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Okada K, Ito D, Morimoto S, Kato C, Oguma Y, Warita H, Suzuki N, Aoki M, Kuramoto J, Kobayashi R, Shinozaki M, Ikawa M, Nakahara J, Takahashi S, Nishimoto Y, Shibata S, Okano H. Multiple lines of evidence for disruption of nuclear lamina and nucleoporins in FUS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024:awae224. [PMID: 39312484 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Advanced pathological and genetic approaches have revealed that mutations in fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS), which is pivotal for DNA repair, alternative splicing, translation and RNA transport, cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The generation of suitable animal models for ALS is essential for understanding its pathogenesis and developing therapies. Therefore, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate FUS-ALS mutation in the non-classical nuclear localization signal (NLS), H517D (mouse position: H509D) and genome-edited mice. Fus WT/H509D mice showed progressive motor impairment (accelerating rotarod and DigiGait system) with age, which was associated with the loss of motor neurons and disruption of the nuclear lamina and nucleoporins and DNA damage in spinal cord motor neurons. We confirmed the validity of our model by showing that nuclear lamina and nucleoporin disruption were observed in lower motor neurons differentiated from patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-LMNs) with FUS-H517D and in the post-mortem spinal cord of patients with ALS. RNA sequence analysis revealed that most nuclear lamina and nucleoporin-linking genes were significantly decreased in FUS-H517D hiPSC-LMNs. This evidence suggests that disruption of the nuclear lamina and nucleoporins is crucial for ALS pathomechanisms. Combined with patient-derived hiPSC-LMNs and autopsy samples, this mouse model might provide a more reliable understanding of ALS pathogenesis and might aid in the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Okada
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
- Memory Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Satoru Morimoto
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Chris Kato
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Yuki Oguma
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Junko Kuramoto
- Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Reona Kobayashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Munehisa Shinozaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jin Nakahara
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
| | - Shinichi Takahashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Nishimoto
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Keio University iPS Cell Research Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases (KiND), Keio University Global Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
- Keio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
- Laboratory for Marmoset Models of Neural Diseases, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
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Al Dera H, AlQahtani B. Molecular mechanisms and antisense oligonucleotide therapies of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102271. [PMID: 39176177 PMCID: PMC11338942 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, presents considerable challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. It is categorized into sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS); the latter accounts for approximately 10% of cases and is primarily inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. This review summarizes the molecular genetics of fALS, highlighting key mutations that contribute to its pathogenesis, such as mutations in SOD1, FUS, and C9orf72. Central to this discourse is exploring antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that target these genetic aberrations, providing a promising therapeutic strategy. This review provides a detailed overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying fALS and the potential therapeutic value of ASOs, offering new insights into treating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Al Dera
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine at King Saud, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bdour AlQahtani
- College of Medicine at King Saud, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Esteban-Hofer L, Emmanouilidis L, Yulikov M, Allain FHT, Jeschke G. Ensemble structure of the N-terminal domain (1-267) of FUS in a biomolecular condensate. Biophys J 2024; 123:538-554. [PMID: 38279531 PMCID: PMC10938082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Solutions of some proteins phase separate into a condensed state of high protein concentration and a dispersed state of low concentration. Such behavior is observed in living cells for a number of RNA-binding proteins that feature intrinsically disordered domains. It is relevant for cell function via the formation of membraneless organelles and transcriptional condensates. On a basic level, the process can be studied in vitro on protein domains that are necessary and sufficient for liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We have performed distance distribution measurements by electron paramagnetic resonance for 13 sections in an N-terminal domain (NTD) construct of the protein fused in sarcoma (FUS), consisting of the QGSY-rich domain and the RGG1 domain, in the denatured, dispersed, and condensed state. Using 10 distance distribution restraints for ensemble modeling and three such restraints for model validation, we have found that FUS NTD behaves as a random-coil polymer under good-solvent conditions in both the dispersed and condensed state. Conformation distribution in the biomolecular condensate is virtually indistinguishable from the one in an unrestrained ensemble, with the latter one being based on only residue-specific Ramachandran angle distributions. Over its whole length, FUS NTD is slightly more compact in the condensed than in the dispersed state, which is in line with the theory for random coils in good solvent proposed by de Gennes, Daoud, and Jannink. The estimated concentration in the condensate exceeds the overlap concentration resulting from this theory. The QGSY-rich domain is slightly more extended, slightly more hydrated, and has slightly higher propensity for LLPS than the RGG1 domain. Our results support previous suggestions that LLPS of FUS is driven by multiple transient nonspecific hydrogen bonding and π-sp2 interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Esteban-Hofer
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Maxim Yulikov
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Gunnar Jeschke
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Ivantsik O, John A, Kydonopoulou K, Mitropoulos K, Gerou S, Ali BR, Patrinos GP. Novel Pathogenic Variants Leading to Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Greek Patients. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:309. [PMID: 38540370 PMCID: PMC10970271 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive disease that affects motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death usually 3-5 years after the onset of symptoms. The investigation of both sporadic and familial ALS highlighted four main genes that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease: SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72. This study aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of genetic variants found in SOD1, FUS and TARDBP genes in Greek sporadic ALS (sALS) cases. Our sequencing analysis of the coding regions of the abovementioned genes that include the majority of the variants that lead to ALS in 32 sALS patients and 3 healthy relatives revealed 6 variants in SOD1, 19 variants in FUS and 37 variants in TARDBP, of which the SOD1 p.D90A and the FUS c.*356G>A (rs886051940) variants have been previously associated with ALS, while two novel nonsense pathogenic variants were also identified, namely FUS p.R241* and TDP-43 p.Y214*. Our study contributes to the worldwide effort toward clarifying the genetic basis of sALS to better understand the disease's molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouliana Ivantsik
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
| | - Anne John
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Konstantinos Mitropoulos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Gerou
- ANALYSI Biomedical Laboratories S.A., 54623 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Bassam R Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - George P Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Xiao X, Li M, Ye Z, He X, Wei J, Zha Y. FUS gene mutation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a new case report and systematic review. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:1-15. [PMID: 37926865 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2272170] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with upper and lower motor neuron degeneration and necrosis, characterized by progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. The FUS mutation-associated ALS has been classified as ALS6. We reported a case of ALS6 with de novo mutation and investigated retrospectively the characteristics of cases with FUS mutation. METHODS We reported a male patient with a new heterozygous variant of the FUS gene and comprehensively reviewed 173 ALS cases with FUS mutation. The literature was reviewed from the PubMed MEDLINE electronic database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) using "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Fus mutation" or "Fus mutation" as key words from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2022. RESULTS We report a case of ALS6 with a new mutation point (c.1225-1227delGGA) and comprehensively review 173 ALS cases with FUS mutation. Though ALS6 is all with FUS mutation, it is still a highly heterogenous subtype. The average onset age of ALS6 is 35.2 ± 1.3 years, which is much lower than the average onset age of ALS (60 years old). Juvenile FUS mutations have an aggressive progression of disease, with an average time from onset to death or tracheostomy of 18.2 ± 0.5 months. FUS gene has the characteristics of early onset, faster progress, and shorter survival, especially in deletion mutation p.G504Wfs *12 and missense mutation of p.P525L. CONCLUSIONS ALS6 is a highly heterogenous subtype. Our study could allow clinicians to better understand the non-ALS typical symptoms, phenotypes, and pathophysiology of ALS6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
| | - Min Li
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Zhi Ye
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
| | - Jun Wei
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
| | - Yunhong Zha
- Department of Neurology, Yichang Central Hospital, Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair, College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China and
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6
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Elmansy MF, Reidl CT, Rahaman M, Özdinler PH, Silverman RB. Small molecules targeting different cellular pathologies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2260-2302. [PMID: 37243319 PMCID: PMC10592673 DOI: 10.1002/med.21974] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease in which the motor neuron circuitry displays progressive degeneration, affecting mostly the motor neurons in the brain and in the spinal cord. There are no effective cures, albeit three drugs, riluzole, edaravone, and AMX0035 (a combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol), have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, with limited improvement in patients. There is an urgent need to build better and more effective treatment strategies for ALS. Since the disease is very heterogenous, numerous approaches have been explored, such as targeting genetic mutations, decreasing oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, enhancing mitochondrial function and protein degradation mechanisms, and inhibiting neuroinflammation. In addition, various chemical libraries or previously identified drugs have been screened for potential repurposing in the treatment of ALS. Here, we review previous drug discovery efforts targeting a variety of cellular pathologies that occur from genetic mutations that cause ALS, such as mutations in SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDP-43 genes. These mutations result in protein aggregation, which causes neuronal degeneration. Compounds used to target cellular pathologies that stem from these mutations are discussed and comparisons among different preclinical models are presented. Because the drug discovery landscape for ALS and other motor neuron diseases is changing rapidly, we also offer recommendations for a novel, more effective, direction in ALS drug discovery that could accelerate translation of effective compounds from animals to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Elmansy
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Organometallic and Organometalloid Chemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Cory T. Reidl
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Mizzanoor Rahaman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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7
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Rani N, Alam MM, Jamal A, Bin Ghaffar U, Parvez S. Caenorhabditis elegans: A transgenic model for studying age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102036. [PMID: 37598759 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102036] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a heterogeneous group of aging-associated ailments characterized by interrupting cellular proteostasic machinery and the misfolding of distinct proteins to form toxic aggregates in neurons. Neurodegenerative diseases, which include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and others, are becoming an increasing threat to human health worldwide. The degeneration and death of certain specific groups of neurons are the hallmarks of these diseases. Over the past decades, Caenorhabditis eleganshas beenwidely used as a transgenic model to investigate biological processes related to health and disease. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has developed as a powerful tool for studying disease mechanisms due to its ease of genetic handling and instant cultivation while providing a whole-animal system amendable to several molecular and biochemical techniques. In this review, we elucidate the potential of C. elegans as a versatile platform for systematic dissection of the molecular basis of human disease, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders, and may help better our understanding of the disease mechanisms and search for new therapeutics for these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Rani
- Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mohammad Mumtaz Alam
- Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry Lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Azfar Jamal
- Department of Biology, College of Science Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama Bin Ghaffar
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhel Parvez
- Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
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8
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Ciurea AV, Mohan AG, Covache-Busuioc RA, Costin HP, Glavan LA, Corlatescu AD, Saceleanu VM. Unraveling Molecular and Genetic Insights into Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advances in Understanding Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10809. [PMID: 37445986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are, according to recent studies, one of the main causes of disability and death worldwide. Interest in molecular genetics has started to experience exponential growth thanks to numerous advancements in technology, shifts in the understanding of the disease as a phenomenon, and the change in the perspective regarding gene editing and the advantages of this action. The aim of this paper is to analyze the newest approaches in genetics and molecular sciences regarding four of the most important neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We intend through this review to focus on the newest treatment, diagnosis, and predictions regarding this large group of diseases, in order to obtain a more accurate analysis and to identify the emerging signs that could lead to a better outcome in order to increase both the quality and the life span of the patient. Moreover, this review could provide evidence of future possible novel therapies that target the specific genes and that could be useful to be taken into consideration when the classical approaches fail to shed light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aurel George Mohan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Bihor County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 410167 Oradea, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oradea University, 410610 Oradea, Romania
| | | | - Horia-Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Luca-Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antonio-Daniel Corlatescu
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vicentiu Mircea Saceleanu
- Neurosurgery Department, Sibiu County Emergency Hospital, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, "Lucian Blaga" University of Medicine, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
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9
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Meanti R, Bresciani E, Rizzi L, Coco S, Zambelli V, Dimitroulas A, Molteni L, Omeljaniuk RJ, Locatelli V, Torsello A. Potential Applications for Growth Hormone Secretagogues Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2376-2394. [PMID: 36111771 PMCID: PMC10616926 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220915103613] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) arises from neuronal death due to complex interactions of genetic, molecular, and environmental factors. Currently, only two drugs, riluzole and edaravone, have been approved to slow the progression of this disease. However, ghrelin and other ligands of the GHS-R1a receptor have demonstrated interesting neuroprotective activities that could be exploited in this pathology. Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid hormone, primarily synthesized and secreted by oxyntic cells in the stomach wall, binds to the pituitary GHS-R1a and stimulates GH secretion; in addition, ghrelin is endowed with multiple extra endocrine bioactivities. Native ghrelin requires esterification with octanoic acid for binding to the GHS-R1a receptor; however, this esterified form is very labile and represents less than 10% of circulating ghrelin. A large number of synthetic compounds, the growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) encompassing short peptides, peptoids, and non-peptidic moieties, are capable of mimicking several biological activities of ghrelin, including stimulation of GH release, appetite, and elevation of blood IGF-I levels. GHS have demonstrated neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects in experimental models of pathologies both in vitro and in vivo. To illustrate, some GHS, currently under evaluation by regulatory agencies for the treatment of human cachexia, have a good safety profile and are safe for human use. Collectively, evidence suggests that ghrelin and cognate GHS may constitute potential therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Silvia Coco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Vanessa Zambelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Anna Dimitroulas
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Molteni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Robert J. Omeljaniuk
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Vittorio Locatelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
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10
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Lambert-Smith IA, Saunders DN, Yerbury JJ. Progress in biophysics and molecular biology proteostasis impairment and ALS. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 174:3-27. [PMID: 35716729 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that results from the loss of both upper and lower motor neurons. It is the most common motor neuron disease and currently has no effective treatment. There is mounting evidence to suggest that disturbances in proteostasis play a significant role in ALS pathogenesis. Proteostasis is the maintenance of the proteome at the right level, conformation and location to allow a cell to perform its intended function. In this review, we present a thorough synthesis of the literature that provides evidence that genetic mutations associated with ALS cause imbalance to a proteome that is vulnerable to such pressure due to its metastable nature. We propose that the mechanism underlying motor neuron death caused by defects in mRNA metabolism and protein degradation pathways converges on proteostasis dysfunction. We propose that the proteostasis network may provide an effective target for therapeutic development in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella A Lambert-Smith
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Darren N Saunders
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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11
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Rhine K, Dasovich M, Yoniles J, Badiee M, Skanchy S, Ganser L, Ge Y, Fare CM, Shorter J, Leung AKL, Myong S. Poly(ADP-ribose) drives condensation of FUS via a transient interaction. Mol Cell 2022; 82:969-985.e11. [PMID: 35182479 PMCID: PMC9330637 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is an RNA-like polymer that regulates an increasing number of biological processes. Dysregulation of PAR is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal protein aggregation, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PAR forms condensates with FUS, an RNA-binding protein linked with ALS, through an unknown mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that a strikingly low concentration of PAR (1 nM) is sufficient to trigger condensation of FUS near its physiological concentration (1 μM), which is three orders of magnitude lower than the concentration at which RNA induces condensation (1 μM). Unlike RNA, which associates with FUS stably, PAR interacts with FUS transiently, triggering FUS to oligomerize into condensates. Moreover, inhibition of a major PAR-synthesizing enzyme, PARP5a, diminishes FUS condensation in cells. Despite their structural similarity, PAR and RNA co-condense with FUS, driven by disparate modes of interaction with FUS. Thus, we uncover a mechanism by which PAR potently seeds FUS condensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Rhine
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Morgan Dasovich
- Chemistry-Biology Interface Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joey Yoniles
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Mohsen Badiee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sophie Skanchy
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Laura Ganser
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yingda Ge
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Charlotte M. Fare
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James Shorter
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anthony K. L. Leung
- Chemistry-Biology Interface Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Corresponding Authors; &
| | - Sua Myong
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Physics Frontier Center (Center for the Physics of Living Cells), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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12
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Milicevic K, Rankovic B, Andjus PR, Bataveljic D, Milovanovic D. Emerging Roles for Phase Separation of RNA-Binding Proteins in Cellular Pathology of ALS. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:840256. [PMID: 35372329 PMCID: PMC8965147 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.840256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is emerging as a major principle for the mesoscale organization of proteins, RNAs, and membrane-bound organelles into biomolecular condensates. These condensates allow for rapid cellular responses to changes in metabolic activities and signaling. Nowhere is this regulation more important than in neurons and glia, where cellular physiology occurs simultaneously on a range of time- and length-scales. In a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), misregulation of biomolecular condensates leads to the formation of insoluble aggregates-a pathological hallmark of both sporadic and familial ALS. Here, we summarize how the emerging knowledge about the LLPS of ALS-related proteins corroborates with their aggregation. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to protein aggregation in ALS and how cells respond to these aggregates promises to open new directions for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Milicevic
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branislava Rankovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pavle R. Andjus
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Bataveljic
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
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13
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The low-complexity domain of the FUS RNA binding protein self-assembles via the mutually exclusive use of two distinct cross-β cores. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2114412118. [PMID: 34654750 PMCID: PMC8545455 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114412118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Single amino acid changes causative of neurologic disease often map to the cross-β forming regions of low-complexity (LC) domains. All such mutations studied to date lead to enhanced avidity of cross-β interactions. The LC domain of the fused in sarcoma (FUS) RNA binding protein contains three different regions that are capable of forming labile cross-β interactions. Here we describe the perplexing effect of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-causing mutations localized to the LC domain of FUS to substantially weaken its ability to form one of its three cross-β interactions. An understanding of how these mutations abet uncontrolled polymerization of the FUS LC domain may represent an important clue as to how LC domains achieve their proper biological function. The low-complexity (LC) domain of the fused in sarcoma (FUS) RNA binding protein self-associates in a manner causing phase separation from an aqueous environment. Incubation of the FUS LC domain under physiologically normal conditions of salt and pH leads to rapid formation of liquid-like droplets that mature into a gel-like state. Both examples of phase separation have enabled reductionist biochemical assays allowing discovery of an N-terminal region of 57 residues that assembles into a labile, cross-β structure. Here we provide evidence of a nonoverlapping, C-terminal region of the FUS LC domain that also forms specific cross-β interactions. We propose that biologic function of the FUS LC domain may operate via the mutually exclusive use of these N- and C-terminal cross-β cores. Neurodegenerative disease–causing mutations in the FUS LC domain are shown to imbalance the two cross-β cores, offering an unanticipated concept of LC domain function and dysfunction.
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14
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Biomolecular Condensates in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1483. [PMID: 34573116 PMCID: PMC8465482 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles (MLOs) that form dynamic, chemically distinct subcellular compartments organizing macromolecules such as proteins, RNA, and DNA in unicellular prokaryotic bacteria and complex eukaryotic cells. Separated from surrounding environments, MLOs in the nucleoplasm, cytoplasm, and mitochondria assemble by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) into transient, non-static, liquid-like droplets that regulate essential molecular functions. LLPS is primarily controlled by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that fine-tune the balance between attractive and repulsive charge states and/or binding motifs of proteins. Aberrant phase separation due to dysregulated membrane lipid rafts and/or PTMs, as well as the absence of adequate hydrotropic small molecules such as ATP, or the presence of specific RNA proteins can cause pathological protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin may exert a dominant influence over phase separation in biomolecular condensates by optimizing membrane and MLO interdependent reactions through stabilizing lipid raft domains, reducing line tension, and maintaining negative membrane curvature and fluidity. As a potent antioxidant, melatonin protects cardiolipin and other membrane lipids from peroxidation cascades, supporting protein trafficking, signaling, ion channel activities, and ATPase functionality during condensate coacervation or dissolution. Melatonin may even control condensate LLPS through PTM and balance mRNA- and RNA-binding protein composition by regulating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. There is currently a lack of pharmaceuticals targeting neurodegenerative disorders via the regulation of phase separation. The potential of melatonin in the modulation of biomolecular condensate in the attenuation of aberrant condensate aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders is discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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15
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Tejido C, Pakravan D, Bosch LVD. Potential Therapeutic Role of HDAC Inhibitors in FUS-ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:686995. [PMID: 34434087 PMCID: PMC8380926 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.686995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the FUS gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-FUS). However, the exact pathogenic mechanism of mutant fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein is not completely understood. FUS is an RNA binding protein (RBP) localized predominantly in the nucleus, but ALS-linked FUS mutations can affect its nuclear localization signal impairing its import into the nucleus. This mislocalization to the cytoplasm facilitates FUS aggregation in cytoplasmic inclusions. Therapies targeting post translational modifications are rising as new treatments for ALS, in particular acetylation which could have a role in the dynamics of RBPs. Research using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in FUS-ALS models showed that HDACs can influence cytoplasmic FUS localization. Inhibition of HDACs could promote acetylation of the FUS RNA binding domain (RRM) and altering its RNA interactions resulting in FUS maintenance in the nucleus. In addition, acetylation of FUS RRMs might also favor or disfavor its incorporation into pathological inclusions. In this review, we summarize and discuss the evidence for the potential role of HDACs in the context of FUS-ALS and we propose a new hypothesis based on this overview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Tejido
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Donya Pakravan
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Soldatov VO, Kukharsky MS, Belykh AE, Sobolev AM, Deykin AV. Retinal Damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Underlying Mechanisms. Eye Brain 2021; 13:131-146. [PMID: 34012311 PMCID: PMC8128130 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s299423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease resulting in a gradual loss of motor neuron function. Although ophthalmic complaints are not presently considered a classic symptom of ALS, retinal changes such as thinning, axonal degeneration and inclusion bodies have been found in many patients. Retinal abnormalities observed in postmortem human tissues and animal models are similar to spinal cord changes in ALS. These findings are not dramatically unexpected because retina shares an ontogenetic relationship with the brain, and many genes are associated both with neurodegeneration and retinal diseases. Experimental studies have demonstrated that ALS affects many “vulnerable points” of the retina. Aggregate deposition, impaired nuclear protein import, endoplasmic reticulum stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, vascular regression, and mitochondrial dysfunction are factors suspected as being the main cause of motor neuron damage in ALS. Herein, we show that all of these pathways can affect retinal cells in the same way as motor neurons. Furthermore, we suppose that understanding the patterns of neuro-ophthalmic interaction in ALS can help in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav O Soldatov
- Core Facility Centre, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Michail S Kukharsky
- Department of General and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medical Biology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Genetic Modelling of Neurodegenerative Processes, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Andrey E Belykh
- Department of Pathophysiology, Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
| | - Andrey M Sobolev
- Laboratory of Genetic Modelling of Neurodegenerative Processes, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Alexey V Deykin
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Wells C, Brennan S, Keon M, Ooi L. The role of amyloid oligomers in neurodegenerative pathologies. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:582-604. [PMID: 33766600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are rooted in the activities of amyloid-like proteins which possess conformations that spread to healthy proteins. These include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While their clinical manifestations vary, their protein-level mechanisms are remarkably similar. Aberrant monomeric proteins undergo conformational shifts, facilitating aggregation and formation of solid fibrils. However, there is growing evidence that intermediate oligomeric stages are key drivers of neuronal toxicity. Analysis of protein dynamics is complicated by the fact that nucleation and growth of amyloid-like proteins is not a linear pathway. Feedback within this pathway results in exponential acceleration of aggregation, but activities exerted by oligomers and fibrils can alter cellular interactions and the cellular environment as a whole. The resulting cascade of effects likely contributes to the late onset and accelerating progression of amyloid-like protein disorders and the widespread effects they have on the body. In this review we explore the amyloid-like proteins associated with AD, PD, HD and ALS, as well as the common mechanisms of amyloid-like protein nucleation and aggregation. From this, we identify core elements of pathological progression which have been targeted for therapies, and which may become future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Wells
- GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Matt Keon
- GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
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18
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Rhine K, Makurath MA, Liu J, Skanchy S, Lopez C, Catalan KF, Ma Y, Fare CM, Shorter J, Ha T, Chemla YR, Myong S. ALS/FTLD-Linked Mutations in FUS Glycine Residues Cause Accelerated Gelation and Reduced Interactions with Wild-Type FUS. Mol Cell 2020; 80:666-681.e8. [PMID: 33159856 PMCID: PMC7688085 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.10.014] [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: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) can form pathogenic inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD). Over 70 mutations in Fus are linked to ALS/FTLD. In patients, all Fus mutations are heterozygous, indicating that the mutant drives disease progression despite the presence of wild-type (WT) FUS. Here, we demonstrate that ALS/FTLD-linked FUS mutations in glycine (G) strikingly drive formation of droplets that do not readily interact with WT FUS, whereas arginine (R) mutants form mixed condensates with WT FUS. Remarkably, interactions between WT and G mutants are disfavored at the earliest stages of FUS nucleation. In contrast, R mutants physically interact with the WT FUS such that WT FUS recovers the mutant defects by reducing droplet size and increasing dynamic interactions with RNA. This result suggests disparate molecular mechanisms underlying ALS/FTLD pathogenesis and differing recovery potential depending on the type of mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Rhine
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Monika A Makurath
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Physics, Center for the Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - James Liu
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Medical Genetics and Ophthalmic Genomics Unit, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sophie Skanchy
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Christian Lopez
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kevin F Catalan
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ye Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Charlotte M Fare
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Physics, Center for the Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yann R Chemla
- Department of Physics, Center for the Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sua Myong
- Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Physics, Center for the Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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19
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Zou ZY, Che CH, Feng SY, Fang XY, Huang HP, Liu CY. Novel FUS mutation Y526F causing rapidly progressive familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 22:73-79. [PMID: 32720527 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1797815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
FUS gene is one of the most common mutated genes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We sequenced for FUS mutations in a cohort of 15 familial ALS and 275 sporadic ALS of Chinese origin. All 15 exons of the FUS gene were sequenced by targeted next-generation sequencing in a cohort of 15 familial ALS indexes and 275 sporadic ALS patients of Chinese origin. One novel p.Y526F mutation in FUS was detected in one familial ALS proband. Another novel FUS p.Q140R variant and two known FUS mutations (p.R495Efs*33 and p.R521C) were identified in four sporadic ALS cases. The frequency of FUS mutation in our cohort is 6.7% in familial ALS and 1.5% in sporadic ALS. The familial ALS proband carrying the FUS p.Y526F mutation presented with juvenile-onset lower limbs weakness and demonstrated an aggressive course, with respiratory muscles involvement 6 months after onset. The other patients in the family all had limbs weakness and died 1-2 years after disease onset. Our results strengthen that FUS mutations are the most frequent genetic causes of young-onset aggressive ALS. Genetic testing of the FUS gene should be performed in early-onset ALS patients especially those with a rapid progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang-Yu Zou
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chun-Hui Che
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shu-Yan Feng
- Department of Neurophysiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Ying Fang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hua-Pin Huang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chang-Yun Liu
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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20
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Chatterjee S, Salimi A, Lee JY. Insights into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis linked Pro525Arg mutation in the fused in sarcoma protein through in silico analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:5963-5976. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1794967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abbas Salimi
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jin Yong Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
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21
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Ranganathan R, Haque S, Coley K, Shepheard S, Cooper-Knock J, Kirby J. Multifaceted Genes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:684. [PMID: 32733193 PMCID: PMC7358438 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are two progressive, adult onset neurodegenerative diseases, caused by the cell death of motor neurons in the motor cortex and spinal cord and cortical neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes, respectively. Whilst these have previously appeared to be quite distinct disorders, in terms of areas affected and clinical symptoms, identification of cognitive dysfunction as a component of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with some patients presenting with both ALS and FTD, overlapping features of neuropathology and the ongoing discoveries that a significant proportion of the genes underlying the familial forms of the disease are the same, has led to ALS and FTD being described as a disease spectrum. Many of these genes encode proteins in common biological pathways including RNA processing, autophagy, ubiquitin proteasome system, unfolded protein response and intracellular trafficking. This article provides an overview of the ALS-FTD genes before summarizing other known ALS and FTD causing genes where mutations have been found primarily in patients of one disease and rarely in the other. In discussing these genes, the review highlights the similarity of biological pathways in which the encoded proteins function and the interactions that occur between these proteins, whilst recognizing the distinctions of MAPT-related FTD and SOD1-related ALS. However, mutations in all of these genes result in similar pathology including protein aggregation and neuroinflammation, highlighting that multiple different mechanisms lead to common downstream effects and neuronal loss. Next generation sequencing has had a significant impact on the identification of genes associated with both diseases, and has also highlighted the widening clinical phenotypes associated with variants in these ALS and FTD genes. It is hoped that the large sequencing initiatives currently underway in ALS and FTD will begin to uncover why different diseases are associated with mutations within a single gene, especially as a personalized medicine approach to therapy, based on a patient's genetics, approaches the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ranganathan
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Shaila Haque
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh
| | - Kayesha Coley
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Shepheard
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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22
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Perrone B, Conforti FL. Common mutations of interest in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: how common are common mutations in ALS genes? Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2020; 20:703-714. [PMID: 32497448 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1779060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease predominantly affecting upper and lower motor neurons. Diagnosis of this devastating pathology is very difficult because the high degree of clinical heterogeneity with which it occurs and until now, no truly effective treatment exists. AREAS COVERED Molecular diagnosis may be a valuable tool for dissecting out ALS complex heterogeneity and for identifying new molecular mechanisms underlying the characteristic selective degeneration and death of motor neurons. To date, pathogenic variants in ALS genes are known to be present in up to 70% of familial and 10% of apparently sporadic ALS cases and can be associated with risks for ALS only or risks for other neurodegenerative diseases. This paper shows the procedure currently used in diagnostic laboratories to investigate most frequent mutations in ALS and evaluating the utility of involved molecular techniques as potential tools to discriminate 'common mutations' in ALS patients. EXPERT OPINION Genetic testing may allow for establishing an accurate pathological diagnosis and a more precise stratification of patient groups in future drug trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Perrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria , Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy
| | - Francesca Luisa Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria , Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy
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23
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Pensato V, Magri S, Dalla Bella E, Tannorella P, Bersano E, Sorarù G, Gatti M, Ticozzi N, Taroni F, Lauria G, Mariotti C, Gellera C. Sorting Rare ALS Genetic Variants by Targeted Re-Sequencing Panel in Italian Patients: OPTN, VCP, and SQSTM1 Variants Account for 3% of Rare Genetic Forms. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020412. [PMID: 32028661 PMCID: PMC7073901 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset progressive neurodegenerative disease due to motor neuron loss variably associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Next generation sequencing technology revealed an increasing number of rare and novel genetic variants and interpretation of their pathogenicity represents a major challange in the diagnosis of ALS. We selected 213 consecutive patients with sporadic or familial (16%) ALS, tested negative for SOD1, FUS, TARDBP, and C9orf72 mutations. To reveal rare forms of genetic ALS, we performed a comprehensive multi-gene panel screening including 46 genes associated with ALS, hereditary motor neuronopathies, spastic paraplegia, and FTD. Our study allowed the identification of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 4.2% of patients. The genes with the highest percentage of pathogenic variants were OPTN (1%), VCP (1%) SQSTM1(1%), SETX (0.4%), FIG4 (0.4%), and GARS1 (0.4%) genes. We also found 49 novel or rare gene variants of unknown significance in 30 patients (14%), 44 unlikely pathogenic variants (39%), and 48 variants in ALS susceptibility genes. The results of our study suggest the screening of OPTN, VCP, and SQSTM1 genes in routine diagnostic investigations for both sporadic and familial cases, and confirm the importance of diagnosis and couselling for patients and their relative family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Pensato
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
- 3rd Neurology Unit, Motor Neuron Diseases Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy (E.B.); (G.L.)
| | - Stefania Magri
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- 3rd Neurology Unit, Motor Neuron Diseases Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy (E.B.); (G.L.)
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
| | - Enrica Bersano
- 3rd Neurology Unit, Motor Neuron Diseases Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy (E.B.); (G.L.)
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Marta Gatti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, ‘Dino Ferrari’ Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit, Motor Neuron Diseases Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy (E.B.); (G.L.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-2394-2269
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (S.M.); (P.T.); (M.G.); (F.T.); (C.G.)
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24
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Baradaran-Heravi Y, Van Broeckhoven C, van der Zee J. Stress granule mediated protein aggregation and underlying gene defects in the FTD-ALS spectrum. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104639. [PMID: 31626953 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic membraneless compartments composed out of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNA molecules that assemble temporarily to allow the cell to cope with cellular stress by stalling mRNA translation and moving synthesis towards cytoprotective proteins. Aberrant SGs have become prime suspects in the nucleation of toxic protein aggregation in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Perturbed SG dynamics appears to be mediated by alterations in RNA binding proteins (RBP). Indeed, a growing number of FTD and/or ALS related RBPs coding genes (TDP43, FUS, EWSR1, TAF15, hnRNPA1, hnRNPA2B1, ATXN2, TIA1) have been identified to interfere with SG formation through mutation of their low-complexity domain (LCD), and thereby cause or influence disease. Interestingly, disease pathways associated to the C9orf72 repeat expansion, the leading genetic cause of the FTD-ALS spectrum, intersect with SG-mediated protein aggregate formation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of known SG proteins and their genetic contribution to the FTD-ALS spectrum. Importantly, multiple LCD-baring RBPs have already been identified in FTD-ALS that have not yet been genetically linked to disease. These should be considered candidate genes and offer opportunities for gene prioritization when mining sequencing data of unresolved FTD and ALS. Further, we zoom into the current understanding of the molecular processes of perturbed RBP function leading to disturbed SG dynamics, RNA metabolism, and pathological inclusions. Finally, we indicate how these gained insights open new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting phase separation and SG dynamics to reverse pathological protein aggregation and protect against toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalda Baradaran-Heravi
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christine Van Broeckhoven
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Julie van der Zee
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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25
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Chen C, Ding X, Akram N, Xue S, Luo SZ. Fused in Sarcoma: Properties, Self-Assembly and Correlation with Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081622. [PMID: 31022909 PMCID: PMC6514960 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a DNA/RNA binding protein that is involved in RNA metabolism and DNA repair. Numerous reports have demonstrated by pathological and genetic analysis that FUS is associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and polyglutamine diseases. Traditionally, the fibrillar aggregation of FUS was considered to be the cause of those diseases, especially via its prion-like domains (PrLDs), which are rich in glutamine and asparagine residues. Lately, a nonfibrillar self-assembling phenomenon, liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), was observed in FUS, and studies of its functions, mechanism, and mutual transformation with pathogenic amyloid have been emerging. This review summarizes recent studies on FUS self-assembling, including both aggregation and LLPS as well as their relationship with the pathology of ALS, FTLD, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Xiufang Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Nimrah Akram
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Song Xue
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Shi-Zhong Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
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26
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An H, Skelt L, Notaro A, Highley JR, Fox AH, La Bella V, Buchman VL, Shelkovnikova TA. ALS-linked FUS mutations confer loss and gain of function in the nucleus by promoting excessive formation of dysfunctional paraspeckles. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:7. [PMID: 30642400 PMCID: PMC6330737 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0658-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the FUS gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-FUS). Mutant FUS is known to confer cytoplasmic gain of function but its effects in the nucleus are less understood. FUS is an essential component of paraspeckles, subnuclear bodies assembled on a lncRNA NEAT1. Paraspeckles may play a protective role specifically in degenerating spinal motor neurons. However it is still unknown how endogenous levels of mutant FUS would affect NEAT1/paraspeckles. Using novel cell lines with the FUS gene modified by CRISPR/Cas9 and human patient fibroblasts, we found that endogenous levels of mutant FUS cause accumulation of NEAT1 isoforms and paraspeckles. However, despite only mild cytoplasmic mislocalisation of FUS, paraspeckle integrity is compromised in these cells, as confirmed by reduced interaction of mutant FUS with core paraspeckle proteins NONO and SFPQ and increased NEAT1 extractability. This results in NEAT1 localisation outside paraspeckles, especially prominent under conditions of paraspeckle-inducing stress. Consistently, paraspeckle-dependent microRNA production, a readout for functionality of paraspeckles, is impaired in cells expressing mutant FUS. In line with the cellular data, we observed paraspeckle hyper-assembly in spinal neurons of ALS-FUS patients. Therefore, despite largely preserving its nuclear localisation, mutant FUS leads to loss (dysfunctional paraspeckles) and gain (excess of free NEAT1) of function in the nucleus. Perturbed fine structure and functionality of paraspeckles accompanied by accumulation of non-paraspeckle NEAT1 may contribute to the disease severity in ALS-FUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan An
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX UK
| | - Lucy Skelt
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX UK
| | - Antonietta Notaro
- ALS Clinical Research Center and Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - J. Robin Highley
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Sheffield, S10 2HQ UK
| | - Archa H. Fox
- School of Human Sciences, School of Molecular Sciences and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009 Australia
| | - Vincenzo La Bella
- ALS Clinical Research Center and Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vladimir L. Buchman
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds RAS, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation 142432
| | - Tatyana A. Shelkovnikova
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds RAS, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation 142432
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
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27
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Wadman RI, Jansen MD, Curial CAD, Groen EJN, Stam M, Wijngaarde CA, Medic J, Sodaar P, van Eijk KR, Huibers MMH, van Kuik J, Lemmink HH, van Rheenen W, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, van der Pol WL. Analysis of FUS, PFN2, TDP-43, and PLS3 as potential disease severity modifiers in spinal muscular atrophy. NEUROLOGY-GENETICS 2019; 6:e386. [PMID: 32042914 PMCID: PMC6975178 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate mutations in genes that are potential modifiers of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) severity. Methods We performed a hypothesis-based search into the presence of variants in fused in sarcoma (FUS), transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), plastin 3 (PLS3), and profilin 2 (PFN2) in a cohort of 153 patients with SMA types 1–4, including 19 families. Variants were detected with targeted next-generation sequencing and confirmed with Sanger sequencing. Functional effects of the identified variants were analyzed in silico and for PLS3, by analyzing expression levels in peripheral blood. Results We identified 2 exonic variants in FUS exons 5 and 6 (p.R216C and p.S135N) in 2 unrelated patients, but clinical effects were not evident. We identified 8 intronic variants in PLS3 in 33 patients. Five PLS3 variants (c.1511+82T>C; c.748+130 G>A; c.367+182C>T; c.891-25T>C (rs145269469); c.1355+17A>G (rs150802596)) potentially alter exonic splice silencer or exonic splice enhancer sites. The variant c.367+182C>T, but not RNA expression levels, corresponded with a more severe phenotype in 1 family. However, this variant or level of PLS3 expression did not consistently correspond with a milder or more severe phenotype in other families or the overall cohort. We found 3 heterozygous, intronic variants in PFN2 and TDP-43 with no correlation with clinical phenotype or effects on splicing. Conclusions PLS3 and FUS sequence variants do not modify SMA severity at the population level. Specific variants in individual patients or families do not consistently correlate with disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske I Wadman
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marc D Jansen
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chantall A D Curial
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes Stam
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelena Medic
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Sodaar
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kristel R van Eijk
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Manon M H Huibers
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce van Kuik
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henny H Lemmink
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Herman Veldink
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology (R.I.W., M.D.J., C.A.D.C., E.J.N.G., M.S., C.A.W., J.M., P.S., K.R.E., W.R., J.H.V., L.H.B., W.L.P.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Pathology (M.M.H.H., J.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Genetics (M.M.H.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht; and Department of Genetics (H.H.L.), University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
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28
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Borrego-Écija S, Cortés-Vicente E, Cervera-Carles L, Clarimón J, Gámez J, Batlle J, Ricken G, Molina-Porcel L, Aldecoa I, Sánchez-Valle R, Rojas-García R, Gelpi E. Does ALS-FUS without FUS mutation represent ALS-FET? Report of three cases. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 45:421-426. [PMID: 30375034 PMCID: PMC7380051 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Borrego-Écija
- Neurology Department, Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Cortés-Vicente
- Neurology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques-Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Cervera-Carles
- Neurology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques-Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research into Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - J Clarimón
- Neurology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques-Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research into Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - J Gámez
- Neurology Department, Hospital de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Batlle
- Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Pau y Santa Tecla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - G Ricken
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Molina-Porcel
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Aldecoa
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Pathology Department, CDB, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Sánchez-Valle
- Neurology Department, Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Rojas-García
- Neurology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques-Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research into Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - E Gelpi
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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29
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Toth RP, Atkin JD. Dysfunction of Optineurin in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Glaucoma. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1017. [PMID: 29875767 PMCID: PMC5974248 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and glaucoma, affect millions of people worldwide. ALS is caused by the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem, and brain, and genetic mutations are responsible for 10% of all ALS cases. Glaucoma is characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells and is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Interestingly, mutations in OPTN, encoding optineurin, are associated with both ALS and glaucoma. Optineurin is a highly abundant protein involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including the inflammatory response, autophagy, Golgi maintenance, and vesicular transport. In this review, we summarize the role of optineurin in cellular mechanisms implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, including neuroinflammation, autophagy, and vesicular trafficking, focusing in particular on the consequences of expression of mutations associated with ALS and glaucoma. This review, therefore showcases the impact of optineurin dysfunction in ALS and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reka P Toth
- Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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30
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Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in diseases of motor and sensory neurons: a broken relationship? Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:333. [PMID: 29491369 PMCID: PMC5832431 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0125-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases revealed that multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to pathological changes in neurons. A large fraction of these alterations can be linked to dysfunction in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, affecting metabolism and secretion of lipids and proteins, calcium homeostasis, and energy production. Remarkably, these organelles are interacting with each other at specialized domains on the ER called mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). These membrane structures rely on the interaction of several complexes of proteins localized either at the mitochondria or at the ER interface and serve as an exchange platform of calcium, metabolites, and lipids, which are critical for the function of both organelles. In addition, recent evidence indicates that MAMs also play a role in the control of mitochondria dynamics and autophagy. MAMs thus start to emerge as a key element connecting many changes observed in neurodegenerative diseases. This review will focus on the role of MAMs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, two neurodegenerative diseases particularly affecting neurons with long projecting axons. We will discuss how defects in MAM signaling may impair neuronal calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial dynamics, ER function, and autophagy, leading eventually to axonal degeneration. The possible impact of MAM dysfunction in glial cells, which may affect the capacity to support neurons and/or axons, will also be described. Finally, the possible role of MAMs as an interesting target for development of therapeutic interventions aiming at delaying or preventing neurodegeneration will be highlighted.
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31
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Ticozzi N, Silani V. Genotypic and Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. NEURODEGENER DIS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72938-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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32
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Mackenzie IRA, Neumann M. Fused in Sarcoma Neuropathology in Neurodegenerative Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a024299. [PMID: 28096243 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal intracellular accumulation of the fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein is the characteristic pathological feature of cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by FUS mutations (ALS-FUS) and several uncommon disorders that may present with sporadic frontotemporal dementia (FTLD-FUS). Although these findings provide further support for the concept that ALS and FTD are closely related clinical syndromes with an overlapping molecular basis, important differences in the pathological features and results from experimental models indicate that ALS-FUS and FTLD-FUS have distinct pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R A Mackenzie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Manuela Neumann
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Tübingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen 72076, Germany
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33
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Polymenidou M, Cleveland DW. Biological Spectrum of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Prions. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a024133. [PMID: 28062558 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD) are two neurodegenerative diseases with distinct clinical features but common genetic causes and neuropathological signatures. Ten years after the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 was discovered as the main protein in the cytoplasmic inclusions that characterize ALS and FTLD, their pathogenic mechanisms have never seemed more complex. Indeed, discoveries of the past decade have revolutionized our understanding of these diseases, highlighting their genetic heterogeneity and the involvement of protein-RNA assemblies in their pathogenesis. Importantly, these assemblies serve as the foci of protein misfolding and mature into insoluble structures, which further recruit native proteins, turning them into misfolded forms. This self-perpetuating mechanism is a twisted version of classical prion replication that leads to amplification of pathological protein complexes that spread throughout the neuraxis, offering a pathogenic principle that underlies the rapid disease progression that characterizes ALS and FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalini Polymenidou
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Don W Cleveland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0670
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34
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Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a leading cause of death in the developed world and a natural, albeit unfortunate, consequence of longer-lived populations. Despite great demand for therapeutic intervention, it is often the case that these diseases are insufficiently understood at the basic molecular level. What little is known has prompted much hopeful speculation about a generalized mechanistic thread that ties these disparate conditions together at the subcellular level and can be exploited for broad curative benefit. In this review, we discuss a prominent theory supported by genetic and pathological changes in an array of neurodegenerative diseases: that neurons are particularly vulnerable to disruption of RNA-binding protein dosage and dynamics. Here we synthesize the progress made at the clinical, genetic, and biophysical levels and conclude that this perspective offers the most parsimonious explanation for these mysterious diseases. Where appropriate, we highlight the reciprocal benefits of cross-disciplinary collaboration between disease specialists and RNA biologists as we envision a future in which neurodegeneration declines and our understanding of the broad importance of RNA processing deepens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin G Conlon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - James L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
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35
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Shahheydari H, Ragagnin A, Walker AK, Toth RP, Vidal M, Jagaraj CJ, Perri ER, Konopka A, Sultana JM, Atkin JD. Protein Quality Control and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia Continuum. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:119. [PMID: 28539871 PMCID: PMC5423993 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, has an important regulatory role in cellular function. Protein quality control mechanisms, including protein folding and protein degradation processes, have a crucial function in post-mitotic neurons. Cellular protein quality control relies on multiple strategies, including molecular chaperones, autophagy, the ubiquitin proteasome system, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) and the formation of stress granules (SGs), to regulate proteostasis. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the presence of misfolded protein aggregates, implying that protein quality control mechanisms are dysfunctional in these conditions. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that are now recognized to overlap clinically and pathologically, forming a continuous disease spectrum. In this review article, we detail the evidence for dysregulation of protein quality control mechanisms across the whole ALS-FTD continuum, by discussing the major proteins implicated in ALS and/or FTD. We also discuss possible ways in which protein quality mechanisms could be targeted therapeutically in these disorders and highlight promising protein quality control-based therapeutics for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Shahheydari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Audrey Ragagnin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Reka P Toth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Vidal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyril J Jagaraj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma R Perri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Konopka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica M Sultana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia
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36
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RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains in health and disease. Biochem J 2017; 474:1417-1438. [PMID: 28389532 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 70 human RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) contain a prion-like domain (PrLD). PrLDs are low-complexity domains that possess a similar amino acid composition to prion domains in yeast, which enable several proteins, including Sup35 and Rnq1, to form infectious conformers, termed prions. In humans, PrLDs contribute to RBP function and enable RBPs to undergo liquid-liquid phase transitions that underlie the biogenesis of various membraneless organelles. However, this activity appears to render RBPs prone to misfolding and aggregation connected to neurodegenerative disease. Indeed, numerous RBPs with PrLDs, including TDP-43 (transactivation response element DNA-binding protein 43), FUS (fused in sarcoma), TAF15 (TATA-binding protein-associated factor 15), EWSR1 (Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1), and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A1 and A2 (hnRNPA1 and hnRNPA2), have now been connected via pathology and genetics to the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, and multisystem proteinopathy. Here, we review the physiological and pathological roles of the most prominent RBPs with PrLDs. We also highlight the potential of protein disaggregases, including Hsp104, as a therapeutic strategy to combat the aberrant phase transitions of RBPs with PrLDs that likely underpin neurodegeneration.
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37
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Guerrero EN, Wang H, Mitra J, Hegde PM, Stowell SE, Liachko NF, Kraemer BC, Garruto RM, Rao KS, Hegde ML. TDP-43/FUS in motor neuron disease: Complexity and challenges. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 145-146:78-97. [PMID: 27693252 PMCID: PMC5101148 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a common motor neuron disease affecting two per 100,000 people worldwide, encompasses at least five distinct pathological subtypes, including, ALS-SOD1, ALS-C9orf72, ALS-TDP-43, ALS-FUS and Guam-ALS. The etiology of a major subset of ALS involves toxicity of the TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43). A second RNA/DNA binding protein, fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) has been subsequently associated with about 1% of ALS patients. While mutations in TDP-43 and FUS have been linked to ALS, the key contributing molecular mechanism(s) leading to cell death are still unclear. One unique feature of TDP-43 and FUS pathogenesis in ALS is their nuclear clearance and simultaneous cytoplasmic aggregation in affected motor neurons. Since the discoveries in the last decade implicating TDP-43 and FUS toxicity in ALS, a majority of studies have focused on their cytoplasmic aggregation and disruption of their RNA-binding functions. However, TDP-43 and FUS also bind to DNA, although the significance of their DNA binding in disease-affected neurons has been less investigated. A recent observation of accumulated genomic damage in TDP-43 and FUS-linked ALS and association of FUS with neuronal DNA damage repair pathways indicate a possible role of deregulated DNA binding function of TDP-43 and FUS in ALS. In this review, we discuss the different ALS disease subtypes, crosstalk of etiopathologies in disease progression, available animal models and their limitations, and recent advances in understanding the specific involvement of RNA/DNA binding proteins, TDP-43 and FUS, in motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika N. Guerrero
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Centre for Neuroscience, Institute for Scientific Research and Technology Services (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama
- Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, India
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Joy Mitra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Pavana M. Hegde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sara E. Stowell
- Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York
| | - Nicole F Liachko
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Ralph M. Garruto
- Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York
| | - K. S. Rao
- Centre for Neuroscience, Institute for Scientific Research and Technology Services (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama
- Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, India
| | - Muralidhar L. Hegde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas 77030 USA
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
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38
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Nolan M, Talbot K, Ansorge O. Pathogenesis of FUS-associated ALS and FTD: insights from rodent models. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:99. [PMID: 27600654 PMCID: PMC5011941 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0358-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruptions to genes linked to RNA processing and homeostasis are implicated in the pathogenesis of two pathologically related but clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mutations in the Fused-in-Sarcoma (FUS) gene encoding a 526 amino-acid RNA-binding protein are found in a small subset of ALS cases, but FUS mutations do not appear to be a direct cause of FTD. Structural and functional similarities between FUS and another ALS-related RNA-binding protein, TDP-43, highlight the potential importance of aberrant RNA processing in ALS/FTD, and this pathway is now a major focus of interest. Recently, several research groups have reported transgenic vertebrate models of FUSopathy, with varying results. Here, we discuss the evidence for FUS pathogenicity in ALS/FTD, review the experimental approaches used and phenotypic features of FUS rodent models reported to date, and outline their contribution to our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms. Further refinement of vertebrate models will likely aid our understanding of the role of FUS in both diseases.
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39
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Swetha RG, Ramaiah S, Anbarasu A. R521C and R521H mutations in FUS result in weak binding with Karyopherinβ2 leading to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a molecular docking and dynamics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 35:2169-2185. [PMID: 27381509 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1209130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene encodes the RNA binding protein FUS. This gene is mapped to chromosome 16p11.2. The FUS protein binds with karyopherineβ2 (Kapβ2) through its proline/tyrosine nuclear localization signal (PY-NLS) that helps in the localization of FUS protein within the nucleus. Arginine residue in 521 position (R521) of PY-NLS plays a vital role in the binding of FUS protein with Kapβ2. Mutations in this position (R521C and R521H) are the most predominant mutations associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the mechanism by which these mutations lead to ALS is poorly understood. We examined the binding behaviour of the mutants FUS (R521C) and FUS (R521H) with Kapβ2 through protein-protein docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The binding patterns of mutants were compared with the binding behaviour of wild FUS-Kapβ2. Our results suggest that these mutants have relatively weak binding affinity with Kapβ2 when compared with wild FUS-Kapβ2 as indicated by the lesser number of interactions found between the mutant FUS and Kapβ2. Hence, these mutations weakens the binding and this results in the cytoplasmic mislocalization of mutant FUS; and thereby it increases the severity of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayapadi G Swetha
- a Medical & Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology , VIT University , Vellore 632 014 , Tamil Nadu , India
| | - Sudha Ramaiah
- a Medical & Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology , VIT University , Vellore 632 014 , Tamil Nadu , India
| | - Anand Anbarasu
- a Medical & Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology , VIT University , Vellore 632 014 , Tamil Nadu , India
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40
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Woollacott IOC, Rohrer JD. The clinical spectrum of sporadic and familial forms of frontotemporal dementia. J Neurochem 2016; 138 Suppl 1:6-31. [PMID: 27144467 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The term frontotemporal dementia (FTD) describes a clinically, genetically and pathologically diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders. Symptoms of FTD can present in individuals in their 20s through to their 90s, but the mean age at onset is in the sixth decade. The most common presentation is with a change in personality and impaired social conduct (behavioural variant FTD). Less frequently patients present with language problems (primary progressive aphasia). Both of these groups of patients can develop motor features consistent with either motor neuron disease (usually the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis variant) or parkinsonism (most commonly a progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal syndrome). In about a third of cases FTD is familial, with mutations in the progranulin, microtubule-associated protein tau and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 genes being the major causes. Mutations in a number of other genes including TANK-binding kinase 1 are rare causes of familial FTD. This review aims to clarify the often confusing terminology of FTD, and outline the various clinical features and diagnostic criteria of sporadic and familial FTD syndromes. It will also discuss the current major challenges in FTD research and clinical practice, and potential areas for future research. This review clarifies the terminology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and summarizes the various clinical features and most recent diagnostic criteria of sporadic and familial FTD syndromes. It also discusses the current major challenges in FTD research and clinical practice, and highlights potential areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ione O C Woollacott
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
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41
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Akiyama T, Warita H, Kato M, Nishiyama A, Izumi R, Ikeda C, Kamada M, Suzuki N, Aoki M. Genotype-phenotype relationships in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with FUS/TLS mutations in Japan. Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:398-404. [PMID: 26823199 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We investigated possible genotype-phenotype correlations in Japanese patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) carrying fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) gene mutations. METHODS A consecutive series of 111 Japanese FALS pedigrees were screened for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and FUS/TLS gene mutations. Clinical data, including onset age, onset site, disease duration, and extramotor symptoms, were collected. RESULTS Nine different FUS/TLS mutations were found in 12 pedigrees. Most of the patients with FUS/TLS-linked FALS demonstrated early onset in the brainstem/upper cervical region, and relatively short disease duration. A few mutations exhibited phenotypes that were distinct from typical cases. Frontotemporal dementia was present in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a characteristic phenotype in FUS/TLS-linked FALS patients in Japan. FUS/TLS screening is recommended in patients with FALS with this phenotype. Muscle Nerve 54: 398-404, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akiyama
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kato
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Ayumi Nishiyama
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Rumiko Izumi
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Chikako Ikeda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaki Kamada
- Department of Neurological Intractable Disease Research, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
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42
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Hirayanagi K, Sato M, Furuta N, Makioka K, Ikeda Y. Juvenile-onset Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with a Frameshift FUS Gene Mutation Presenting Unique Neuroradiological Findings and Cognitive Impairment. Intern Med 2016; 55:689-93. [PMID: 26984092 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A 24-year-old Japanese woman developed anterocollis, weakness of the proximal arms, and subsequent cognitive impairment. A neurological examination revealed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) without a family history. Systemic muscle atrophy progressed rapidly. Cerebral MRI clearly exhibited high signal intensities along the bilateral pyramidal tracts. An analysis of the FUS gene revealed a heterozygous two-base pair deletion, c.1507-1508delAG (p.G504WfsX515). A subset of juvenile-onset familial/sporadic ALS cases with FUS gene mutations reportedly demonstrates mental retardation or learning difficulty. Our study emphasizes the importance of conducting a FUS gene analysis in juvenile-onset ALS cases, even when no family occurrence is confirmed.
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43
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King A, Troakes C, Smith B, Nolan M, Curran O, Vance C, Shaw CE, Al-Sarraj S. ALS-FUS pathology revisited: singleton FUS mutations and an unusual case with both a FUS and TARDBP mutation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2015; 3:62. [PMID: 26452761 PMCID: PMC4600255 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-015-0235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mutations in the FUS gene have been shown to be a rare cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-FUS) and whilst well documented clinically and genetically there have been relatively few neuropathological studies.Recent work suggested a possible correlation between pathological features such as frequency of basophilic inclusions in neurons and rate of clinical decline, other studies have revealed a discrepancy between the upper motor neuron features detected clinically and the associated pathology. The purpose of this study was to describe the pathological features associated with more recently discovered FUS mutations and reinvestigate those with well recognised mutations in an attempt to correlate the pathology with mutation and/or clinical phenotype. The brains and spinal cords of seven cases of ALS-FUS were examined neuropathologically, including cases with the newly described p.K510E mutation and a case with both a known p.P525L mutation in the FUS gene and a truncating p.Y374X mutation in the TARDBP gene. Results The neuropathology in all cases revealed basophilic and FUS inclusions in the cord. The density and type of inclusions varied markedly between cases, but did not allow a clear correlation with clinical progression. Only one case showed significant motor cortical pathology despite the upper motor neuron clinical features being evident in 4 patients. The case with both a FUS and TARDBP mutation revealed FUS positive inclusions but no TDP-43 pathology. Instead there were unusual p62 positive, FUS negative neuronal and glial inclusions as well as dot-like neurites. Conclusions The study confirms cases of ALS-FUS to be mainly a lower motor neuron disease and to have pathology that does not appear to neatly correlate with clinical features or genetics. Furthermore, the case with both a FUS and TARDBP mutation reveals an intriguing pathological profile which at least in part involves a very unusual staining pattern for the ubiquitin-binding protein p62.
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Burke KA, Janke AM, Rhine CL, Fawzi NL. Residue-by-Residue View of In Vitro FUS Granules that Bind the C-Terminal Domain of RNA Polymerase II. Mol Cell 2015; 60:231-41. [PMID: 26455390 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 626] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Phase-separated states of proteins underlie ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules and nuclear RNA-binding protein assemblies that may nucleate protein inclusions associated with neurodegenerative diseases. We report that the N-terminal low-complexity domain of the RNA-binding protein Fused in Sarcoma (FUS LC) is structurally disordered and forms a liquid-like phase-separated state resembling RNP granules. This state directly binds the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Phase-separated FUS lacks static structures as probed by fluorescence microscopy, indicating they are distinct from both protein inclusions and hydrogels. We use solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to directly probe the dynamic architecture within FUS liquid phase-separated assemblies. Importantly, we find that FUS LC retains disordered secondary structure even in the liquid phase-separated state. Therefore, we propose that disordered protein granules, even those made of aggregation-prone prion-like domains, are dynamic and disordered molecular assemblies with transiently formed protein-protein contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Burke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Abigail M Janke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Christy L Rhine
- Graduate Program in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Nicolas L Fawzi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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Benussi A, Padovani A, Borroni B. Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Monogenic Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:171. [PMID: 26388768 PMCID: PMC4555036 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a genetically and pathologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by personality changes, language impairment, and deficits of executive functions associated with frontal and temporal lobe degeneration. Different phenotypes have been defined on the basis of presenting clinical symptoms, i.e., the behavioral variant of FTD, the agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia, and the semantic variant of PPA. Some patients have an associated movement disorder, either parkinsonism, as in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome, or motor neuron disease (FTD-MND). A family history of dementia is found in 40% of cases of FTD and about 10% have a clear autosomal-dominant inheritance. Genetic studies have identified several genes associated with monogenic FTD: microtubule-associated protein tau, progranulin, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, valosin-containing protein, charged multivesicular body protein 2B, fused in sarcoma, and the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in intron 1 of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72. Patients often present with an extensive phenotypic variability, even among different members of the same kindred carrying an identical disease mutation. The objective of the present work is to review and evaluate available literature data in order to highlight recent advances in clinical, biological, and neuroimaging features of monogenic frontotemporal lobar degeneration and try to identify different mechanisms underlying the extreme phenotypic heterogeneity that characterizes this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Donnelly CJ, Grima JC, Sattler R. Aberrant RNA homeostasis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: potential for new therapeutic targets? Neurodegener Dis Manag 2015; 4:417-37. [PMID: 25531686 DOI: 10.2217/nmt.14.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration. The disease pathogenesis is multifaceted in that multiple cellular and molecular pathways have been identified as contributors to the disease progression. Consequently, numerous therapeutic targets have been pursued for clinical development, unfortunately with little success. The recent discovery of mutations in RNA modulating genes such as TARDBP/TDP-43, FUS/TLS or C9ORF72 changed our understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms in ALS and introduced the role of dysfunctional RNA processing as a significant contributor to disease pathogenesis. This article discusses the latest findings on such RNA toxicity pathways in ALS and potential novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Donnelly
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Tarlarini C, Lunetta C, Mosca L, Avemaria F, Riva N, Mantero V, Maestri E, Quattrini A, Corbo M, Melazzini MG, Penco S. Novel FUS mutations identified through molecular screening in a large cohort of familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2015; 22:1474-81. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Tarlarini
- Medical Genetics Unit; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - C. Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO); Fondazione Serena Onlus; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - L. Mosca
- Medical Genetics Unit; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - F. Avemaria
- Medical Genetics Unit; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - N. Riva
- Neuropathology Unit; Institute of Experimental Neurology and Division of Neuroscience; IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Milan Italy
| | - V. Mantero
- Neurological Department; A. Manzoni Hospital; Lecco Italy
| | - E. Maestri
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO); Fondazione Serena Onlus; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - A. Quattrini
- Neuropathology Unit; Institute of Experimental Neurology and Division of Neuroscience; IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Milan Italy
| | - M. Corbo
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO); Fondazione Serena Onlus; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences; Casa Cura Policlinico; Milan Italy
| | - M. G. Melazzini
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO); Fondazione Serena Onlus; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
| | - S. Penco
- Medical Genetics Unit; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital; Milan Italy
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Vrabec K, Koritnik B, Leonardis L, Dolenc-Grošelj L, Zidar J, Smith B, Vance C, Shaw C, Rogelj B, Glavač D, Ravnik-Glavač M. Genetic analysis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Slovenian population. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:1601.e17-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ng ASL, Rademakers R, Miller BL. Frontotemporal dementia: a bridge between dementia and neuromuscular disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2014; 1338:71-93. [PMID: 25557955 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The concept that frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a purely cortical dementia has largely been refuted by the recognition of its close association with motor neuron disease, and the identification of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) as a major pathological substrate underlying both diseases. Genetic findings have transformed this field and revealed connections between disorders that were previous thought clinically unrelated. The discovery that the C9ORF72 locus is responsible for the majority of hereditary FTD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and FTD-ALS cases and the understanding that repeat-containing RNA plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of both disorders has paved the way for the development of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these devastating diseases. In this review, we summarize the historical aspects leading up to our current understanding of the genetic, clinical, and neuropathological overlap between FTD and ALS, and include brief discussions on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), given its association with TDP-43 pathology, its associated increased dementia risk, and reports of ALS in CTE patients. In addition, we describe other genetic associations between dementia and neuromuscular disease, such as inclusion body myositis with Paget's disease and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline S L Ng
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Novena, Singapore
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Abstract
Members of the FET protein family, consisting of FUS, EWSR1, and TAF15, bind to RNA and contribute to the control of transcription, RNA processing, and the cytoplasmic fates of messenger RNAs in metazoa. FET proteins can also bind DNA, which may be important in transcription and DNA damage responses. FET proteins are of medical interest because chromosomal rearrangements of their genes promote various sarcomas and because point mutations in FUS or TAF15 can cause neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar dementia. Recent results suggest that both the normal and pathological effects of FET proteins are modulated by low-complexity or prion-like domains, which can form higher-order assemblies with novel interaction properties. Herein, we review FET proteins with an emphasis on how the biochemical properties of FET proteins may relate to their biological functions and to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Schwartz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309; , ,
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