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Odierna GL, Vucic S, Dyer M, Dickson T, Woodhouse A, Blizzard C. How do we get from hyperexcitability to excitotoxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Brain 2024; 147:1610-1621. [PMID: 38408864 PMCID: PMC11068114 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae039] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that, at present, has no effective cure. Evidence of increased circulating glutamate and hyperexcitability of the motor cortex in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have provided an empirical support base for the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis. The hypothesis postulates that increased activation of upper motor neurons spreads pathology to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord in the form of excessive glutamate release, which triggers excitotoxic processes. Many clinical trials have focused on therapies that target excitotoxicity via dampening neuronal activation, but not all are effective. As such, there is a growing tension between the rising tide of evidence for the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis and the failure of therapies that target neuronal activation. One possible solution to these contradictory outcomes is that our interpretation of the current evidence requires revision in the context of appreciating the complexity of the nervous system and the limitations of the neurobiological assays we use to study it. In this review we provide an evaluation of evidence relevant to the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis and by doing so, identify key gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed. We hope to provide a road map from hyperexcitability to excitotoxicity so that we can better develop therapies for patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We conclude that studies of upper motor neuron activity and their synaptic output will play a decisive role in the future of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lorenzo Odierna
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
| | - Marcus Dyer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tracey Dickson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Adele Woodhouse
- The Wicking Dementia Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Catherine Blizzard
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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2
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Kurosaki T, Rambout X, Maquat LE. FMRP-mediated spatial regulation of physiologic NMD targets in neuronal cells. Genome Biol 2024; 25:31. [PMID: 38263082 PMCID: PMC10804635 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In non-polarized cells, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) generally begins during the translation of newly synthesized mRNAs after the mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm. Binding of the FMRP translational repressor to UPF1 on NMD targets mainly inhibits NMD. However, in polarized cells like neurons, FMRP additionally localizes mRNAs to cellular projections. Here, we review the literature and evaluate available transcriptomic data to conclude that, in neurons, the translation of physiologic NMD targets bound by FMRP is partially inhibited until the mRNAs localize to projections. There, FMRP displacement in response to signaling induces a burst in protein synthesis followed by rapid mRNA decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuaki Kurosaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Xavier Rambout
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Lynne E Maquat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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3
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García Morato J, Gloeckner CJ, Kahle PJ. Proteomics elucidating physiological and pathological functions of TDP-43. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200410. [PMID: 37671599 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200410] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Trans-activation response DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) regulates a great variety of cellular processes in the nucleus and cytosol. In addition, a defined subset of neurodegenerative diseases is characterized by nuclear depletion of TDP-43 as well as cytosolic mislocalization and aggregation. To perform its diverse functions TDP-43 can associate with different ribonucleoprotein complexes. Combined with transcriptomics, MS interactome studies have unveiled associations between TDP-43 and the spliceosome machinery, polysomes and RNA granules. Moreover, the highly dynamic, low-valency interactions regulated by its low-complexity domain calls for innovative proximity labeling methodologies. In addition to protein partners, the analysis of post-translational modifications showed that they may play a role in the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, RNA binding, liquid-liquid phase separation and protein aggregation of TDP-43. Here we review the various TDP-43 ribonucleoprotein complexes characterized so far, how they contribute to the diverse functions of TDP-43, and roles of post-translational modifications. Further understanding of the fluid dynamic properties of TDP-43 in ribonucleoprotein complexes, RNA granules, and self-assemblies will advance the understanding of RNA processing in cells and perhaps help to develop novel therapeutic approaches for TDPopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge García Morato
- Laboratory of Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurodegeneration, German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Johannes Gloeckner
- Research Group Functional Neuroproteomics, German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
- Core Facility for Medical Bioanalytics, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp J Kahle
- Laboratory of Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurodegeneration, German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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4
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Pisciottani A, Croci L, Lauria F, Marullo C, Savino E, Ambrosi A, Podini P, Marchioretto M, Casoni F, Cremona O, Taverna S, Quattrini A, Cioni JM, Viero G, Codazzi F, Consalez GG. Neuronal models of TDP-43 proteinopathy display reduced axonal translation, increased oxidative stress, and defective exocytosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1253543. [PMID: 38026702 PMCID: PMC10679756 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1253543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, lethal neurodegenerative disease mostly affecting people around 50-60 years of age. TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein involved in pre-mRNA splicing and controlling mRNA stability and translation, forms neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in an overwhelming majority of ALS patients, a phenomenon referred to as TDP-43 proteinopathy. These cytoplasmic aggregates disrupt mRNA transport and localization. The axon, like dendrites, is a site of mRNA translation, permitting the local synthesis of selected proteins. This is especially relevant in upper and lower motor neurons, whose axon spans long distances, likely accentuating their susceptibility to ALS-related noxae. In this work we have generated and characterized two cellular models, consisting of virtually pure populations of primary mouse cortical neurons expressing a human TDP-43 fusion protein, wt or carrying an ALS mutation. Both forms facilitate cytoplasmic aggregate formation, unlike the corresponding native proteins, giving rise to bona fide primary culture models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Neurons expressing TDP-43 fusion proteins exhibit a global impairment in axonal protein synthesis, an increase in oxidative stress, and defects in presynaptic function and electrical activity. These changes correlate with deregulation of axonal levels of polysome-engaged mRNAs playing relevant roles in the same processes. Our data support the emerging notion that deregulation of mRNA metabolism and of axonal mRNA transport may trigger the dying-back neuropathy that initiates motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pisciottani
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Croci
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Lauria
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Chiara Marullo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Savino
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ambrosi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Casoni
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ottavio Cremona
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Taverna
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Michel Cioni
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Franca Codazzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Giacomo Consalez
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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5
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Aly A, Laszlo ZI, Rajkumar S, Demir T, Hindley N, Lamont DJ, Lehmann J, Seidel M, Sommer D, Franz-Wachtel M, Barletta F, Heumos S, Czemmel S, Kabashi E, Ludolph A, Boeckers TM, Henstridge CM, Catanese A. Integrative proteomics highlight presynaptic alterations and c-Jun misactivation as convergent pathomechanisms in ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:451-475. [PMID: 37488208 PMCID: PMC10412488 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02611-y] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting upper and lower motoneurons. Several functionally heterogeneous genes have been associated with the familial form of this disorder (fALS), depicting an extremely complex pathogenic landscape. This heterogeneity has limited the identification of an effective therapy, and this bleak prognosis will only improve with a greater understanding of convergent disease mechanisms. Recent evidence from human post-mortem material and diverse model systems has highlighted the synapse as a crucial structure actively involved in disease progression, suggesting that synaptic aberrations might represent a shared pathological feature across the ALS spectrum. To test this hypothesis, we performed the first comprehensive analysis of the synaptic proteome from post-mortem spinal cord and human iPSC-derived motoneurons carrying mutations in the major ALS genes. This integrated approach highlighted perturbations in the molecular machinery controlling vesicle release as a shared pathomechanism in ALS. Mechanistically, phosphoproteomic analysis linked the presynaptic vesicular phenotype to an accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates and to the pro-apoptotic activation of the transcription factor c-Jun, providing detailed insights into the shared pathobiochemistry in ALS. Notably, sub-chronic treatment of our iPSC-derived motoneurons with the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid exerted a neuroprotective effect by efficiently rescuing the alterations revealed by our multidisciplinary approach. Together, this study provides strong evidence for the central and convergent role played by the synaptic microenvironment within the ALS spinal cord and highlights a potential therapeutic target that counteracts degeneration in a heterogeneous cohort of human motoneuron cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Aly
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Zsofia I Laszlo
- Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tugba Demir
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nicole Hindley
- Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Douglas J Lamont
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, Discovery Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Johannes Lehmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mira Seidel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Francesca Barletta
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon Heumos
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Biomedical Data Science, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Czemmel
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Laboratory of Translational Research for Neurological Disorders, Imagine Institute, Université de Paris, INSERM, UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm Site, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm Site, Germany
| | - Christopher M Henstridge
- Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
| | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm Site, Germany.
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6
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Janković T, Pilipović K. Single Versus Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury: Current Knowledge on the Chronic Outcomes, Neuropathology and the Role of TDP-43 Proteinopathy. Exp Neurobiol 2023; 32:195-215. [PMID: 37749924 PMCID: PMC10569144 DOI: 10.5607/en23008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most important causes of death and disability in adults and thus an important public health problem. Following TBI, secondary pathophysiological processes develop over time and condition the development of different neurodegenerative entities. Previous studies suggest that neurobehavioral changes occurring after a single TBI are the basis for the development of Alzheimer's disease, while repetitive TBI is considered to be a contributing factor for chronic traumatic encephalopathy development. However, pathophysiological processes that determine the evolvement of a particular chronic entity are still unclear. Human post-mortem studies have found combinations of amyloid, tau, Lewi bodies, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathologies after both single and repetitive TBI. This review focuses on the pathological changes of TDP-43 after single and repetitive brain traumas. Numerous studies have shown that TDP-43 proteinopathy noticeably occurs after repetitive head trauma. A relatively small number of available preclinical research on single brain injury are not in complete agreement with the results from the human samples, which makes it difficult to draw specific conclusions. Also, as TBI is considered a heterogeneous type of injury, different experimental trauma models and injury intensities may cause differences in the cascade of secondary injury, which should be considered in future studies. Experimental and post-mortem studies of TDP-43 pathobiology should be carried out, preferably in the same laboratories, to determine its involvement in the development of neurodegenerative conditions after one and repetitive TBI, especially in the context of the development of new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Janković
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka 51000, Croatia
| | - Kristina Pilipović
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka 51000, Croatia
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7
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Bauer KE, de Queiroz BR, Kiebler MA, Besse F. RNA granules in neuronal plasticity and disease. Trends Neurosci 2023:S0166-2236(23)00104-2. [PMID: 37202301 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
RNA granules are dynamic entities controlling the spatiotemporal distribution and translation of RNA molecules. In neurons, a variety of RNA granules exist both in the soma and in cellular processes. They contain transcripts encoding signaling and synaptic proteins as well as RNA-binding proteins causally linked to several neurological disorders. In this review, we highlight that neuronal RNA granules exhibit properties of biomolecular condensates that are regulated upon maturation and physiological aging and how they are reversibly remodeled in response to neuronal activity to control local protein synthesis and ultimately synaptic plasticity. Moreover, we propose a framework of how neuronal RNA granules mature over time in healthy conditions and how they transition into pathological inclusions in the context of late-onset neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl E Bauer
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Bruna R de Queiroz
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Michael A Kiebler
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Florence Besse
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France.
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8
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Chu YP, Jin LW, Wang LC, Ho PC, Wei WY, Tsai KJ. Transthyretin attenuates TDP-43 proteinopathy by autophagy activation via ATF4 in FTLD-TDP. Brain 2023; 146:2089-2106. [PMID: 36355566 PMCID: PMC10411944 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac412] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) proteinopathies are accompanied by the pathological hallmark of cytoplasmic inclusions in the neurodegenerative diseases, including frontal temporal lobar degeneration-TDP and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We found that transthyretin accumulates with TDP-43 cytoplasmic inclusions in frontal temporal lobar degeneration-TDP human patients and transgenic mice, in which transthyretin exhibits dramatic expression decline in elderly mice. The upregulation of transthyretin expression was demonstrated to facilitate the clearance of cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions through autophagy, in which transthyretin induces autophagy upregulation via ATF4. Of interest, transthyretin upregulated ATF4 expression and promoted ATF4 nuclear import, presenting physical interaction. Neuronal expression of transthyretin in frontal temporal lobar degeneration-TDP mice restored autophagy function and facilitated early soluble TDP-43 aggregates for autophagosome targeting, ameliorating neuropathology and behavioural deficits. Thus, transthyretin conducted two-way regulations by either inducing autophagy activation or escorting TDP-43 aggregates targeted autophagosomes, suggesting that transthyretin is a potential modulator therapy for neurological disorders caused by TDP-43 proteinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ping Chu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Lee-Way Jin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, CA, USA
| | - Liang-Chao Wang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Ho
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yen Wei
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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9
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Nam J, Gwon Y. Neuronal biomolecular condensates and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1145420. [PMID: 37065458 PMCID: PMC10102667 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1145420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular organizations where functionally related proteins and nucleic acids are assembled through liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing them to develop on a larger scale without a membrane. However, biomolecular condensates are highly vulnerable to disruptions from genetic risks and various factors inside and outside the cell and are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the classical view of the nucleation-polymerization process that triggers the protein aggregation from the misfolded seed, the pathologic transition of biomolecular condensates can also promote the aggregation of proteins found in the deposits of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that several protein or protein-RNA complexes located in the synapse and along the neuronal process are neuron-specific condensates displaying liquid-like properties. As their compositional and functional modifications play a crucial role in the context of neurodegeneration, further research is needed to fully understand the role of neuronal biomolecular condensates. In this article, we will discuss recent findings that explore the pivotal role of biomolecular condensates in the development of neuronal defects and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngdae Gwon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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10
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Gulino R. Synaptic Dysfunction and Plasticity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054613. [PMID: 36902042 PMCID: PMC10003601 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has supported the hypothesis that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multi-step disease, as the onset of symptoms occurs after sequential exposure to a defined number of risk factors. Despite the lack of precise identification of these disease determinants, it is known that genetic mutations may contribute to one or more of the steps leading to ALS onset, the remaining being linked to environmental factors and lifestyle. It also appears evident that compensatory plastic changes taking place at all levels of the nervous system during ALS etiopathogenesis may likely counteract the functional effects of neurodegeneration and affect the timing of disease onset and progression. Functional and structural events of synaptic plasticity probably represent the main mechanisms underlying this adaptive capability, causing a significant, although partial and transient, resiliency of the nervous system affected by a neurodegenerative disease. On the other hand, the failure of synaptic functions and plasticity may be part of the pathological process. The aim of this review was to summarize what it is known today about the controversial involvement of synapses in ALS etiopathogenesis, and an analysis of the literature, although not exhaustive, confirmed that synaptic dysfunction is an early pathogenetic process in ALS. Moreover, it appears that adequate modulation of structural and functional synaptic plasticity may likely support function sparing and delay disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Gulino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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11
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Gelon PA, Dutchak PA, Sephton CF. Synaptic dysfunction in ALS and FTD: anatomical and molecular changes provide insights into mechanisms of disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1000183. [PMID: 36263379 PMCID: PMC9575515 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic loss is a pathological feature of all neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ALS is a disease of the cortical and spinal motor neurons resulting in fatal paralysis due to denervation of muscles. FTD is a form of dementia that primarily affects brain regions controlling cognition, language and behavior. Once classified as two distinct diseases, ALS and FTD are now considered as part of a common disease spectrum based on overlapping clinical, pathological and genetic evidence. At the cellular level, aggregation of common proteins and overlapping gene susceptibilities are shared in both ALS and FTD. Despite the convergence of these two fields of research, the underlying disease mechanisms remain elusive. However, recent discovers from ALS and FTD patient studies and models of ALS/FTD strongly suggests that synaptic dysfunction is an early event in the disease process and a unifying hallmark of these diseases. This review provides a summary of the reported anatomical and cellular changes that occur in cortical and spinal motor neurons in ALS and FTD tissues and models of disease. We also highlight studies that identify changes in the proteome and transcriptome of ALS and FTD models and provide a conceptual overview of the processes that contribute to synaptic dysfunction in these diseases. Due to space limitations and the vast number of publications in the ALS and FTD fields, many articles have not been discussed in this review. As such, this review focuses on the three most common shared mutations in ALS and FTD, the hexanucleuotide repeat expansion within intron 1 of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72), transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TARDBP or TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS), with the intention of highlighting common pathways that promote synaptic dysfunction in the ALS-FTD disease spectrum.
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12
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Shi W, Tan C, Liu C, Chen D. Mitochondrial fission mediated by Drp1-Fis1 pathway and neurodegenerative diseases. Rev Neurosci 2022; 34:275-294. [PMID: 36059131 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2022-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the role of mitochondrial dynamics in neurodegenerative diseases has becoming increasingly important. More and more evidences have shown that in pathological conditions, abnormal mitochondrial divisions, especially Drp1-Fis1-mediated divisions, play an important role in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, glaucoma, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights several new mechanisms of physiological fission of mitochondria and the difference/connection of physiological/pathological mitochondrial fission. In addition, we described the relationship between abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and neurodegenerative diseases in detail and emphatically summarized its detection indicators in basic experiments, trying to provide references for further mechanism exploration and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Shi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Cheng Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Can Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
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Keszycki R, Jamshidi P, Kawles A, Minogue G, Flanagan ME, Zaccard CR, Mesulam MM, Gefen T, Geula C. Propagation of TDP-43 proteinopathy in neurodegenerative disorders. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:1498-1500. [PMID: 34916432 PMCID: PMC8771119 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.330609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Keszycki
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pouya Jamshidi
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Allegra Kawles
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grace Minogue
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Margaret E. Flanagan
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Colleen R. Zaccard
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M.-Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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14
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Bjork RT, Mortimore NP, Loganathan S, Zarnescu DC. Dysregulation of Translation in TDP-43 Proteinopathies: Deficits in the RNA Supply Chain and Local Protein Production. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:840357. [PMID: 35321094 PMCID: PMC8935057 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.840357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Local control of gene expression provides critical mechanisms for regulating development, maintenance and plasticity in the nervous system. Among the strategies known to govern gene expression locally, mRNA transport and translation have emerged as essential for a neuron’s ability to navigate developmental cues, and to establish, strengthen and remove synaptic connections throughout lifespan. Substantiating the role of RNA processing in the nervous system, several RNA binding proteins have been implicated in both developmental and age dependent neurodegenerative disorders. Of these, TDP-43 is an RNA binding protein that has emerged as a common denominator in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders due to the identification of causative mutations altering its function and its accumulation in cytoplasmic aggregates observed in a significant fraction of ALS/FTD cases, regardless of etiology. TDP-43 is involved in multiple aspects of RNA processing including splicing, transport and translation. Given that one of the early events in disease pathogenesis is mislocalization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, several studies have focused on elucidating the pathogenic role of TDP-43 in cytoplasmic translation. Here we review recent findings describing TDP-43 translational targets and potential mechanisms of translation dysregulation in TDP-43 proteinopathies across multiple experimental models including cultured cells, flies, mice and patient derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed T. Bjork
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Nicholas P. Mortimore
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Daniela C. Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Daniela C. Zarnescu,
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15
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Structure-Based Analysis of Protein Cluster Size for Super-Resolution Microscopy in the Nervous System. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020295. [PMID: 35203503 PMCID: PMC8869149 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To overcome the diffraction limit and resolve target structures in greater detail, far-field super-resolution techniques such as stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) have been developed, and different STORM algorithms have been developed to deal with the various problems that arise. In particular, the effect of the local structure is an important issue. For objects with closely correlated distributions, simple Gaussian-based localization algorithms often used in STORM imaging misinterpret overlapping point spread functions (PSFs) as one, which limits the ability of super-resolution imaging to resolve nanoscale local structures and leads to inaccurate length measurements. The STORM super-resolution images of biological specimens from the cluster-forming proteins in the nervous system were reconstructed for localization-based analysis. Generally, the localization of each fluorophore was determined by two-dimensional Gaussian function fitting. Further, the physical shape of the cluster structure information was incorporated into the size parameter of the localization structure analysis in order to generate structure-based fitting algorithms. In the present study, we proposed a novel, structure-based, super-resolution image analysis method: structure-based analysis (SBA), which combines a structural function and a super-resolution localization algorithm. Using SBA, we estimated the size of fluorescent beads, inclusion proteins, and subtle synaptic structures in both wide-field and STORM images. The results show that SBA has a comparable and often superior performance to the commonly used full width at half maximum (FWHM) parameter. We demonstrated that SBA is able to estimate molecular cluster sizes in far-field super-resolution STORM images, and that SBA was comparable and often superior to FWHM. We also certified that SBA provides size estimations that corroborate previously published electron microscopy data.
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16
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Differential Expression Patterns of TDP-43 in Single Moderate versus Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212211. [PMID: 34830093 PMCID: PMC8621440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disabling disorder and a major cause of death and disability in the world. Both single and repetitive traumas affect the brain acutely but can also lead to chronic neurodegenerative changes. Clinical studies have shown some dissimilarities in transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) expression patterns following single versus repetitive TBI. We explored the acute cortical post-traumatic changes of TDP-43 using the lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI) model of single moderate TBI in adult male mice and investigated the association of TDP-43 with post-traumatic neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity. In the ipsilateral cortices of animals following LFPI, we found changes in the cytoplasmic and nuclear levels of TDP-43 and the decreased expression of postsynaptic protein 95 within the first 3 d post-injury. Subacute pathological changes of TDP-43 in the hippocampi of animals following LFPI and in mice exposed to repetitive mild TBI (rmTBI) were studied. Changes in the hippocampal TDP-43 expression patterns at 14 d following different brain trauma procedures showed pathological alterations only after single moderate, but not following rmTBI. Hippocampal LFPI-induced TDP-43 pathology was not accompanied by the microglial reaction, contrary to the findings after rmTBI, suggesting that different types of brain trauma may cause diverse pathophysiological changes in the brain, specifically related to the TDP-43 protein as well as to the microglial reaction. Taken together, our findings may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological events following brain trauma.
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Catanese A, Rajkumar S, Sommer D, Freisem D, Wirth A, Aly A, Massa‐López D, Olivieri A, Torelli F, Ioannidis V, Lipecka J, Guerrera IC, Zytnicki D, Ludolph A, Kabashi E, Mulaw MA, Roselli F, Böckers TM. Synaptic disruption and CREB-regulated transcription are restored by K + channel blockers in ALS. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13131. [PMID: 34125498 PMCID: PMC8261490 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, which is still missing effective therapeutic strategies. Although manipulation of neuronal excitability has been tested in murine and human ALS models, it is still under debate whether neuronal activity might represent a valid target for efficient therapies. In this study, we exploited a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, optogenetics and pharmacological approaches to investigate the activity-related pathological features of iPSC-derived C9orf72-mutant motoneurons (MN). We found that human ALSC9orf72 MN are characterized by accumulation of aberrant aggresomes, reduced expression of synaptic genes, loss of synaptic contacts and a dynamic "malactivation" of the transcription factor CREB. A similar phenotype was also found in TBK1-mutant MN and upon overexpression of poly(GA) aggregates in primary neurons, indicating a strong convergence of pathological phenotypes on synaptic dysregulation. Notably, these alterations, along with neuronal survival, could be rescued by treating ALS-related neurons with the K+ channel blockers Apamin and XE991, which, respectively, target the SK and the Kv7 channels. Thus, our study shows that restoring the activity-dependent transcriptional programme and synaptic composition exerts a neuroprotective effect on ALS disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Daniel Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Dennis Freisem
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Alexander Wirth
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Amr Aly
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - David Massa‐López
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)Ulm siteUlmGermany
| | - Andrea Olivieri
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Federica Torelli
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Valentin Ioannidis
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Joanna Lipecka
- Proteomics platform NeckerINSERM US24/CNRS UMS3633Université de Paris – Structure Fédérative de Recherche NeckerParisFrance
| | - Ida Chiara Guerrera
- Proteomics platform NeckerINSERM US24/CNRS UMS3633Université de Paris – Structure Fédérative de Recherche NeckerParisFrance
| | - Daniel Zytnicki
- SPPIN ‐ Saints‐Pères Paris Institute for the NeurosciencesCNRSUniversité de ParisParis, Paris
| | - Albert Ludolph
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)Ulm siteUlmGermany
- Department of NeurologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Institute of Translational Research for Neurological DisordersINSERM UMR 1163Imagine InstituteParisFrance
| | - Medhanie A Mulaw
- Internal Medicine I and Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell AgingMedical FacultyUniversity Hospital UlmUniversity of Ulm UniversityUlmGermany
| | - Francesco Roselli
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)Ulm siteUlmGermany
- Department of NeurologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
| | - Tobias M Böckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUlm University School of MedicineUlmGermany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)Ulm siteUlmGermany
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18
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Portz B, Lee BL, Shorter J. FUS and TDP-43 Phases in Health and Disease. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 46:550-563. [PMID: 33446423 PMCID: PMC8195841 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The distinct prion-like domains (PrLDs) of FUS and TDP-43, modulate phase transitions that result in condensates with a range of material states. These assemblies are implicated in both health and disease. In this review, we examine how sequence, structure, post-translational modifications, and RNA can affect the self-assembly of these RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). We discuss how our emerging understanding of FUS and TDP-43 liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and aggregation, could be leveraged to design new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bede Portz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bo Lim Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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