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia with bulbar involvement due to the novel ALS2 mutation c.2761C>T. Gene 2013; 536:217-20. [PMID: 24315819 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recessive mutations in the alsin gene cause three clinically distinct motor neuron diseases: juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS2), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS) and infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia (IAHSP). A total of 23 different ALS2 mutations have been described for the three disorders so far. Most of these mutations result in a frameshift leading to a premature truncation of the alsin protein. We report the novel ALS2 truncating mutation c.2761C>T; p.R921X detected by homozygosity mapping and sequencing in two infants affected by IAHSP with bulbar involvement. The mutation c.2761C>T resides in the pleckstrin domain, a characteristic segment of guanine nucleotide exchange factors of the Rho GTPase family, which is involved in the overall neuronal development or maintenance. This study highlights the importance of using homozygosity mapping combined with candidate gene analysis to identify the underlying genetic defect as in this Saudi consanguineous family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma M Wakil
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Khushnooda Ramzan
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rula Abuthuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samya Hagos
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haya Al-Dossari
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana Al-Omar
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatem Murad
- Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aziza Chedrawi
- Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zuhair N Al-Hassnan
- Department of Medical Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saeed Bohlega
- Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Luigetti M, Lattante S, Conte A, Romano A, Zollino M, Marangi G, Sabatelli M. A novel compound heterozygous ALS2 mutation in two Italian siblings with juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2013; 14:470-2. [PMID: 23282280 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2012.756036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Luigetti
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
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22
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Cozzolino M, Pesaresi MG, Gerbino V, Grosskreutz J, Carrì MT. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new insights into underlying molecular mechanisms and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Antioxid Redox Signal 2012; 17:1277-330. [PMID: 22413952 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in the pathogenic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a late-onset progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The discovery of new genes associated with the familial form of the disease, along with a deeper insight into pathways already described for this disease, has led scientists to reconsider previous postulates. While protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, defective axonal transport, and excitotoxicity have not been dismissed, they need to be re-examined as contributors to the onset or progression of ALS in the light of the current knowledge that the mutations of proteins involved in RNA processing, apparently unrelated to the previous "old partners," are causative of the same phenotype. Thus, newly envisaged models and tools may offer unforeseen clues on the etiology of this disease and hopefully provide the key to treatment.
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23
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Defective relocalization of ALS2/alsin missense mutants to Rac1-induced macropinosomes accounts for loss of their cellular function and leads to disturbed amphisome formation. FEBS Lett 2011; 585:730-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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24
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Dion PA, Daoud H, Rouleau GA. Genetics of motor neuron disorders: new insights into pathogenic mechanisms. Nat Rev Genet 2009; 10:769-82. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg2680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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25
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Lai C, Xie C, Shim H, Chandran J, Howell BW, Cai H. Regulation of endosomal motility and degradation by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2/alsin. Mol Brain 2009; 2:23. [PMID: 19630956 PMCID: PMC2724476 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-2-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of alsin, particularly its putative Rab5 guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor activity, has been linked to one form of juvenile onset recessive familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS2). Multiple lines of alsin knockout (ALS2(-/-)) mice have been generated to model this disease. However, it remains elusive whether the Rab5-dependent endocytosis is altered in ALS2(-/-) neurons. To directly examine the Rab5-mediated endosomal trafficking in ALS2(-/-) neurons, we introduced green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Rab5 into cultured hippocampal neurons to monitor the morphology and motility of Rab5-associated early endosomes. Here we report that Rab5-mediated endocytosis was severely altered in ALS2(-/-) neurons. Excessive accumulation of Rab5-positive vesicles was observed in ALS2(-/-) neurons, which correlated with a significant reduction in endosomal motility and augmentation in endosomal conversion to lysosomes. Consequently, a significant increase in endosome/lysosome-dependent degradation of internalized glutamate receptors was observed in ALS2(-/-) neurons. These phenotypes closely resembled the endosomal trafficking abnormalities induced by a constitutively active form of Rab5 in wild-type neurons. Therefore, our findings reveal a negatively regulatory mechanism of alsin in Rab5-mediated endosomal trafficking, suggesting that enhanced endosomal degradation in ALS2(-/-) neurons may underlie the pathogenesis of motor neuron degeneration in ALS2 and related motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Lai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Chengsong Xie
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Hoon Shim
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
- Current address: School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jayanth Chandran
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
- Current address: University of Edinburgh, Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Brian W Howell
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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26
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Jacquier A, Bellouze S, Blanchard S, Bohl D, Haase G. Astrocytic protection of spinal motor neurons but not cortical neurons against loss of Als2/alsin function. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:2127-39. [PMID: 19304783 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Three neurodegenerative diseases affecting upper and/or lower motor neurons have been associated with loss of ALS2/Alsin function: juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, primary lateral sclerosis and infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. The distinct neuronal vulnerability and the role of glia in these diseases remains, however, unclear. We here demonstrate that alsin-depleted spinal motor neurons can be rescued from defective survival and axon growth by co-cultured astrocytes. The astrocytic rescue is mediated by a soluble protective factor rather than by cellular contact. Cortical neurons are intrinsically as vulnerable to alsin depletion as spinal motor neurons but cannot be rescued by co-cultured astrocytes. To our knowledge, these data provide the first example of non-cell-autonomous glial effects in a recessive form of motor neuron disease and a potential rationale for the higher vulnerability of upper versus lower motor neurons in ALS2/Alsin-linked disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jacquier
- Laboratory of Motor Neuron Disease Modeling and Therapy, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille Luminy, Université Aix-Marseille, Case 907, Parc scientifique de Luminy, F-13273 Marseille cedex 09, France
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Barohn RJ. CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF MOTOR NEURON DISORDERS. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2009. [DOI: 10.1212/01.con.0000300010.02717.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Soares DC, Barlow PN, Porteous DJ, Devon RS. An interrupted beta-propeller and protein disorder: structural bioinformatics insights into the N-terminus of alsin. J Mol Model 2008; 15:113-22. [PMID: 19023603 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-008-0381-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2008] [Accepted: 11/05/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the human ALS2 gene, which encodes the 1,657-amino-acid residue protein alsin, are linked to several related motor neuron diseases. We created a structural model for the N-terminal 690-residue region of alsin through comparative modelling based on regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1). We propose that this alsin region contains seven RCC1-like repeats in a seven-bladed beta-propeller structure. The propeller is formed by a double clasp arrangement containing two segments (residues 1-218 and residues 525-690). The 306-residue insert region, predicted to lie within blade 5 and to be largely disordered, is poorly conserved across species. Surface patches of evolutionary conservation probably indicate locations of binding sites. Both disease-causing missense mutations-Cys157Tyr and Gly540Glu-are buried in the propeller and likely to be structurally disruptive. This study aids design of experimental studies by highlighting the importance of construct length, will enhance interpretation of protein-protein interactions, and enable rational site-directed mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh C Soares
- Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH42XU, UK.
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Cai H, Shim H, Lai C, Xie C, Lin X, Yang WJ, Chandran J. ALS2/alsin knockout mice and motor neuron diseases. NEURODEGENER DIS 2008; 5:359-66. [PMID: 18714162 DOI: 10.1159/000151295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2007] [Accepted: 12/21/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive mutations in the ALS2 gene have been linked to juvenile-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS2), primary lateral sclerosis and juvenile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia. Except for two recently identified missense mutations, all other mutations in the ALS2 gene lead to a premature stop codon and likely abrogate all the potential functions of alsin, the protein encoded by the ALS2 gene. To study the pathologic mechanisms of ALS2 deficiency, four different lines of ALS2 knockout (ALS2(-/-)) mice have been generated by independent groups. The loss of ALS2/alsin does not have a drastic effect on the survival or function of motor neurons in mice. However, subtle deficits observed in the behavior and pathology of these mice have aided in our understanding of the relationship between alsin and motor neuron dysfunction. In this review, we summarize and reconcile major findings of ALS2(-/-) mice and attempt to place these results within the larger context of modeling recessive movement disorders in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaibin Cai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, USA.
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30
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Gros-Louis F, Kriz J, Kabashi E, McDearmid J, Millecamps S, Urushitani M, Lin L, Dion P, Zhu Q, Drapeau P, Julien JP, Rouleau GA. Als2 mRNA splicing variants detected in KO mice rescue severe motor dysfunction phenotype in Als2 knock-down zebrafish. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:2691-702. [PMID: 18558633 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recessive ALS2 mutations are linked to three related but slightly different neurodegenerative disorders: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and primary lateral sclerosis. To investigate the function of the ALS2 encoded protein, we generated Als2 knock-out (KO) mice and zAls2 knock-down zebrafish. The Als2(-/-) mice lacking exon 2 and part of exon 3 developed mild signs of neurodegeneration compatible with axonal transport deficiency. In contrast, zAls2 knock-down zebrafish had severe developmental abnormalities, swimming deficits and motor neuron perturbation. We identified, by RT-PCR, northern and western blotting novel Als2 transcripts in mouse central nervous system. These Als2 transcripts were present in Als2 null mice as well as in wild-type littermates and some rescued the zebrafish phenotype. Thus, we speculate that the newly identified Als2 mRNA species prevent the Als2 KO mice from developing severe neurodegenerative disease and might also regulate the severity of the motor neurons phenotype observed in ALS2 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Gros-Louis
- Department of Medicine, Center for Excellence in Neuromics, CHUM Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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31
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Verschuuren-Bemelmans CC, Winter P, Sival DA, Elting JW, Brouwer OF, Müller U. Novel homozygous ALS2 nonsense mutation (p.Gln715X) in sibs with infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis: the first cases from northwestern Europe. Eur J Hum Genet 2008; 16:1407-11. [PMID: 18523452 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2008.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a previously not recognized nonsense mutation in exon 10 of the ALS2 gene in two sibs with infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis. The mutation predicts chain termination at amino-acid position 715 of the gene product ALSIN (p.Gln715X). The sibs' parents are descendants of a common ancestor who lived in the northern Netherlands during the eighteenth century. This is the first ALS2 mutation detected in northwestern Europeans. The findings emphasize that mutations in ALS2 also need to be considered in patients from northwestern Europe with early-onset spastic paralysis and amyotrophic or primary lateral sclerosis.
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32
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Cozzolino M, Ferri A, Carrì MT. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from current developments in the laboratory to clinical implications. Antioxid Redox Signal 2008; 10:405-43. [PMID: 18370853 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2007.1760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset progressive degeneration of motor neurons occurring both as a sporadic and a familial disease. The etiology of ALS remains unknown, but one fifth of instances are due to specific gene defects, the best characterized of which is point mutations in the gene coding for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Because sporadic and familial ALS affect the same neurons with similar pathology, it is hoped that understanding these gene defects will help in devising therapies effective in both forms. A wealth of evidence has been collected in rodents made transgenic for mutant SOD1, which represent the best available models for familial ALS. Mutant SOD1 likely induces selective vulnerability of motor neurons through a combination of several mechanisms, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, cytoskeletal abnormalities and defective axonal transport, excitotoxicity, inadequate growth factor signaling, and inflammation. Damage within motor neurons is enhanced by noxious signals originating from nonneuronal neighboring cells, where mutant SOD1 induces an inflammatory response that accelerates disease progression. The clinical implication of these findings is that promising therapeutic approaches can be derived from multidrug treatments aimed at the simultaneous interception of damage in both motor neurons and nonmotor neuronal cells.
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Kato S. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models and human neuropathology: similarities and differences. Acta Neuropathol 2008; 115:97-114. [PMID: 18026741 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-007-0308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2007] [Revised: 09/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that primarily involves the motor neuron system. The author initially summarizes the principal features of human ALS neuropathology, and subsequently describes in detail ALS animal models mainly from the viewpoint of pathological similarities and differences. ALS animal models in this review include strains of rodents that are transgenic for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), ALS2 knockout mice, and mice that are transgenic for cytoskeletal abnormalities. Although the neuropathological results obtained from human ALS autopsy cases are valuable and important, almost all of such cases represent only the terminal stage. This makes it difficult to clarify how and why ALS motor neurons are impaired at each clinical stage from disease onset to death, and as a consequence, human autopsy cases alone yield little insight into potential therapies for ALS. Although ALS animal models cannot replicate human ALS, in order to compensate for the shortcomings of studies using human ALS autopsy samples, researchers must inevitably rely on ALS animal models that can yield very important information for clarifying the pathogenesis of ALS in humans and for the establishment of reliable therapy. Of course, human ALS and all ALS animal models share one most important similarity in that both exhibit motor neuron degeneration/death. This important point of similarity has shed much light on the pathomechanisms of the motor neuron degeneration/death at the cellular and molecular levels that would not have been appreciated if only human ALS autopsy samples had been available. On the basis of the aspects covered in this review, it can be concluded that ALS animal models can yield very important information for clarifying the pathogenesis of ALS in humans and for the establishment of reliable therapy only in combination with detailed neuropathological data obtained from human ALS autopsy cases.
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34
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Couratier P, Vallat JM. Sclerosi laterale primitiva. Neurologia 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1634-7072(08)70520-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Chandran J, Ding J, Cai H. Alsin and the molecular pathways of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2007; 36:224-31. [PMID: 17955197 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-007-0034-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2006] [Accepted: 02/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal recessive mutations in the ALS2 gene lead to a clinical spectrum of motor dysfunction including juvenile onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS2), primary lateral sclerosis, and hereditary spastic paraplegia. The 184-kDa alsin protein, encoded by the full-length ALS2 gene, contains three different guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor-like domains, which may play a role in the etiology of the disease. Multiple in vitro biochemical and cell biology assays suggest that alsin dysfunction affects endosome trafficking through a Rab5 small GTPase family-mediated mechanism. Four ALS2-deficient mouse models have been generated by different groups and used to study the behavioral and pathological impact of alsin deficiency. These mouse models largely fail to recapitulate hallmarks of motor neuron disease, but the subtle deficits that are observed in behavior and pathology have aided in our understanding of the relationship between alsin and motor dysfunction. In this review, we summarize recent clinical and molecular reports regarding alsin and attempt to place these results within the larger context of motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth Chandran
- Unit of Transgenesis, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Building 35, Room 1A116, MSC 3707, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, USA
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36
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Delague V, Jacquier A, Hamadouche T, Poitelon Y, Baudot C, Boccaccio I, Chouery E, Chaouch M, Kassouri N, Jabbour R, Grid D, Mégarbané A, Haase G, Lévy N. Mutations in FGD4 encoding the Rho GDP/GTP exchange factor FRABIN cause autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4H. Am J Hum Genet 2007; 81:1-16. [PMID: 17564959 PMCID: PMC1950914 DOI: 10.1086/518428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2007] [Accepted: 03/15/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies characterized by muscle weakness and wasting, foot and hand deformities, and electrophysiological changes. The CMT4H subtype is an autosomal recessive demyelinating form of CMT that was recently mapped to a 15.8-Mb region at chromosome 12p11.21-q13.11, in two consanguineous families of Mediterranean origin, by homozygosity mapping. We report here the identification of mutations in FGD4, encoding FGD4 or FRABIN (FGD1-related F-actin binding protein), in both families. FRABIN is a GDP/GTP nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), specific to Cdc42, a member of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins (Rho GTPases). Rho GTPases play a key role in regulating signal-transduction pathways in eukaryotes. In particular, they have a pivotal role in mediating actin cytoskeleton changes during cell migration, morphogenesis, polarization, and division. Consistent with these reported functions, expression of truncated FRABIN mutants in rat primary motoneurons and rat Schwann cells induced significantly fewer microspikes than expression of wild-type FRABIN. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mutations in a Rho GEF protein being involved in CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Delague
- INSERM U491, Génétique Médicale et Développement, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.
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37
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Hadano S, Kunita R, Otomo A, Suzuki-Utsunomiya K, Ikeda JE. Molecular and cellular function of ALS2/alsin: Implication of membrane dynamics in neuronal development and degeneration. Neurochem Int 2007; 51:74-84. [PMID: 17566607 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2007.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Revised: 04/18/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
ALS2 is a causative gene for a juvenile autosomal recessive form of motor neuron diseases (MNDs), including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2 (ALS2), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis, and infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. These disorders are characterized by ascending degeneration of the upper motor neurons with or without lower motor neuron involvement. Thus far, a total of 12 independent ALS2 mutations, which include a small deletion, non-sense mutation, or missense mutation spreading widely across the entire coding sequence, are reported. They are predicted to result in either premature termination of translation or substitution of an evolutionarily conserved amino acid. Thus, a loss of functions in the ALS2-coded protein accounts for motor dysfunction and/or degeneration in the ALS2-linked MNDs. The ALS2 gene encodes a novel 184kDa protein of 1657 amino acids, ALS2 or alsin, comprising three predicted guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domains: the N-terminal RCC1-like domain, the central Dbl homology and pleckstrin homology (DH/PH) domains, and the C-terminal vacuolar protein sorting 9 (VPS9) domain. In addition, eight consecutive membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN) motifs are noted in the region between DH/PH and VPS9 domains. ALS2 activates Rab5 small GTPase and involves in endosome/membrane trafficking and fusions in the cells, and also promotes neurite outgrowth in neuronal cultures. Further, a neuroprotective role for ALS2 against cytotoxicity; i.e., the mutant Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-mediated toxicity, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity, has recently been implied. This review outlines current understandings of the molecular and cellular functions of ALS2 and its related proteins on safeguarding the integrity of motor neurons, and sheds light on the molecular pathogenesis of MNDs as well as other conditions of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Hadano
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
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38
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Delague V, Jacquier A, Hamadouche T, Poitelon Y, Baudot C, Boccaccio I, Chouery E, Chaouch M, Kassouri N, Jabbour R, Grid D, Mégarbané A, Haase G, Lévy N. Mutations in FGD4 encoding the Rho GDP/GTP exchange factor FRABIN cause autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4H. Am J Hum Genet 2007. [PMID: 17564959 DOI: 10.1086/518428/s0002-9297(07)62812-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies characterized by muscle weakness and wasting, foot and hand deformities, and electrophysiological changes. The CMT4H subtype is an autosomal recessive demyelinating form of CMT that was recently mapped to a 15.8-Mb region at chromosome 12p11.21-q13.11, in two consanguineous families of Mediterranean origin, by homozygosity mapping. We report here the identification of mutations in FGD4, encoding FGD4 or FRABIN (FGD1-related F-actin binding protein), in both families. FRABIN is a GDP/GTP nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), specific to Cdc42, a member of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins (Rho GTPases). Rho GTPases play a key role in regulating signal-transduction pathways in eukaryotes. In particular, they have a pivotal role in mediating actin cytoskeleton changes during cell migration, morphogenesis, polarization, and division. Consistent with these reported functions, expression of truncated FRABIN mutants in rat primary motoneurons and rat Schwann cells induced significantly fewer microspikes than expression of wild-type FRABIN. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mutations in a Rho GEF protein being involved in CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Delague
- INSERM U491, Génétique Médicale et Développement, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.
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Abstract
The spectrum of motor neuron diseases ranges from disorders that clinically are limited to lower motor neurons to those that exclusively affect upper motor neurons. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is the designation for the syndrome of progressive upper motor neuron dysfunction when no other etiology is identified. Distinction between PLS and the more common amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) relies primarily on recognition of their symptoms and signs, as well as on ancillary, although non-specific, laboratory data. In this review, we survey the history of PLS from the initial descriptions to the present. We discuss the role of laboratory, electrodiagnostic, and imaging studies in excluding other diagnoses; the findings from major case series of PLS patients; and proposed diagnostic criteria. Consistent differences are evident in patients classified as PLS compared to those with ALS, indicating that, despite its limitations, this clinical designation retains important utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike A Singer
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-8897, USA.
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Neusch C, Bähr M, Schneider-Gold C. Glia cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: New clues to understanding an old disease? Muscle Nerve 2007; 35:712-24. [PMID: 17373702 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In classic neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the pathogenic concept of a cell-autonomous disease of motor neurons has been challenged increasingly in recent years. Macro- and microglial cells have come to the forefront for their role in multistep degenerative processes in ALS and respective disease models. The activation of astroglial and microglial cells occurs early in the pathogenesis of the disease and seems to greatly influence disease onset and promotion. The role of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells remains elusive. In this review we highlight the impact of nonneuronal cells in ALS pathology. We discuss diverse glial membrane proteins that are necessary to control neuronal activity and neuronal cell survival, and summarize the contribution of these proteins to motor neuron death in ALS. We also describe recently discovered glial mechanisms that promote motor neuron degeneration using state-of-the-art genetic mouse technology. Finally, we provide an outlook on the extent to which these new pathomechanistic insights may offer novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Neusch
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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Lai C, Xie C, McCormack SG, Chiang HC, Michalak MK, Lin X, Chandran J, Shim H, Shimoji M, Cookson MR, Huganir RL, Rothstein JD, Price DL, Wong PC, Martin LJ, Zhu JJ, Cai H. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2-deficiency leads to neuronal degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through altered AMPA receptor trafficking. J Neurosci 2006; 26:11798-806. [PMID: 17093100 PMCID: PMC2556290 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2084-06.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease is caused by a selective loss of motor neurons. One form of juvenile onset autosomal recessive ALS (ALS2) has been linked to the loss of function of the ALS2 gene. The pathogenic mechanism of ALS2-deficiency, however, remains unclear. To further understand the function of alsin that is encoded by the full-length ALS2 gene, we screened proteins interacting with alsin. Here, we report that alsin interacted with glutamate receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) both in vitro and in vivo, and colocalized with GRIP1 in neurons. In support of the physiological interaction between alsin and GRIP1, the subcellular distribution of GRIP1 was altered in ALS2(-/-) spinal motor neurons, which correlates with a significant reduction of AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit 2 (GluR2) at the synaptic/cell surface of ALS2(-/-) neurons. The decrease of calcium-impermeable GluR2-containing AMPA receptors at the cell/synaptic surface rendered ALS2(-/-) neurons more susceptible to glutamate receptor-mediated neurotoxicity. Our findings reveal a novel function of alsin in AMPA receptor trafficking and provide a novel pathogenic link between ALS2-deficiency and motor neuron degeneration, suggesting a protective role of alsin in maintaining the survival of motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Lai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Chengsong Xie
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Stefanie G. McCormack
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | | | - Marta K. Michalak
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Technical University of Łódź, 90-924 Łódź, Poland
| | - Xian Lin
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Jayanth Chandran
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Hoon Shim
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Mika Shimoji
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Mark R. Cookson
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Richard L. Huganir
- Neuroscience, and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, and
| | | | | | | | | | - J. Julius Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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Yamanaka K, Miller TM, McAlonis-Downes M, Chun SJ, Cleveland DW. Progressive spinal axonal degeneration and slowness in ALS2-deficient mice. Ann Neurol 2006; 60:95-104. [PMID: 16802286 DOI: 10.1002/ana.20888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Homozygous mutation in the ALS2 gene and the resulting loss of the guanine exchange factor activity of the ALS2 protein is causative for autosomal recessive early-onset motor neuron disease that is thought to predominantly affect upper motor neurons. The goal of this study was to elucidate how the motor system is affected by the deletion of ALS2. METHODS ALS2-deficient mice were generated by gene targeting. Motor function and upper and lower motor neuron pathology were examined in ALS2-deficient mice and in mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mice that develop ALS-like disease from expression of an ALS-linked mutation in SOD1. RESULTS ALS2-deficient mice demonstrated progressive axonal degeneration in the lateral spinal cord that is also prominent in mutant SOD1 mice. Despite the vulnerability of these spinal axons, lower motor neurons in ALS2-deficient mice were preserved. Behavioral studies demonstrated slowed movement without muscle weakness in ALS2(-/-) mice, consistent with upper motor neuron defects that lead to spasticity in humans. INTERPRETATION The combined evidence from mice and humans shows that deficiency in ALS2 causes an upper motor neuron disease that in humans closely resembles a severe form of hereditary spastic paralysis, and that is quite distinct from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Yamanaka
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Department of Medicine and Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, 92093-0670, USA.
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