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Richardson PJ, Smith DP, de Giorgio A, Snetkov X, Almond-Thynne J, Cronin S, Mead RJ, McDermott CJ, Shaw PJ. Janus kinase inhibitors are potential therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:47. [PMID: 37828541 PMCID: PMC10568794 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00380-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a poorly treated multifactorial neurodegenerative disease associated with multiple cell types and subcellular organelles. As with other multifactorial diseases, it is likely that drugs will need to target multiple disease processes and cell types to be effective. We review here the role of Janus kinase (JAK)/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signalling in ALS, confirm the association of this signalling with fundamental ALS disease processes using the BenevolentAI Knowledge Graph, and demonstrate that inhibitors of this pathway could reduce the ALS pathophysiology in neurons, glia, muscle fibres, and blood cells. Specifically, we suggest that inhibition of the JAK enzymes by approved inhibitors known as Jakinibs could reduce STAT3 activation and modify the progress of this disease. Analysis of the Jakinibs highlights baricitinib as a suitable candidate due to its ability to penetrate the central nervous system and exert beneficial effects on the immune system. Therefore, we recommend that this drug be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Cronin
- BenevolentAI, 15 MetroTech Centre, 8th FL, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Richard J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
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Cusenza VY, Bonora E, Amodio N, Frazzi R. Spartin: At the crossroad between ubiquitination and metabolism in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188813. [PMID: 36195276 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
SPART is a gene coding for a multifunctional protein called spartin, localized in various organelles of human cells. Mutations in the coding region are responsible for a hereditary form of spastic paraplegia called Troyer syndrome while the epigenetic silencing has been demonstrated for some types of tumors. The main functions of this gene are associated to endosomic trafficking and receptor degradation, microtubule interaction, cytokinesis, fatty acids and oxidative metabolism. Spartin has been shown to be a target regulated by STAT3 and localizes also at the level of the mitochondrial outer membrane, where it forms part of a complex maintaining the integrity of the membrane potential. The most recent evidences report a downregulation of spartin in tumor tissues when compared to adjacent normal samples. This intriguing evidence supports further research aimed at clarifying the role of this protein in cancer development and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Ylenia Cusenza
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elena Bonora
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raffaele Frazzi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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