Altered RNA metabolism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
Ashok Verma

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease in adults. Typically, patients with ALS develop progressive weakness resulting, eventually, in respiratory muscle paralysis and death in 3-5 years after the onset of the disease. No definite therapy currently exists for ALS. The biologic basis of the disease is unknown. However, ALS research has taken a dramatic turn over the last 3 years. Landmark discoveries of mutations in the transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) as causative of ALS and demonstration that abnormal aggregation of these proteins is the proximate cause of motor neuron loss in familial and sporadic ALS have initiated a paradigm shift in understanding the pathogenic mechanism of this disease. TDP-43 and FUS/TLS are DNA/RNA-binding proteins with striking structural and functional similarities. This article reviews the current direction of research efforts toward understanding the role of RNA (ribonucleic acid) processing regulation in ALS and possible therapeutic pathways in this fatal disease.

Citations

Mar 2, 2016·PhytoKeys·Lars SöderströmRui-Liang Zhu
Oct 19, 2016·Neurobiology of Disease·Aurore NkilizaMarie-Christine Chartier-Harlin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
ubiquitination
transgenic

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amyloid Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease associated with the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles. Discover the latest research on ALS here.

ALS: Genetics

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle weakness. Here is the latest research investigating genetic alterations in this genetically heterogeneous disorder.

ALS: Pathogenic Mechanisms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle weakness. Here is the latest research investigating pathogenic mechanisms that underlie this genetically heterogeneous disorder.

ALS: Genetics

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle weakness. ALS is a genetically heterogeneous disorder with several causative genes. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to the genetics of this disease.

ALS & FTD: TDP-43

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a pathological protein identified in sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to TDP-43 and these diseases.