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Moreno R, Recio J, Barber S, Gil C, Martinez A. The emerging role of mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) and its potential as a target for neurodegenerative diseases therapies. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115511. [PMID: 37247505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Selective and brain-permeable protein kinase inhibitors are in preclinical development for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Among them, MLK3 inhibitors, with a potent neuroprotective biological action have emerged as valuable agents for the treatment of pathologies such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In fact, one MLK3 inhibitor, CEP-1347, reached clinical trials for Parkinson's disease. Additionally, another compound called prostetin/12k, a potent and rather selective MLK3 inhibitor has started clinical development for ALS based on its motor neuron protection in both in vitro and in vivo models. In this review, we will focus on the role of MLK3 in neuron-related cell death processes, neurodegenerative diseases, and the potential advantages of targeting this kinase through pharmacological modulation for neuroprotective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Moreno
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Recio
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Barber
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Qin S, Tang H, Li W, Gong Y, Li S, Huang J, Fang Y, Yuan W, Liu Y, Wang S, Guo Y, Guo Y, Xu Z. AMPK and its Activator Berberine in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 26:5054-5066. [PMID: 32445451 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200523172334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are heterogeneous diseases associated with either acute or progressive neurodegeneration, causing the loss of neurons and axons in the central nervous system (CNS), showing high morbidity and mortality, and there are only a few effective therapies. Here, we summarized that the energy sensor adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and its agonist berberine can combat the common underlying pathological events of neurodegeneration, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial disorder, glutamate excitotoxicity, apoptosis, autophagy disorder, and disruption of neurovascular units. The abovementioned effects of berberine may primarily depend on activating AMPK and its downstream targets, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), sirtuin1 (SIRT1), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor-2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). It is hoped that this review will provide a strong basis for further scientific exploration and development of berberine's therapeutic potential against neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siru Qin
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiling Tang
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yinan Gong
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Fang
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjuan Yuan
- The First people’s hospital of Lanzhou city, Gansu, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shenjun Wang
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongming Guo
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Guo
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhifang Xu
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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3
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Sproviero D, Gagliardi S, Zucca S, Arigoni M, Giannini M, Garofalo M, Olivero M, Dell’Orco M, Pansarasa O, Bernuzzi S, Avenali M, Cotta Ramusino M, Diamanti L, Minafra B, Perini G, Zangaglia R, Costa A, Ceroni M, Perrone-Bizzozero NI, Calogero RA, Cereda C. Different miRNA Profiles in Plasma Derived Small and Large Extracellular Vesicles from Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052737. [PMID: 33800495 PMCID: PMC7962970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying biomarkers is essential for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Large (LEVs) and small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) are extracellular vesicles (EVs) of different sizes and biological functions transported in blood and they may be valid biomarkers for NDs. The aim of our study was to investigate common and different miRNA signatures in plasma derived LEVs and SEVs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD) patients. LEVs and SEVs were isolated from plasma of patients and healthy volunteers (CTR) by filtration and differential centrifugation and RNA was extracted. Small RNAs libraries were carried out by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). MiRNAs discriminate all NDs diseases from CTRs and they can provide a signature for each NDs. Common enriched pathways for SEVs were instead linked to ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways and for LEVs to neurotrophin signaling and Glycosphingolipid biosynthesis pathway. LEVs and SEVs are involved in different pathways and this might give a specificity to their role in the spreading of the disease. The study of common and different miRNAs transported by LEVs and SEVs can be of great interest for biomarker discovery and for pathogenesis studies in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Sproviero
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
| | - Susanna Zucca
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
- EnGenome SRL, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Bioinformatics and Genomics Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Marta Giannini
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Maria Garofalo
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology (“L. Spallanzani”), University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina Olivero
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10060 Turin, Italy;
| | - Michela Dell’Orco
- Departments of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Orietta Pansarasa
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
| | - Stefano Bernuzzi
- Immunohematological and Transfusional Service and Centre of Transplantation Immunology, IRCCS “San Matteo Foundation”, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Micol Avenali
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Matteo Cotta Ramusino
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.R.); (G.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Luca Diamanti
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Brigida Minafra
- Parkinson Unit and Movement Disorders Mondino Foundation IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Giulia Perini
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.R.); (G.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Roberta Zangaglia
- Parkinson Unit and Movement Disorders Mondino Foundation IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Alfredo Costa
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.R.); (G.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mauro Ceroni
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.R.); (G.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Nora I. Perrone-Bizzozero
- Departments of Neurosciences and Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Raffaele A. Calogero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Bioinformatics and Genomics Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and post-Genomic Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.S.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (O.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0382380348
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4
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Palomo V, Nozal V, Rojas-Prats E, Gil C, Martinez A. Protein kinase inhibitors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:1316-1335. [PMID: 32737989 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that causes the progressive loss of motoneurons and, unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Interconnecting multiple pathological mechanisms are involved in the neuropathology of this disease, including abnormal aggregation of proteins, neuroinflammation and dysregulation of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Such complex mechanisms, together with the lack of reliable animal models of the disease have hampered the development of drugs for this disease. Protein kinases, a key pharmacological target in several diseases, have been linked to ALS as they play a central role in the pathology of many diseases. Therefore several inhibitors are being currently trailed for clinical proof of concept in ALS patients. In this review, we examine the recent literature on protein kinase inhibitors currently in pharmaceutical development for this diseaseas future therapy for AS together with their involvement in the pathobiology of ALS. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Neurochemistry in Japan. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valle Palomo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Nozal
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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5
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Henegan P, Chysna K, Essad K, Stommel E. Two mutations, one family: C9orf72 and SQSTM1 in neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurol Sci 2019; 405:116420. [PMID: 31445297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Henegan
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, NH 03756, Lebanon.
| | - Kevin Chysna
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, NH 03756, Lebanon
| | - Kate Essad
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, NH 03756, Lebanon
| | - Elijah Stommel
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, NH 03756, Lebanon
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6
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Parakh S, Perri ER, Jagaraj CJ, Ragagnin AMG, Atkin JD. Rab-dependent cellular trafficking and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 53:623-651. [PMID: 30741580 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2018.1553926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rab GTPases are becoming increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, although their role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been somewhat overlooked. However, dysfunction of intracellular transport is gaining increasing attention as a pathogenic mechanism in ALS. Many previous studies have focused axonal trafficking, and the extreme length of axons in motor neurons may contribute to their unique susceptibility in this disorder. In contrast, the role of transport defects within the cell body has been relatively neglected. Similarly, whilst Rab GTPases control all intracellular membrane trafficking events, their role in ALS is poorly understood. Emerging evidence now highlights this family of proteins in ALS, particularly the discovery that C9orf72 functions in intra transport in conjunction with several Rab GTPases. Here, we summarize recent updates on cellular transport defects in ALS, with a focus on Rab GTPases and how their dysfunction may specifically target neurons and contribute to pathophysiology. We discuss the molecular mechanisms associated with dysfunction of Rab proteins in ALS. Finally, we also discuss dysfunction in other modes of transport recently implicated in ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport and the ER-mitochondrial contact regions (MAM compartment), and speculate whether these may also involve Rab GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Parakh
- a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research , Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.,b Department of Biochemistry and Genetics , La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia
| | - E R Perri
- a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research , Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.,b Department of Biochemistry and Genetics , La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia
| | - C J Jagaraj
- a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research , Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia
| | - A M G Ragagnin
- a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research , Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia
| | - J D Atkin
- a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for MND Research , Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.,b Department of Biochemistry and Genetics , La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia
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7
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Berson A, Goodman LD, Sartoris AN, Otte CG, Aykit JA, Lee VMY, Trojanowski JQ, Bonini NM. Drosophila Ref1/ALYREF regulates transcription and toxicity associated with ALS/FTD disease etiologies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:65. [PMID: 31036086 PMCID: PMC6487524 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but the underlying disease mechanisms remain unclear. In an unbiased screen in Drosophila for RBPs that genetically interact with TDP-43, we found that downregulation of the mRNA export factor Ref1 (fly orthologue to human ALYREF) mitigated TDP-43 induced toxicity. Further, Ref1 depletion also reduced toxicity caused by expression of the C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat expansion. Ref1 knockdown lowered the mRNA levels for these related disease genes and reduced the encoded proteins with no effect on a wild-type Tau disease transgene or a control transgene. Interestingly, expression of TDP-43 or the GGGGCC repeat expansion increased endogenous Ref1 mRNA levels in the fly brain. Further, the human orthologue ALYREF was upregulated by immunohistochemistry in ALS motor neurons, with the strongest upregulation occurring in ALS cases harboring the GGGGCC expansion in C9orf72. These data support ALYREF as a contributor to ALS/FTD and highlight its downregulation as a potential therapeutic target that may affect co-existing disease etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Berson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lindsey D Goodman
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ashley N Sartoris
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Charlton G Otte
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - James A Aykit
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John Q Trojanowski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nancy M Bonini
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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8
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Savage AL, Schumann GG, Breen G, Bubb VJ, Al-Chalabi A, Quinn JP. Retrotransposons in the development and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:284-293. [PMID: 30305322 PMCID: PMC6518469 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319210] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous retrotransposon sequences constitute approximately 42% of the human genome, and mobilisation of retrotransposons has resulted in rearrangements, duplications, deletions, novel transcripts and the introduction of new regulatory domains throughout the human genome. Both germline and somatic de novo retrotransposition events have been involved in a range of human diseases, and there is emerging evidence for the modulation of retrotransposon activity during the development of specific diseases. Particularly, there is unequivocal consensus that endogenous retrotransposition can occur in neuronal lineages. This review addresses our current knowledge of the different mechanisms through which retrotransposons might influence the development of and predisposition to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Savage
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gerald G Schumann
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vivien J Bubb
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK.,King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - John P Quinn
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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9
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Konopka A, Atkin JD. The Emerging Role of DNA Damage in the Pathogenesis of the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103137. [PMID: 30322030 PMCID: PMC6213462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a behavioural disorder resulting in early-onset dementia. Hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansions in the gene encoding chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the major cause of familial forms of both ALS (~40%) and FTD (~20%) worldwide. The C9orf72 repeat expansion is known to form abnormal nuclei acid structures, such as hairpins, G-quadruplexes, and R-loops, which are increasingly associated with human diseases involving microsatellite repeats. These configurations form during normal cellular processes, but if they persist they also damage DNA, and hence are a serious threat to genome integrity. It is unclear how the repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes ALS, but recent evidence implicates DNA damage in neurodegeneration. This may arise from abnormal nucleic acid structures, the greatly expanded C9orf72 RNA, or by repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation, which generates toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. In this review, we detail recent advances implicating DNA damage in C9orf72-ALS. Furthermore, we also discuss increasing evidence that targeting these aberrant C9orf72 confirmations may have therapeutic value for ALS, thus revealing new avenues for drug discovery for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Konopka
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
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10
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Kumar S, Yadav N, Pandey S, Thelma BK. Advances in the discovery of genetic risk factors for complex forms of neurodegenerative disorders: contemporary approaches, success, challenges and prospects. J Genet 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-018-0953-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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