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van Tartwijk FW, Wunderlich LCS, Mela I, Makarchuk S, Jakobs MAH, Qamar S, Franze K, Kaminski Schierle GS, St George-Hyslop PH, Lin JQ, Holt CE, Kaminski CF. Mutation of the ALS-/FTD-Associated RNA-Binding Protein FUS Affects Axonal Development. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e2148232024. [PMID: 38692734 PMCID: PMC7616130 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2148-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant condensation and localization of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) fused in sarcoma (FUS) occur in variants of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Changes in RBP function are commonly associated with changes in axonal cytoskeletal organization and branching in neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we asked whether branching defects also occur in vivo in a model of FUS-associated disease. We use two reported Xenopus models of ALS/FTD (of either sex), the ALS-associated mutant FUS(P525L) and a mimic of hypomethylated FUS, FUS(16R). Both mutants strongly reduced axonal complexity in vivo. We also observed an axon looping defect for FUS(P525L) in the target area, which presumably arises due to errors in stop cue signaling. To assess whether the loss of axon complexity also had a cue-independent component, we assessed axonal cytoskeletal integrity in vitro. Using a novel combination of fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, we found that mutant FUS reduced actin density in the growth cone, altering its mechanical properties. Therefore, FUS mutants may induce defects during early axonal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca W van Tartwijk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia C S Wunderlich
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - Ioanna Mela
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - Stanislaw Makarchuk
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 OAH, United Kingdom
| | - Maximilian A H Jakobs
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Seema Qamar
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriele S Kaminski Schierle
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - Peter H St George-Hyslop
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and University Health Network and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Taub Institute For Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irvine Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Julie Qiaojin Lin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 OAH, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Christine E Holt
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Clemens F Kaminski
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
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Coombes BJ, Ovsyannikova IG, Schaid DJ, Warner ND, Poland GA, Kennedy RB. Polygenic Prediction of Cellular Immune Responses to Mumps Vaccine. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.23.24303277. [PMID: 38464113 PMCID: PMC10925362 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.23.24303277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In this report, we provide a follow-up analysis of a previously published genome-wide association study of host genetic variants associated with inter-individual variations in cellular immune responses to mumps vaccine. Here we report the results of a polygenic score (PGS) analysis showing how common variants can predict mumps vaccine response. We found higher PGS for IFNγ, IL-2, and TNFα were predictive of higher post-vaccine IFNγ (p-value = 2e-6), IL-2 (p = 2e-7), and TNFα (p = 0.004) levels, respectively. Control of immune responses after vaccination is complex and polygenic in nature. Our results suggest that the PGS-based approach enables better capture of the combined genetic effects that contribute to mumps vaccine-induced immunity, potentially offering a more comprehensive understanding than traditional single-variant GWAS. This approach will likely have broad utility in studying genetic control of immune responses to other vaccines and to infectious diseases.
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3
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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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Zhou Z, Kim J, Huang AY, Nolan M, Park J, Doan R, Shin T, Miller MB, Chhouk B, Morillo K, Yeh RC, Kenny C, Neil JE, Lee CZ, Ohkubo T, Ravits J, Ansorge O, Ostrow LW, Lagier-Tourenne C, Lee EA, Walsh CA. Somatic Mosaicism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia Reveals Widespread Degeneration from Focal Mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569436. [PMID: 38077003 PMCID: PMC10705414 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Although mutations in dozens of genes have been implicated in familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (fFTD), most cases of these conditions are sporadic (sALS and sFTD), with no family history, and their etiology remains obscure. We tested the hypothesis that somatic mosaic mutations, present in some but not all cells, might contribute in these cases, by performing ultra-deep, targeted sequencing of 88 genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases in postmortem brain and spinal cord samples from 404 individuals with sALS or sFTD and 144 controls. Known pathogenic germline mutations were found in 20.6% of ALS, and 26.5% of FTD cases. Predicted pathogenic somatic mutations in ALS/FTD genes were observed in 2.7% of sALS and sFTD cases that did not carry known pathogenic or novel germline mutations. Somatic mutations showed low variant allele fraction (typically <2%) and were often restricted to the region of initial discovery, preventing detection through genetic screening in peripheral tissues. Damaging somatic mutations were preferentially enriched in primary motor cortex of sALS and prefrontal cortex of sFTD, mirroring regions most severely affected in each disease. Somatic mutation analysis of bulk RNA-seq data from brain and spinal cord from an additional 143 sALS cases and 23 controls confirmed an overall enrichment of somatic mutations in sALS. Two adult sALS cases were identified bearing pathogenic somatic mutations in DYNC1H1 and LMNA, two genes associated with pediatric motor neuron degeneration. Our study suggests that somatic mutations in fALS/fFTD genes, and in genes associated with more severe diseases in the germline state, contribute to sALS and sFTD, and that mosaic mutations in a small fraction of cells in focal regions of the nervous system can ultimately result in widespread degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinan Zhou
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junho Kim
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - August Yue Huang
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Nolan
- Department of Neurology, The Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junseok Park
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Doan
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Taehwan Shin
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael B. Miller
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Chhouk
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine Morillo
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Yeh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Connor Kenny
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Neil
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chao-Zong Lee
- Department of Neurology, The Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Takuya Ohkubo
- Department of Neurology, Yokohama City Minato Red Cross Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olaf Ansorge
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Lyle W. Ostrow
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne
- Department of Neurology, The Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eunjung Alice Lee
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher A. Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Todd TW, Shao W, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L. The endolysosomal pathway and ALS/FTD. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:1025-1041. [PMID: 37827960 PMCID: PMC10841821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are considered to be part of a disease spectrum that is associated with causative mutations and risk variants in a wide range of genes. Mounting evidence indicates that several of these genes are linked to the endolysosomal system, highlighting the importance of this pathway in ALS/FTD. Although many studies have focused on how disruption of this pathway impacts on autophagy, recent findings reveal that this may not be the whole picture: specifically, disrupting autophagy may not be sufficient to induce disease, whereas disrupting the endolysosomal system could represent a crucial pathogenic driver. In this review we discuss the connections between ALS/FTD and the endolysosomal system, including a breakdown of how disease-associated genes are implicated in this pathway. We also explore the potential downstream consequences of disrupting endolysosomal activity in the brain, outside of an effect on autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Kumar R, Malik MZ, Thanaraj TA, Bagabir SA, Haque S, Tambuwala M, Haider S. A computational biology approach to identify potential protein biomarkers and drug targets for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell Signal 2023; 112:110915. [PMID: 37838312 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110915] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. The sporadic ALS (sALS) is a multigenic disorder and the complex mechanisms underlying its onset are still not fully delineated. Despite the recent scientific advancements, certain aspects of ALS pathogenic targets need to be yet clarified. The aim of the presented study is to identify potential genetic biomarkers and drug targets for sALS, by analysing gene expression profiles, presented in the publicly available GSE68605 dataset, of motor neurons cells obtained from sALS patients. We used different computational approaches including differential expression analysis, protein network mapping, candidate protein biomarker (CPB) identification, elucidation of the role of functional modules, and molecular docking analysis. The resultant top ten up- and downregulated genes were further used to construct protein-protein interaction network (PPIN). The PPIN analysis resulted in identifying four CPBs (namely RIOK2, AKT1, CTNNB1, and TNF) that commonly overlapped with one another in network parameters (degree, bottleneck and maximum neighbourhood component). The RIOK2 protein emerged as a potential mediator of top five functional modules that are associated with RNA binding, lipoprotein particle receptor binding in pre-ribosome, and interferon, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis revealed that cyclosporine exhibited the highest binding affinity (-8.6 kJ/mol) with RIOK2, and surpassed the FDA-approved ALS drugs, such as riluzole and edaravone. This suggested that cyclosporine may serve as a promising candidate for targeting RIOK2 downregulation observed in sALS patients. In order to validate our computational results, it is suggested that in vitro and in vivo studies may be conducted in future to provide a more detailed understanding of ALS diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, Sec-62, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Md Zubbair Malik
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, P.O. Box 1180, Kuwait city 15462, Kuwait.
| | - Thangavel Alphonse Thanaraj
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, P.O. Box 1180, Kuwait city 15462, Kuwait.
| | - Sali Abubaker Bagabir
- Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Murtaza Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
| | - Shazia Haider
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia University, New Delhi 110025, India.
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7
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Genin EC, Abou-Ali M, Paquis-Flucklinger V. Mitochondria, a Key Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1981. [PMID: 38002924 PMCID: PMC10671245 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where it contributes to motor neuron (MN) death. Of all the factors involved in ALS, mitochondria have been considered as a major player, as secondary mitochondrial dysfunction has been found in various models and patients. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology, defects in mitochondrial dynamics, altered activities of respiratory chain enzymes and increased production of reactive oxygen species have been described. Moreover, the identification of CHCHD10 variants in ALS patients was the first genetic evidence that a mitochondrial defect may be a primary cause of MN damage and directly links mitochondrial dysfunction to the pathogenesis of ALS. In this review, we focus on the role of mitochondria in ALS and highlight the pathogenic variants of ALS genes associated with impaired mitochondrial functions. The multiple pathways demonstrated in ALS pathogenesis suggest that all converge to a common endpoint leading to MN loss. This may explain the disappointing results obtained with treatments targeting a single pathological process. Fighting against mitochondrial dysfunction appears to be a promising avenue for developing combined therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle C. Genin
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm U1081, CNRS UMR7284, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nice, 06200 Nice, France; (M.A.-A.); (V.P.-F.)
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8
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Verma M, Chopra M, Kumar H. Unraveling the Potential of EphA4: A Breakthrough Target and Beacon of Hope for Neurological Diseases. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3375-3391. [PMID: 37477786 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01390-0] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A4 (EphA4) is a transmembrane receptor protein which is a part of the most prominent family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). It serves a crucial role in both physiological, biological, and functional states binding with their ligand like Ephrins. Its abundance in the majority of the body's systems has been reported. Moreover, it draws much attention in the CNS since it influences axonal and vascular guidance. Also, it has a widespread role at the pathological state of various CNS disorders. Reports suggest it obstructs axonal regeneration in various neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders. Although, neuro-regeneration is still an open challenge to the modern drug discovery community. Hence, in this review, we will provide information about the role of EphA4 in neurological diseases by which it may emerge as a therapeutic target for CNS disease. We will also provide a glance at numerous signaling pathways that activate or inhibit the EphA4-associated biological processes contributing to the course of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this work might serve as a basis for futuristic studies that are related to the target-based drug discovery in the field of neuro-regeneration. Pathological and physiological events associated with EphA4 and Ephrin upregulation and interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Verma
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Manjeet Chopra
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India.
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9
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Bodin A, Greibill L, Gouju J, Letournel F, Pozzi S, Julien JP, Renaud L, Bohl D, Millecamps S, Verny C, Cassereau J, Lenaers G, Chevrollier A, Tassin AM, Codron P. Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 is enriched at the centrosome in human cells. Brain 2023; 146:3624-3633. [PMID: 37410912 PMCID: PMC10473568 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The centrosome, as the main microtubule organizing centre, plays key roles in cell polarity, genome stability and ciliogenesis. The recent identification of ribosomes, RNA-binding proteins and transcripts at the centrosome suggests local protein synthesis. In this context, we hypothesized that TDP-43, a highly conserved RNA binding protein involved in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, could be enriched at this organelle. Using dedicated high magnification sub-diffraction microscopy on human cells, we discovered a novel localization of TDP-43 at the centrosome during all phases of the cell cycle. These results were confirmed on purified centrosomes by western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. In addition, the co-localization of TDP-43 and pericentrin suggested a pericentriolar enrichment of the protein, leading us to hypothesize that TDP-43 might interact with local mRNAs and proteins. Supporting this hypothesis, we found four conserved centrosomal mRNAs and 16 centrosomal proteins identified as direct TDP-43 interactors. More strikingly, all the 16 proteins are implicated in the pathophysiology of TDP-43 proteinopathies, suggesting that TDP-43 dysfunction in this organelle contributes to neurodegeneration. This first description of TDP-43 centrosomal enrichment paves the way for a more comprehensive understanding of TDP-43 physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Bodin
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
- Neurobiology and neuropathology, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Logan Greibill
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Julien Gouju
- Neurobiology and neuropathology, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Franck Letournel
- Neurobiology and neuropathology, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Silvia Pozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Laval, Québec City, Qc G1V 0A6, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Qc G1E 1T2, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Laval, Québec City, Qc G1V 0A6, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Qc G1E 1T2, Canada
| | - Laurence Renaud
- Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc H3C 3J7, Canada
- Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Delphine Bohl
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Millecamps
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Christophe Verny
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
- Department of Neurology, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Julien Cassereau
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
- Department of Neurology, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Guy Lenaers
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
- Department of Neurology, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Arnaud Chevrollier
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
| | - Anne-Marie Tassin
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Codron
- Univ Angers, Equipe MitoLab, Unité MitoVasc, Inserm U1083, CNRS 6015, SFR ICAT, 49100 Angers, France
- Neurobiology and neuropathology, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
- Department of Neurology, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University-Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
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10
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Mann JR, McKenna ED, Mawrie D, Papakis V, Alessandrini F, Anderson EN, Mayers R, Ball HE, Kaspi E, Lubinski K, Baron DM, Tellez L, Landers JE, Pandey UB, Kiskinis E. Loss of function of the ALS-associated NEK1 kinase disrupts microtubule homeostasis and nuclear import. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi5548. [PMID: 37585529 PMCID: PMC10431718 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function variants in NIMA-related kinase 1 (NEK1) constitute a major genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), accounting for 2 to 3% of all cases. However, how NEK1 mutations cause motor neuron (MN) dysfunction is unknown. Using mass spectrometry analyses for NEK1 interactors and NEK1-dependent expression changes, we find functional enrichment for proteins involved in the microtubule cytoskeleton and nucleocytoplasmic transport. We show that α-tubulin and importin-β1, two key proteins involved in these processes, are phosphorylated by NEK1 in vitro. NEK1 is essential for motor control and survival in Drosophila models in vivo, while using several induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-MN models, including NEK1 knockdown, kinase inhibition, and a patient mutation, we find evidence for disruptions in microtubule homeostasis and nuclear import. Notably, stabilizing microtubules with two distinct classes of drugs restored NEK1-dependent deficits in both pathways. The capacity of NEK1 to modulate these processes that are critically involved in ALS pathophysiology renders this kinase a formidable therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Mann
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. McKenna
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Vasileios Papakis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Francesco Alessandrini
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eric N. Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Ryan Mayers
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hannah E. Ball
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evan Kaspi
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katherine Lubinski
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Desiree M. Baron
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Liana Tellez
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John E. Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Udai B. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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11
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Duperron MG, Knol MJ, Le Grand Q, Evans TE, Mishra A, Tsuchida A, Roshchupkin G, Konuma T, Trégouët DA, Romero JR, Frenzel S, Luciano M, Hofer E, Bourgey M, Dueker ND, Delgado P, Hilal S, Tankard RM, Dubost F, Shin J, Saba Y, Armstrong NJ, Bordes C, Bastin ME, Beiser A, Brodaty H, Bülow R, Carrera C, Chen C, Cheng CY, Deary IJ, Gampawar PG, Himali JJ, Jiang J, Kawaguchi T, Li S, Macalli M, Marquis P, Morris Z, Muñoz Maniega S, Miyamoto S, Okawa M, Paradise M, Parva P, Rundek T, Sargurupremraj M, Schilling S, Setoh K, Soukarieh O, Tabara Y, Teumer A, Thalamuthu A, Trollor JN, Valdés Hernández MC, Vernooij MW, Völker U, Wittfeld K, Wong TY, Wright MJ, Zhang J, Zhao W, Zhu YC, Schmidt H, Sachdev PS, Wen W, Yoshida K, Joutel A, Satizabal CL, Sacco RL, Bourque G, Lathrop M, Paus T, Fernandez-Cadenas I, Yang Q, Mazoyer B, Boutinaud P, Okada Y, Grabe HJ, Mather KA, Schmidt R, Joliot M, Ikram MA, Matsuda F, Tzourio C, Wardlaw JM, Seshadri S, Adams HHH, Debette S. Genomics of perivascular space burden unravels early mechanisms of cerebral small vessel disease. Nat Med 2023; 29:950-962. [PMID: 37069360 PMCID: PMC10115645 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02268-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Perivascular space (PVS) burden is an emerging, poorly understood, magnetic resonance imaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of stroke and dementia. Genome-wide association studies in up to 40,095 participants (18 population-based cohorts, 66.3 ± 8.6 yr, 96.9% European ancestry) revealed 24 genome-wide significant PVS risk loci, mainly in the white matter. These were associated with white matter PVS already in young adults (N = 1,748; 22.1 ± 2.3 yr) and were enriched in early-onset leukodystrophy genes and genes expressed in fetal brain endothelial cells, suggesting early-life mechanisms. In total, 53% of white matter PVS risk loci showed nominally significant associations (27% after multiple-testing correction) in a Japanese population-based cohort (N = 2,862; 68.3 ± 5.3 yr). Mendelian randomization supported causal associations of high blood pressure with basal ganglia and hippocampal PVS, and of basal ganglia PVS and hippocampal PVS with stroke, accounting for blood pressure. Our findings provide insight into the biology of PVS and cerebral small vessel disease, pointing to pathways involving extracellular matrix, membrane transport and developmental processes, and the potential for genetically informed prioritization of drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Gabrielle Duperron
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maria J Knol
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Quentin Le Grand
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tavia E Evans
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aniket Mishra
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ami Tsuchida
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
- Groupe d'Imagerie Neurofonctionelle - Institut des maladies neurodégénératives (GIN-IMN), UMR 5293, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, Bordeaux, France
| | - Gennady Roshchupkin
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Takahiro Konuma
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jose Rafael Romero
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Stefan Frenzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Edith Hofer
- Clinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mathieu Bourgey
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicole D Dueker
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Pilar Delgado
- Institut de Recerca Vall d'hebron, Neurovascular Research Lab, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Neurology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Saima Hilal
- Memory Aging and Cognition Center, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rick M Tankard
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Florian Dubost
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jean Shin
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Physiology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yasaman Saba
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
- Institute for Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicola J Armstrong
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Constance Bordes
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alexa Beiser
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dementia Collaborative Research Centre Assessment and Better Care, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robin Bülow
- Institute for Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Caty Carrera
- Stroke Pharmacogenomics and Genetics Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christopher Chen
- Memory Aging and Cognition Center, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Innovation and Precision Eye Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ian J Deary
- School of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Piyush G Gampawar
- Institute for Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jayandra J Himali
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jiyang Jiang
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Takahisa Kawaguchi
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuo Li
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Macalli
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pascale Marquis
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zoe Morris
- Neuroimaging, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana Muñoz Maniega
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Masakazu Okawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Matthew Paradise
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pedram Parva
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Radiology Department, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Sabrina Schilling
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Kazuya Setoh
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Public Health, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Omar Soukarieh
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yasuharu Tabara
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Public Health, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Alexander Teumer
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anbupalam Thalamuthu
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julian N Trollor
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maria C Valdés Hernández
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Meike W Vernooij
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Uwe Völker
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Wittfeld
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Junyi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wanting Zhao
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- The Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi-Cheng Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Helena Schmidt
- Institute for Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center (for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wei Wen
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kazumichi Yoshida
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Anne Joutel
- Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, France
| | - Claudia L Satizabal
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ralph L Sacco
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark Lathrop
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tomas Paus
- University of Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Israel Fernandez-Cadenas
- Stroke Pharmacogenomics and Genetics Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
- Stroke Pharmacogenomics and Genetics Group, Fundació per la Docència i la Recerca Mutua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Qiong Yang
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bernard Mazoyer
- Groupe d'Imagerie Neurofonctionelle - Institut des maladies neurodégénératives (GIN-IMN), UMR 5293, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Yukinori Okada
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Statistical Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hans J Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karen A Mather
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Reinhold Schmidt
- Clinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Marc Joliot
- Groupe d'Imagerie Neurofonctionelle - Institut des maladies neurodégénératives (GIN-IMN), UMR 5293, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fumihiko Matsuda
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Christophe Tzourio
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Medical Informatics, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hieab H H Adams
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Latin American Brain Health (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Stéphanie Debette
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux, France.
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
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12
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Genetic landscape of ALS in Malta based on a quinquennial analysis. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 123:200-207. [PMID: 36549973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is highly elevated in genetic isolates, like the island population of Malta in the south of Europe, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetics of this disease. Here we characterize the clinical phenotype and genetic profile of the largest series of Maltese ALS patients to date identified throughout a 5-year window. Cases and controls underwent neuromuscular assessment and analysis of rare variants in ALS causative or risk genes following whole-genome sequencing. Potentially damaging variants or repeat expansions were identified in more than 45% of all patients. The most commonly affected genes were ALS2, DAO, SETX and SPG11, an infrequent cause of ALS in Europeans. We also confirmed a significant association between ATXN1 intermediate repeats and increased disease risk. Damaging variants in major ALS genes C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP and FUS were however either absent or rare in Maltese ALS patients. Overall, our study underscores a population that is an outlier within Europe and one that represents a high percentage of genetically explained cases.
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13
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Suzuki N, Nishiyama A, Warita H, Aoki M. Genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: seeking therapeutic targets in the era of gene therapy. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:131-152. [PMID: 35691950 PMCID: PMC9968660 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an intractable disease that causes respiratory failure leading to mortality. The main locus of ALS is motor neurons. The success of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a motor neuron disease, has triggered a paradigm shift in developing ALS therapies. The causative genes of ALS and disease-modifying genes, including those of sporadic ALS, have been identified one after another. Thus, the freedom of target choice for gene therapy has expanded by ASO strategy, leading to new avenues for therapeutic development. Tofersen for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was a pioneer in developing ASO for ALS. Improving protocols and devising early interventions for the disease are vital. In this review, we updated the knowledge of causative genes in ALS. We summarized the genetic mutations identified in familial ALS and their clinical features, focusing on SOD1, fused in sarcoma (FUS), and transacting response DNA-binding protein. The frequency of the C9ORF72 mutation is low in Japan, unlike in Europe and the United States, while SOD1 and FUS are more common, indicating that the target mutations for gene therapy vary by ethnicity. A genome-wide association study has revealed disease-modifying genes, which could be the novel target of gene therapy. The current status and prospects of gene therapy development were discussed, including ethical issues. Furthermore, we discussed the potential of axonal pathology as new therapeutic targets of ALS from the perspective of early intervention, including intra-axonal transcription factors, neuromuscular junction disconnection, dysregulated local translation, abnormal protein degradation, mitochondrial pathology, impaired axonal transport, aberrant cytoskeleton, and axon branching. We simultaneously discuss important pathological states of cell bodies: persistent stress granules, disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport, and cryptic splicing. The development of gene therapy based on the elucidation of disease-modifying genes and early intervention in molecular pathology is expected to become an important therapeutic strategy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ayumi Nishiyama
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
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14
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Daneshmandpour Y, Bahmanpour Z, Kazeminasab S, Aghaei Moghadam E, Alehabib E, Chapi M, Tafakhori A, Aghaei N, Darvish H, Emamalizadeh B. A novel mutation in the ALS2 gene in an iranian kurdish family with juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:148-151. [PMID: 35852402 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2100263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare disorder that affects both upper and lower motor neurons. Mutations in Alsin Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (ALS2) correlates with three similar but distinctive syndromes, including the juvenile form of ALS. An Iranian Kurdish family was involved in this study and all members were evaluated with relevant clinical guidelines. Whole exome sequencing and sanger sequencing were applied to all family members to undermine the possible genetic factors. A substitution c. 2110 C>T (p. Arg704X) identified in the ALS2 gene. Bioinformatics analysis indicated the mutation is located in the well-conserved and functional domain of the protein. This study recognized a novel mutation in the ALS2 gene in a proband with the juvenile form of ALS. To our knowledge, this is the first identified ALS2 mutation among the Iranian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Daneshmandpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cytogene Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Bahmanpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Aghaei Moghadam
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Alehabib
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Chapi
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Tafakhori
- Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Aghaei
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Darvish
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Babak Emamalizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cytogene Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Udine E, Jain A, van Blitterswijk M. Advances in sequencing technologies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:4. [PMID: 36635726 PMCID: PMC9838075 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by upper and lower motor neuron loss and has a fairly rapid disease progression, leading to fatality in an average of 2-5 years after symptom onset. Numerous genes have been implicated in this disease; however, many cases remain unexplained. Several technologies are being used to identify regions of interest and investigate candidate genes. Initial approaches to detect ALS genes include, among others, linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, and genome-wide association studies. More recently, next-generation sequencing methods, such as whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, have been introduced. While those methods have been particularly useful in discovering new ALS-linked genes, methodological advances are becoming increasingly important, especially given the complex genetics of ALS. Novel sequencing technologies, like long-read sequencing, are beginning to be used to uncover the contribution of repeat expansions and other types of structural variation, which may help explain missing heritability in ALS. In this review, we discuss how popular and/or upcoming methods are being used to discover ALS genes, highlighting emerging long-read sequencing platforms and their role in aiding our understanding of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Udine
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Angita Jain
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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16
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Sato K, Suzuki-Utsunomiya K, Mitsui S, Ono S, Shimakura K, Otomo A, Hadano S. Central nervous system specific high molecular weight ALS2/alsin homophilic complex is enriched in mouse brain synaptosomes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 638:168-175. [PMID: 36459881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.11.061] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
ALS2/alsin, the causative gene product for a number of juvenile recessive motor neuron diseases, acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab5, regulating early endosome trafficking and maturation. It has been demonstrated that ALS2 forms a tetramer, and this oligomerization is essential for its GEF activity and endosomal localization in established cancer cells. However, despite that ALS2 deficiency is implicated in neurological diseases, neither the subcellular distribution of ALS2 nor the form of its complex in the central nervous system (CNS) has been investigated. In this study, we showed that ALS2 in the brain was enriched both in synaptosomal and cytosolic fractions, while those in the liver were almost exclusively present in cytosolic fraction by differential centrifugation. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that cytosolic ALS2 prepared both from the brain and liver formed a tetramer. Remarkably, synaptosomal ALS2 existed as a high-molecular weight complex in addition to a tetramer. Such complex was also observed not only in embryonic brain but also several neuronal and glial cultures, but not in fibroblast-derived cell lines. Thus, the high-molecular weight ALS2 complex represents a unique form of ALS2-homophilic oligomers in the CNS, which may play a role in the maintenance of neural function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sato
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan
| | - Kyoko Suzuki-Utsunomiya
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan
| | - Shun Mitsui
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan
| | - Suzuka Ono
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan
| | - Kento Shimakura
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan
| | - Asako Otomo
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan; Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1292, Japan
| | - Shinji Hadano
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259- 1193, Japan; Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1292, Japan; The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
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17
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Chakraborty A, Diwan A. Biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. AIMS Neurosci 2022; 9:423-443. [PMID: 36660079 PMCID: PMC9826749 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2022023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in adults involving non-demyelinating motor disorders. About 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, while 10-12% of cases are due to some genetic reasons. Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), TAR, c9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72) and VAPB genes are commonly found in ALS patients. Therefore, the mechanism of ALS development involves oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, glutamate excitotoxicity and aggregation of proteins, neuro-inflammation and defective RNA function. Cholesterol and LDL/HDL levels are also associated with ALS development. As a result, sterols could be a suitable biomarker for this ailment. The main mechanisms of ALS development are reticulum stress, neuroinflammation and RNA metabolism. The multi-nature development of ALS makes it more challenging to pinpoint a treatment.
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18
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Tedesco B, Ferrari V, Cozzi M, Chierichetti M, Casarotto E, Pramaggiore P, Mina F, Piccolella M, Cristofani R, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Galbiati M, Poletti A. The role of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in motor neuron diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1489-1503. [PMID: 36111809 PMCID: PMC9704526 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) include a broad group of diseases in which neurodegeneration mainly affects upper and/or lower motor neurons (MNs). Although the involvement of specific MNs, symptoms, age of onset, and progression differ in MNDs, the main pathogenic mechanism common to most MNDs is represented by proteostasis alteration and proteotoxicity. This pathomechanism may be directly related to mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in the protein quality control system, particularly the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP). Alternatively, proteostasis alteration can be caused by aberrant proteins that tend to misfold and to aggregate, two related processes that, over time, cannot be properly handled by the ALP. Here, we summarize the main ALP features, focusing on different routes utilized to deliver substrates to the lysosome and how the various ALP pathways intersect with the intracellular trafficking of membranes and vesicles. Next, we provide an overview of the mutated genes that have been found associated with MNDs, how these gene products are involved in different steps of ALP and related processes. Finally, we discuss how autophagy can be considered a valid therapeutic target for MNDs treatment focusing on traditional autophagy modulators and on emerging approaches to overcome their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Pramaggiore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Mina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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19
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Drosophila melanogaster as a Tool for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:jdb10030036. [PMID: 36135369 PMCID: PMC9505035 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable animal model systems are an integral part of biological research. Ever since Thomas Hunt Morgan won a Nobel Prize for genetic work done using the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model organism, it has played a larger and more important role in genetic research. Drosophila models have long been used to study neurodegenerative diseases and have aided in identifying key disease progression biological pathways. Due to the availability of a vast array of genetic manipulation tools, its relatively short lifespan, and its ability to produce many progenies, D. melanogaster has provided the ability to conduct large-scale genetic screens to elucidate possible genetic and molecular interactions in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). With regards to ALS, many of the gene mutations that have been discovered to be linked to the disease have been modeled in Drosophila to provide a look into a detailed model of pathogenesis. The aim of this review is to summarize key and newer developments in ALS research that have utilized Drosophila and to provide insight into the profound use of Drosophila as a tool for modeling this disease.
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20
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Cozzi M, Ferrari V. Autophagy Dysfunction in ALS: from Transport to Protein Degradation. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1456-1481. [PMID: 35708843 PMCID: PMC9293831 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). Since the identification of the first ALS mutation in 1993, more than 40 genes have been associated with the disorder. The most frequent genetic causes of ALS are represented by mutated genes whose products challenge proteostasis, becoming unable to properly fold and consequently aggregating into inclusions that impose proteotoxic stress on affected cells. In this context, increasing evidence supports the central role played by autophagy dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of ALS. Indeed, in early stages of disease, high levels of proteins involved in autophagy are present in ALS MNs; but at the same time, with neurodegeneration progression, autophagy-mediated degradation decreases, often as a result of the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in affected cells. Autophagy is a complex multistep pathway that has a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Several proteins are involved in its tight regulation, and importantly a relevant fraction of ALS-related genes encodes products that directly take part in autophagy, further underlining the relevance of this key protein degradation system in disease onset and progression. In this review, we report the most relevant findings concerning ALS genes whose products are involved in the several steps of the autophagic pathway, from phagophore formation to autophagosome maturation and transport and finally to substrate degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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21
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Multiple roles for the cytoskeleton in ALS. Exp Neurol 2022; 355:114143. [PMID: 35714755 PMCID: PMC10163623 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by more than sixty genes identified through classic linkage analysis and new sequencing methods. Yet no clear mechanism of onset, cure, or effective treatment is known. Popular discourse classifies the proteins encoded from ALS-related genes into four disrupted processes: proteostasis, mitochondrial function and ROS, nucleic acid regulation, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Surprisingly, the mechanisms detailing the contribution of the neuronal cytoskeletal in ALS are the least explored, despite involvement in these cell processes. Eight genes directly regulate properties of cytoskeleton function and are essential for the health and survival of motor neurons, including: TUBA4A, SPAST, KIF5A, DCTN1, NF, PRPH, ALS2, and PFN1. Here we review the properties and studies exploring the contribution of each of these genes to ALS.
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22
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Houghton OH, Mizielinska S, Gomez-Suaga P. The Interplay Between Autophagy and RNA Homeostasis: Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:838402. [PMID: 35573690 PMCID: PMC9096704 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.838402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that lie on a disease spectrum, sharing genetic causes and pathology, and both without effective therapeutics. Two pathways that have been shown to play major roles in disease pathogenesis are autophagy and RNA homeostasis. Intriguingly, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a critical interplay between these pathways. Autophagy is a multi-stage process for bulk and selective clearance of malfunctional cellular components, with many layers of regulation. Although the majority of autophagy research focuses on protein degradation, it can also mediate RNA catabolism. ALS/FTD-associated proteins are involved in many stages of autophagy and autophagy-mediated RNA degradation, particularly converging on the clearance of persistent pathological stress granules. In this review, we will summarise the progress in understanding the autophagy-RNA homeostasis interplay and how that knowledge contributes to our understanding of the pathobiology of ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H Houghton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Mizielinska
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
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23
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Abstract
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and a complex, heterogeneous condition. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on monogenic and multifactorial forms of stroke, highlighting recent insight into the continuum between these. We describe how, in recent years, large-scale genome-wide association studies have enabled major progress in deciphering the genetic basis for stroke and its subtypes, although more research is needed to interpret these findings. We cover the potential of stroke genetics to reveal novel pathophysiological processes underlying stroke, to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic approaches, and to identify individuals in the population who are at high risk of stroke and could be targeted for tailored preventative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Debette
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Inserm U1219, University of Bordeaux, France (S.D.).,Department of Neurology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, France (S.D.)
| | - Hugh S Markus
- Stroke Research Group, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (H.S.M.)
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24
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Chavda V, Patel C, Modh D, Ertas YN, Sonak SS, Munshi NK, Anand K, Soni A, Pandey S. Therapeutic Approaches to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis from the Lab to the Clinic. Curr Drug Metab 2022; 23:200-222. [PMID: 35272595 DOI: 10.2174/1389200223666220310113110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neuro-degenerative disorder that is clinically recognized as a gradual degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons, with an average duration of 3 to 5 years from initiation of symptoms to death. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of the disease are multifactorial. Therefore, to find effective treatments, it is necessary to understand this heterogeneity underlying the progression of ALS. Recent developments in gene therapy have opened a new avenue to treat this condition, especially for the characterized genetic types. Gene therapy methods have been studied in a variety of pre-clinical settings and clinical trials, and they may be a promising path for developing an effective and safe ALS cure. A growing body of evidence demonstrates abnormalities in energy metabolism at the cellular and whole-body level in animal models and in people living with ALS. The use and incorporation of high-throughput "omics" methods has radically transformed our thought about ALS, strengthening our understanding of the disease's dynamic molecular architecture, differentiating distinct patient subtypes, and creating a reasonable basis for the identification of biomarkers and novel individualised treatments. Future clinical and laboratory trials would also focus on the diverse relationships between metabolism and ALS to address the issue of whether targeting deficient metabolism in ALS is an effective way to change disease progression. In this review, we focus on the detailed pathogenesis of ALS and highlight principal genes, i.e., SOD1, TDP-43, C9orf72, and FUS, targeted therapeutic approaches of ALS. An attempt is made to provide up-to-date information on clinical outcomes, including various biomarkers which are thought to be important players in early ALS detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutic, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Chirag Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Dharti Modh
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- ERNAM - Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Shreya S Sonak
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Nafisa K Munshi
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Krishna Anand
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences and National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Arun Soni
- Department of Pharmacology, SSR College of Pharmacy, Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli - 396230(India)
| | - Sonal Pandey
- Research and Development, Meril Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd, Vapi - 396191 (India)
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25
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Todd TW, Petrucelli L. Modelling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in rodents. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:231-251. [PMID: 35260846 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00564-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The efficient study of human disease requires the proper tools, one of the most crucial of which is an accurate animal model that faithfully recapitulates the human condition. The study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is no exception. Although the majority of ALS cases are considered sporadic, most animal models of this disease rely on genetic mutations identified in familial cases. Over the past decade, the number of genes associated with ALS has risen dramatically and, with each new genetic variant, there is a drive to develop associated animal models. Rodent models are of particular importance as they allow for the study of ALS in the context of a living mammal with a comparable CNS. Such models not only help to verify the pathogenicity of novel mutations but also provide critical insight into disease mechanisms and are crucial for the testing of new therapeutics. In this Review, we aim to summarize the full spectrum of ALS rodent models developed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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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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2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Italian ALS Patients with Novel ALS2 Mutations: Identification of Key Metabolites in Their Serum and Plasma. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12020174. [PMID: 35208248 PMCID: PMC8878019 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in ALS2 have been detected mostly in juvenile cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), affecting mainly children and teenagers. Patients with ALS2 mutations demonstrate early onset cortical involvement in ALS. Currently, there are no effective treatment options. There is an immense need to reveal the underlying causes of the disease and to identify potential biomarkers. To shed light onto the metabolomic events that are perturbed with respect to ALS2 mutations, we investigated the metabolites present in the serum and plasma of a three-year-old female patient (AO) harboring pathogenic variants in ALS2, together with her relatives, healthy male and female controls, as well as another two-year-old patient DH, who had mutations at different locations and domains of ALS2. Serum and plasma samples were analyzed with a quantitative metabolomic approach to reveal the identity of metabolites present in serum and plasma. This study not only shed light onto the perturbed cellular pathways, but also began to reveal the presence of a distinct set of key metabolites that are selectively present or absent with respect to ALS2 mutations, laying the foundation for utilizing metabolites as potential biomarkers for a subset of ALS.
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Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a leading cause of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke and a major contributor to dementia. Covert cSVD, which is detectable with brain MRI but does not manifest as clinical stroke, is highly prevalent in the general population, particularly with increasing age. Advances in technologies and collaborative work have led to substantial progress in the identification of common genetic variants that are associated with cSVD-related stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) and MRI-defined covert cSVD. In this Review, we provide an overview of collaborative studies - mostly genome-wide association studies (GWAS) - that have identified >50 independent genetic loci associated with the risk of cSVD. We describe how these associations have provided novel insights into the biological mechanisms involved in cSVD, revealed patterns of shared genetic variation across cSVD traits, and shed new light on the continuum between rare, monogenic and common, multifactorial cSVD. We consider how GWAS summary statistics have been leveraged for Mendelian randomization studies to explore causal pathways in cSVD and provide genetic evidence for drug effects, and how the combination of findings from GWAS with gene expression resources and drug target databases has enabled identification of putative causal genes and provided proof-of-concept for drug repositioning potential. We also discuss opportunities for polygenic risk prediction, multi-ancestry approaches and integration with other omics data.
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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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Juvenile Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121935. [PMID: 34946884 PMCID: PMC8701111 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS) is a rare group of motor neuron disorders with gene association in 40% of cases. JALS is defined as onset before age 25. We conducted a literature review of JALS and gene mutations associated with JALS. Results of the literature review show that the most common gene mutations associated with JALS are FUS, SETX, and ALS2. In familial cases, the gene mutations are mostly inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern and mutations in SETX are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Disease prognosis varies from rapidly progressive to an indolent course. Distinct clinical features may emerge with specific gene mutations in addition to the clinical finding of combined upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. In conclusion, patients presenting with combined upper and lower motor neuron disorders before age 25 should be carefully examined for genetic mutations. Hereditary patterns and coexisting features may be useful in determining prognosis.
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Bonifacino T, Zerbo RA, Balbi M, Torazza C, Frumento G, Fedele E, Bonanno G, Milanese M. Nearly 30 Years of Animal Models to Study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212236. [PMID: 34830115 PMCID: PMC8619465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, multigenic, multifactorial, and non-cell autonomous neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron loss. Several genetic mutations lead to ALS development and many emerging gene mutations have been discovered in recent years. Over the decades since 1990, several animal models have been generated to study ALS pathology including both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and non-human primates. Although these models show different peculiarities, they are all useful and complementary to dissect the pathological mechanisms at the basis of motor neuron degeneration and ALS progression, thus contributing to the development of new promising therapeutics. In this review, we describe the up to date and available ALS genetic animal models, classified by the different genetic mutations and divided per species, pointing out their features in modeling, the onset and progression of the pathology, as well as their specific pathological hallmarks. Moreover, we highlight similarities, differences, advantages, and limitations, aimed at helping the researcher to select the most appropriate experimental animal model, when designing a preclinical ALS study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Arianna Zerbo
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Matilde Balbi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Giulia Frumento
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
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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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Wilkinson EC, Starke EL, Barbee SA. Vps54 Regulates Lifespan and Locomotor Behavior in Adult Drosophila melanogaster. Front Genet 2021; 12:762012. [PMID: 34712272 PMCID: PMC8546322 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.762012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vps54 is an integral subunit of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which is involved in tethering endosome-derived vesicles to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). A destabilizing missense mutation in Vps54 causes the age-progressive motor neuron (MN) degeneration, muscle weakness, and muscle atrophy observed in the wobbler mouse, an established animal model for human MN disease. It is currently unclear how the disruption of Vps54, and thereby the GARP complex, leads to MN and muscle phenotypes. To develop a new tool to address this question, we have created an analogous model in Drosophila by generating novel loss-of-function alleles of the fly Vps54 ortholog (scattered/scat). We find that null scat mutant adults are viable but have a significantly shortened lifespan. Like phenotypes observed in the wobbler mouse, we show that scat mutant adults are male sterile and have significantly reduced body size and muscle area. Moreover, we demonstrate that scat mutant adults have significant age-progressive defects in locomotor function. Interestingly, we see sexually dimorphic effects, with scat mutant adult females exhibiting significantly stronger phenotypes. Finally, we show that scat interacts genetically with rab11 in MNs to control age-progressive muscle atrophy in adults. Together, these data suggest that scat mutant flies share mutant phenotypes with the wobbler mouse and may serve as a new genetic model system to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying MN disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Wilkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Emily L Starke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Scott A Barbee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States.,Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
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Ting HC, Yang HI, Harn HJ, Chiu IM, Su HL, Li X, Chen MF, Ho TJ, Liu CA, Tsai YJ, Chiou TW, Lin SZ, Chang CY. Coactivation of GSK3β and IGF-1 Attenuates Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Nerve Fiber Cytopathies in SOD1 Mutant Patient-Derived Motor Neurons. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102773. [PMID: 34685754 PMCID: PMC8535155 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease that causes motor neuron (MN) degeneration and results in patient death within a few years. To recapitulate the cytopathies of ALS patients’ MNs, SOD1G85R mutant and corrected SOD1G85G isogenic-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were established. Two SOD1 mutant ALS (SOD1G85R and SOD1D90A), two SOD1 mutant corrected (SOD1G85G and SOD1D90D), and one sporadic ALS iPSC lines were directed toward MNs. After receiving ~90% purity for MNs, we first demonstrated that SOD1G85R mutant ALS MNs recapitulated ALS-specific nerve fiber aggregates, similar to SOD1D90A ALS MNs in a previous study. Moreover, we found that both SOD1 mutant MNs showed ALS-specific neurite degenerations and neurotransmitter-induced calcium hyperresponsiveness. In a small compound test using these MNs, we demonstrated that gastrodin, a major ingredient of Gastrodia elata, showed therapeutic effects that decreased nerve fiber cytopathies and reverse neurotransmitter-induced hyperresponsiveness. The therapeutic effects of gastrodin applied not only to SOD1 ALS MNs but also to sporadic ALS MNs and SOD1G93A ALS mice. Moreover, we found that coactivation of the GSK3β and IGF-1 pathways was a mechanism involved in the therapeutic effects of gastrodin. Thus, the coordination of compounds that activate these two mechanisms could reduce nerve fiber cytopathies in SOD1 ALS MNs. Interestingly, the therapeutic role of GSK3β activation on SOD1 ALS MNs in the present study was in contrast to the role previously reported in research using cell line- or transgenic animal-based models. In conclusion, we identified in vitro ALS-specific nerve fiber and neurofunctional markers in MNs, which will be useful for drug screening, and we used an iPSC-based model to reveal novel therapeutic mechanisms (including GSK3β and IGF-1 activation) that may serve as potential targets for ALS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Chien Ting
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
| | - Hui-I Yang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
- Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Ing-Ming Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan;
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan;
| | - Xiang Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Mei-Fang Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan;
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ann Liu
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan;
- Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Jen Tsai
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97441, Taiwan;
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-Z.L.); (C.-Y.C.); Tel.: +886-3-856-1825 (ext. 13201) (S.-Z.L.); +886-3-856-1825 (ext. 12106) (C.-Y.C.)
| | - Chia-Yu Chang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan; (H.-C.T.); (H.-I.Y.); (H.-J.H.); (C.-A.L.); (Y.-J.T.)
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan;
- Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-Z.L.); (C.-Y.C.); Tel.: +886-3-856-1825 (ext. 13201) (S.-Z.L.); +886-3-856-1825 (ext. 12106) (C.-Y.C.)
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Current Concepts on Genetic Aspects of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189832. [PMID: 34575995 PMCID: PMC8469731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder is characterized as multisystem disease with important contribution of genetic factors. The etiopahogenesis of ALS is not fully elucidate, but the dominant theory at present relates to RNA processing, as well as protein aggregation and miss-folding, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation. Additionally, as mitochondria plays a leading role in cellular homeostasis maintenance, a rising amount of evidence indicates mitochondrial dysfunction as a substantial contributor to disease onset and progression. The aim of this review is to summarize most relevant findings that link genetic factors in ALS pathogenesis with different mechanisms with mitochondrial involvement (respiratory chain, OXPHOS control, calcium buffering, axonal transport, inflammation, mitophagy, etc.). We highlight the importance of a widening perspective for better understanding overlapping pathophysiological pathways in ALS and neurodegeneration in general. Finally, current and potentially novel therapies, especially gene specific therapies, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction are discussed briefly.
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Corbet GA, Wheeler JR, Parker R, Weskamp K. TDP43 ribonucleoprotein granules: physiologic function to pathologic aggregates. RNA Biol 2021; 18:128-138. [PMID: 34412568 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1963099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assemblies are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and have functions throughout RNA transcription, splicing, and stability. Of the RNA-binding proteins that form RNPs, TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kD (TDP43) is of particular interest due to its essential nature and its association with disease. TDP43 plays critical roles in RNA metabolism, many of which require its recruitment to RNP granules such as stress granules, myo-granules, and neuronal transport granules. Moreover, the presence of cytoplasmic TDP43-positive inclusions is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the pervasiveness of TDP43 aggregates, TDP43 mutations are exceedingly rare, suggesting that aggregation may be linked to dysregulation of TDP43 function. Oligomerization is a part of normal TDP43 function; thus, it is of interest to understand what triggers the irreversible aggregation that is seen in disease. Herein, we examine TDP43 functions, particularly in RNP granules, and the mechanisms which may explain pathological TDP43 aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ada Corbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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Berdenis van Berlekom A, Notman N, Sneeboer MAM, Snijders GJLJ, Houtepen LC, Nispeling DM, He Y, Dracheva S, Hol EM, Kahn RS, de Witte LD, Boks MP. DNA methylation differences in cortical grey and white matter in schizophrenia. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1157-1169. [PMID: 34323598 PMCID: PMC8386513 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Identify grey- and white-matter-specific DNA-methylation differences between schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and controls in postmortem brain cortical tissue. Materials & methods: Grey and white matter were separated from postmortem brain tissue of the superior temporal and medial frontal gyrus from SCZ (n = 10) and control (n = 11) cases. Genome-wide DNA-methylation analysis was performed using the Infinium EPIC Methylation Array (Illumina, CA, USA). Results: Four differentially methylated regions associated with SCZ status and tissue type (grey vs white matter) were identified within or near KLF9, SFXN1, SPRED2 and ALS2CL genes. Gene-expression analysis showed differential expression of KLF9 and SFXN1 in SCZ. Conclusion: Our data show distinct differences in DNA methylation between grey and white matter that are unique to SCZ, providing new leads to unravel the pathogenesis of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Berdenis van Berlekom
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nina Notman
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein AM Sneeboer
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje JLJ Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Lotte C Houtepen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danny M Nispeling
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yujie He
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stella Dracheva
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education, & Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education, & Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Shimakura K, Sato K, Mitsui S, Ono S, Otomo A, Hadano S. The N-terminal intrinsically disordered region mediates intracellular localization and self-oligomerization of ALS2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 569:106-111. [PMID: 34243065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ALS2, a product of the causative gene for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 2, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of endosome dynamics by activating small GTPase Rab5 via its intrinsic guanine nucleotide-exchange factor activity. Previously, we have reported that the N-terminal region of ALS2 has crucial roles in its endosomal localization and self-oligomerization, both of which are indispensable for the cellular function of ALS2. The N-terminus of ALS2 contains the regulator of chromosome condensation 1-like domain (RLD), which is predicted to form a seven-bladed β-propeller structure. Interestingly, the RLD is interrupted by the intrinsically disordered region (IDR), within which there are several amino acid residues which undergo phosphorylation. In this study, we sought to investigate as to whether and how the IDR as well as phosphorylation at either Ser483, Ser492 or Thr510 affect the intracellular localization and self-oligomerization of ALS2. All phospho- and dephospho-mimetic ALS2 mutants that were transiently expressed in HeLa cells were diffusely distributed throughout the cytosol with a partial localization to early endosomes. When expressed under Rac1-activating conditions, these mutants were localized to membrane ruffles as well as enlarged endosomes. Further, gel-filtration analysis revealed that these mutants primarily existed as a tetramer in cells. However, all these phenotypes were indistinguishable from those of wild-type ALS2. On the other hand, IDR-deleted ALS2 mutant was exclusively present in perinuclear aggregates colocalizing with the autophagy-related protein SQSTM1. Moreover, IDR-deleted ALS2 mutant formed an abnormally high molecular weight complex compared to wild-type ALS2. These results indicate that the IDR of ALS2 plays a crucial role not only in the regulation of intracellular localization but also in the self-oligomerization of ALS2 in cells, whereas phosphorylation of certain residues within the IDR exerts limited effects on such phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kento Shimakura
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Kai Sato
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shun Mitsui
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Suzuka Ono
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Asako Otomo
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan; Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1292, Japan; The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shinji Hadano
- Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan; Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1292, 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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39
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Guiler W, Koehler A, Boykin C, Lu Q. Pharmacological Modulators of Small GTPases of Rho Family in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661612. [PMID: 34054432 PMCID: PMC8149604 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical Rho GTPases, including RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, are members of the Ras small GTPase superfamily and play essential roles in a variety of cellular functions. Rho GTPase signaling can be turned on and off by specific GEFs and GAPs, respectively. These features empower Rho GTPases and their upstream and downstream modulators as targets for scientific research and therapeutic intervention. Specifically, significant therapeutic potential exists for targeting Rho GTPases in neurodegenerative diseases due to their widespread cellular activity and alterations in neural tissues. This study will explore the roles of Rho GTPases in neurodegenerative diseases with focus on the applications of pharmacological modulators in recent discoveries. There have been exciting developments of small molecules, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and natural products and toxins for each classical Rho GTPase category. A brief overview of each category followed by examples in their applications will be provided. The literature on their roles in various diseases [e.g., Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Multiple sclerosis (MS)] highlights the unique and broad implications targeting Rho GTPases for potential therapeutic intervention. Clearly, there is increasing knowledge of therapeutic promise from the discovery of pharmacological modulators of Rho GTPases for managing and treating these conditions. The progress is also accompanied by the recognition of complex Rho GTPase modulation where targeting its signaling can improve some aspects of pathogenesis while exacerbating others in the same disease model. Future directions should emphasize the importance of elucidating how different Rho GTPases work in concert and how they produce such widespread yet different cellular responses during neurodegenerative disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qun Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer’s and Neurogenerative Diseases Research, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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40
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Kim J, Kim S, Nahm M, Li TN, Lin HC, Kim YD, Lee J, Yao CK, Lee S. ALS2 regulates endosomal trafficking, postsynaptic development, and neuronal survival. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:e202007112. [PMID: 33683284 PMCID: PMC7944400 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202007112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human ALS2 gene cause recessive juvenile-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related motor neuron diseases. Although the ALS2 protein has been identified as a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTPase Rab5, its physiological roles remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the Drosophila homologue of ALS2 (dALS2) promotes postsynaptic development by activating the Frizzled nuclear import (FNI) pathway. dALS2 loss causes structural defects in the postsynaptic subsynaptic reticulum (SSR), recapitulating the phenotypes observed in FNI pathway mutants. Consistently, these developmental phenotypes are rescued by postsynaptic expression of the signaling-competent C-terminal fragment of Drosophila Frizzled-2 (dFz2). We further demonstrate that dALS2 directs early to late endosome trafficking and that the dFz2 C terminus is cleaved in late endosomes. Finally, dALS2 loss causes age-dependent progressive defects resembling ALS, including locomotor impairment and brain neurodegeneration, independently of the FNI pathway. These findings establish novel regulatory roles for dALS2 in endosomal trafficking, synaptic development, and neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joohyung Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungdae Kim
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minyeop Nahm
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tsai-Ning Li
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chieh Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yeongjin David Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jihye Lee
- Department of Oral Pathology, Department of Life Science in Dentistry, Dental and Life Science Institute, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Chi-Kuang Yao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Seungbok Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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41
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Amador MDM, Muratet F, Teyssou E, Boillée S, Millecamps S. New advances in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis genetics: Towards gene therapy opportunities for familial and young cases. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 177:524-535. [PMID: 33810837 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.01.008] [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] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to novel gene therapy opportunities, genetic screening is no longer restricted to familial cases of ALS (FALS) cases but also aplies to the sporadic populations (SALS). Screening of four main genes (C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP and FUS) identified the causes in 15% of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients (two third of the familial cases and 8% of the sporadic ones) but their respective contribution to ALS phenotype varies according the age of disease onset. The genetic overlap between ALS and other diseases is expanding and includes frontotemporal dementia, Paget's Disease of Bone, myopathy for adult cases, HSP and CMT for young cases highlighing the importance of retrieving the exhaustive familial history for each indivdual with ALS. Incomplete disease penetrance, diversity of the possible phenotypes, as well as the lack of confidence concerning the pathogenicity of most identified variants and/or possible oligogenic inheritance are burdens of ALS genetic counseling to be delivered to patients and at risk individuals. The multitude of rare ALS genetic causes identifed seems to converge to similar cellular pathways leading to inapropriate response to stress emphacising new potential therapeutic options for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-D-M Amador
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6 UMRS1127, 75013 Paris, France; Département de Neurologie, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Centre de référence SLA Île de France, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - F Muratet
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6 UMRS1127, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - E Teyssou
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6 UMRS1127, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - S Boillée
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6 UMRS1127, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - S Millecamps
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6 UMRS1127, 75013 Paris, France.
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42
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Cong C, Liang W, Zhang C, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang X, Wang S, Huo D, Wang H, Wang D, Feng H. PAK4 suppresses motor neuron degeneration in hSOD1 G93A -linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell and rat models. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13003. [PMID: 33615605 PMCID: PMC8016643 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MN). CREB pathway-mediated inhibition of apoptosis contributes to neuron protection, and PAK4 activates CREB signalling in diverse cell types. This study aimed to investigate PAK4's effect and mechanism of action in ALS. METHODS We analysed RNA levels by qRT-PCR, protein levels by immunofluorescence and Western blotting, and apoptosis by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Cell transfection was performed for in vitro experiment. Mice were injected intraspinally to evaluate PAK4 function in vivo experiment. Rotarod test was performed to measure motor function. RESULTS The expression and activation of PAK4 significantly decreased in the cell and mouse models of ALS as the disease progressed, which was caused by the negative regulation of miR-9-5p. Silencing of PAK4 increased the apoptosis of MN by inhibiting CREB-mediated neuroprotection, whereas overexpression of PAK4 protected MN from hSOD1G93A -induced degeneration by activating CREB signalling. The neuroprotective effect of PAK4 was markedly inhibited by CREB inhibitor. In ALS models, the PAK4/CREB pathway was inhibited, and cell apoptosis increased. In vivo experiments revealed that PAK4 overexpression in the spinal neurons of hSOD1G93A mice suppressed MN degeneration, prolonged survival and promoted the CREB pathway. CONCLUSIONS PAK4 protects MN from degeneration by activating the anti-apoptotic effects of CREB signalling, suggesting it may be a therapeutic target in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaohua Cong
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yueqing Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Huo
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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43
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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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44
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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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45
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Borg R, Farrugia Wismayer M, Bonavia K, Farrugia Wismayer A, Vella M, van Vugt JJFA, Kenna BJ, Kenna KP, Vassallo N, Veldink JH, Cauchi RJ. Genetic analysis of ALS cases in the isolated island population of Malta. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:604-614. [PMID: 33414559 PMCID: PMC8115635 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-00767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic isolates are compelling tools for mapping genes of inherited disorders. The archipelago of Malta, a sovereign microstate in the south of Europe is home to a geographically and culturally isolated population. Here, we investigate the epidemiology and genetic profile of Maltese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), identified throughout a 2-year window. Cases were largely male (66.7%) with a predominant spinal onset of symptoms (70.8%). Disease onset occurred around mid-age (median age: 64 years, men; 59.5 years, female); 12.5% had familial ALS (fALS). Annual incidence rate was 2.48 (95% CI 1.59–3.68) per 100,000 person-years. Male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.93:1. Prevalence was 3.44 (95% CI 2.01–5.52) cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 31st December 2018. Whole-genome sequencing allowed us to determine rare DNA variants that change the protein-coding sequence of ALS-associated genes. Interestingly, the Maltese ALS patient cohort was found to be negative for deleterious variants in C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP or FUS genes, which are the most commonly mutated ALS genes globally. Nonetheless, ALS-associated repeat expansions were identified in ATXN2 and NIPA1. Variants predicted to be damaging were also detected in ALS2, DAO, DCTN1, ERBB4, SETX, SCFD1 and SPG11. A total of 40% of patients with sporadic ALS had a rare and deleterious variant or repeat expansion in an ALS-associated gene, whilst the genetic cause of two thirds of fALS cases could not be pinpointed to known ALS genes or risk loci. This warrants further studies to elucidate novel genes that cause ALS in this unique population isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maia Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Karl Bonavia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Andrew Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Malcolm Vella
- Department of Neuroscience, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Joke J F A van Vugt
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brendan J Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. .,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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Pathogenic Genome Signatures That Damage Motor Neurons in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122687. [PMID: 33333804 PMCID: PMC7765192 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent motor neuron disease and a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the upper and/or lower motor neurons. Notably, it invariably leads to death within a few years of onset. Although most ALS cases are sporadic, familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) forms 10% of the cases. In 1993, the first causative gene (SOD1) of fALS was identified. With rapid advances in genetics, over fifty potentially causative or disease-modifying genes have been found in ALS so far. Accordingly, routine diagnostic tests should encompass the oldest and most frequently mutated ALS genes as well as several new important genetic variants in ALS. Herein, we discuss current literatures on the four newly identified ALS-associated genes (CYLD, S1R, GLT8D1, and KIF5A) and the previously well-known ALS genes including SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, and C9orf72. Moreover, we review the pathogenic implications and disease mechanisms of these genes. Elucidation of the cellular and molecular functions of the mutated genes will bring substantial insights for the development of therapeutic approaches to treat ALS.
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47
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Chaineau M, Durcan TM. The Neglected Genes of ALS: Cytoskeletal Dynamics Impact Synaptic Degeneration in ALS. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:594975. [PMID: 33281562 PMCID: PMC7691654 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.594975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that selectively affects motor neurons (MNs) of the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Several genes have been linked to both familial (fALS) and sporadic (sALS) cases of ALS. Among all the ALS-related genes, a group of genes known to directly affect cytoskeletal dynamics (ALS2, DCTN1, PFN1, KIF5A, NF-L, NF-H, PRPH, SPAST, and TUBA4A) is of high importance for MN health and survival, considering that MNs are large polarized cells with axons that can reach up to 1 m in length. In particular, cytoskeletal dynamics facilitate the transport of organelles and molecules across the long axonal distances within the cell, playing a key role in synapse maintenance. The majority of ALS-related genes affecting cytoskeletal dynamics were identified within the past two decades, making it a new area to explore for ALS. The purpose of this review is to provide insights into ALS-associated cytoskeletal genes and outline how recent studies have pointed towards novel pathways that might be impacted in ALS. Further studies making use of extensive analysis models to look for true hits, the newest technologies such as CRIPSR/Cas9, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and axon sequencing, as well as the development of more transgenic animal models could potentially help to: differentiate the variants that truly act as a primary cause of the disease from the ones that act as risk factors or disease modifiers, identify potential interactions between two or more ALS-related genes in disease onset and progression and increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to cytoskeletal defects. Altogether, this information will give us a hint on the real contribution of the cytoskeletal ALS-related genes during this lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD) spectrum disorder is a rare fatal disease with strong genetic influences. The implementation of short-read sequencing methodologies in increasingly large patient cohorts has rapidly expanded our knowledge of the complex genetic architecture of the disease. We aim to convey the broad history of ALS gene discovery as context for a focused review of 11 ALS gene associations reported over the last 5 years. We also summarize the current level of genetic evidence for all previously reported genes.
Recent Findings
The history of ALS gene discovery has occurred in at least four identifiable phases, each powered by different technologies and scale of investigation. The most recent epoch, benefitting from population-scale genome data, large international consortia, and low-cost sequencing, has yielded 11 new gene associations. We summarize the current level of genetic evidence supporting these ALS genes, highlighting any genotype-phenotype or genotype-pathology correlations, and discussing preliminary understanding of molecular pathogenesis. This era has also raised uncertainty around prior ALS-associated genes and clarified the role of others.
Summary
Our understanding of the genetic underpinning of ALS has expanded rapidly over the last 25 years and has led directly to the clinical application of molecularly driven therapies. Ongoing sequencing efforts in ALS will identify new causative and risk factor genes while clarifying the status of genes reported in prior eras of research.
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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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50
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Pensalfini A, Kim S, Subbanna S, Bleiwas C, Goulbourne CN, Stavrides PH, Jiang Y, Lee JH, Darji S, Pawlik M, Huo C, Peddy J, Berg MJ, Smiley JF, Basavarajappa BS, Nixon RA. Endosomal Dysfunction Induced by Directly Overactivating Rab5 Recapitulates Prodromal and Neurodegenerative Features of Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108420. [PMID: 33238112 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal endosomal dysfunction, the earliest known pathobiology specific to Alzheimer's disease (AD), is mediated by the aberrant activation of Rab5 triggered by APP-β secretase cleaved C-terminal fragment (APP-βCTF). To distinguish pathophysiological consequences specific to overactivated Rab5 itself, we activate Rab5 independently from APP-βCTF in the PA-Rab5 mouse model. We report that Rab5 overactivation alone recapitulates diverse prodromal and degenerative features of AD. Modest neuron-specific transgenic Rab5 expression inducing hyperactivation of Rab5 comparable to that in AD brain reproduces AD-related Rab5-endosomal enlargement and mistrafficking, hippocampal synaptic plasticity deficits via accelerated AMPAR endocytosis and dendritic spine loss, and tau hyperphosphorylation via activated glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Importantly, Rab5-mediated endosomal dysfunction induces progressive cholinergic neurodegeneration and impairs hippocampal-dependent memory. Aberrant neuronal Rab5-endosome signaling, therefore, drives a pathogenic cascade distinct from β-amyloid-related neurotoxicity, which includes prodromal and neurodegenerative features of AD, and suggests Rab5 overactivation as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pensalfini
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Seonil Kim
- Colorado State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Shivakumar Subbanna
- Department of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Cynthia Bleiwas
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Chris N Goulbourne
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Philip H Stavrides
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sandipkumar Darji
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Monika Pawlik
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Chunfeng Huo
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - James Peddy
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Martin J Berg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - John F Smiley
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Balapal S Basavarajappa
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ralph A Nixon
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10003, USA; NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY 10003, USA.
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