scholarly journals The role of hnRNPs in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-623
Author(s):  
Alexander Bampton ◽  
Lauren M. Gittings ◽  
Pietro Fratta ◽  
Tammaryn Lashley ◽  
Ariana Gatt
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Cryptic Exon ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Dysregulated RNA metabolism is emerging as a crucially important mechanism underpinning the pathogenesis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the clinically, genetically and pathologically overlapping disorder of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) comprise a family of RNA-binding proteins with diverse, multi-functional roles across all aspects of mRNA processing. The role of these proteins in neurodegeneration is far from understood. Here, we review some of the unifying mechanisms by which hnRNPs have been directly or indirectly linked with FTD/ALS pathogenesis, including their incorporation into pathological inclusions and their best-known roles in pre-mRNA splicing regulation. We also discuss the broader functionalities of hnRNPs including their roles in cryptic exon repression, stress granule assembly and in co-ordinating the DNA damage response, which are all emerging pathogenic themes in both diseases. We then present an integrated model that depicts how a broad-ranging network of pathogenic events can arise from declining levels of functional hnRNPs that are inadequately compensated for by autoregulatory means. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of the most functionally relevant cellular roles, in the context of FTD/ALS pathogenesis, for hnRNPs A1-U.

scholarly journals Connecting RNA-Modifying Similarities of TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 with MicroRNA Dysregulation Amidst A Renewed Network Perspective of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Proteinopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Pham ◽  
Matt Keon ◽  
Samuel Brennan ◽  
Nitin Saksena
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fused In Sarcoma ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Microrna Dysregulation ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Beyond traditional approaches in understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple recent studies in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs)—including transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS)—have instigated an interest in their function and prion-like properties. Given their prominence as hallmarks of a highly heterogeneous disease, this prompts a re-examination of the specific functional interrelationships between these proteins, especially as pathological SOD1—a non-RBP commonly associated with familial ALS (fALS)—exhibits similar properties to these RBPs including potential RNA-regulatory capabilities. Moreover, the cytoplasmic mislocalization, aggregation, and co-aggregation of TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 can be identified as proteinopathies akin to other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), eliciting strong ties to disrupted RNA splicing, transport, and stability. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have also been increasingly implicated in the disease, and are of greater significance as they are the master regulators of RNA metabolism in disease pathology. However, little is known about the role of these proteins and how they are regulated by miRNA, which would provide mechanistic insights into ALS pathogenesis. This review seeks to discuss current developments across TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 to build a detailed snapshot of the network pathophysiology underlying ALS while aiming to highlight possible novel therapeutic targets to guide future research.

scholarly journals Molecular Network Analysis Suggests a Logical Hypothesis for the Pathological Role of C9orf72 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. JCNSD.S18103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Ichi Satoh ◽  
Yoji Yamamoto ◽  
Shouta Kitano ◽  
Mika Takitani ◽  
Naohiro Asahina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Background Expanded GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats, ranging from hundreds to thousands in number, located in the noncoding region of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 ( C9orf72) gene represent the most common genetic abnormality for familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (abbreviated as C9ALS). Currently, three pathological mechanisms, such as haplo insufficiency of C9orf72, formation of nuclear RNA foci composed of sense and antisense repeats, and accumulation of unconventionally transcribed dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins, are proposed for C9ALS. However, at present, the central mechanism underlying neurodegeneration in C9ALS remains largely unknown. Methods By using three distinct pathway analysis tools of bioinformatics, we studied molecular networks involved in C9ALS pathology by focusing on C9orf72 omics datasets, such as proteome of C9orf72 repeat RNA-binding proteins, transcriptome of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived motor neurons of patients with C9ALS, and transcriptome of purified motor neurons of patients with C9ALS. Results We found that C9orf72 repeat RNA-binding proteins play a crucial role in the regulation of post-transcriptional RNA processing. The expression of a wide range of extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases was reduced in iPSC-derived motor neurons of patients with C9ALS. The regulation of RNA processing and cytoskeletal dynamics is disturbed in motor neurons of patients with C9ALS in vivo. Conclusions Bioinformatics data mining approach suggests a logical hypothesis that C9orf72 repeat expansions that deregulate post-transcriptional RNA processing disturb the homeostasis of cytoskeletal dynamics and remodeling of extracellular matrix, leading to degeneration of stress-vulnerable neurons in the brain and spinal cord of patients with C9ALS.

scholarly journals Gestörter Kerntransport und Phasentrennung von RNA-Bindeproteinen

BIOspektrum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-367
Author(s):  
Saskia Hutten ◽  
Dorothee Dormann
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal neurodegenerative disordes, whose underlying molecular mechanisms are only beginning to emerge. A common molecular hallmark of both diseases is the relocalization of nuclear RNA-binding proteins (RBP) into cytoplasmic aggregates. Defects in nuclear import and aberrant phase separation appear to underlie RBP mislocalization and aggregation and could potentially be targeted in future therapies.

scholarly journals RNA Is a Double-Edged Sword in ALS Pathogenesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. Zaepfel ◽  
Jeffrey D. Rothstein
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Metabolism ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Toxic Rna ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons. Familial ALS accounts for a small subset of cases (<10–15%) and is caused by dominant mutations in one of more than 10 known genes. Multiple genes have been causally or pathologically linked to both ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Many of these genes encode RNA-binding proteins, so the role of dysregulated RNA metabolism in neurodegeneration is being actively investigated. In addition to defects in RNA metabolism, recent studies provide emerging evidence into how RNA itself can contribute to the degeneration of both motor and cortical neurons. In this review, we discuss the roles of altered RNA metabolism and RNA-mediated toxicity in the context of TARDBP, FUS, and C9ORF72 mutations. Specifically, we focus on recent studies that describe toxic RNA as the potential initiator of disease, disease-associated defects in specific RNA metabolism pathways, as well as how RNA-based approaches can be used as potential therapies. Altogether, we highlight the importance of RNA-based investigations into the molecular progression of ALS, as well as the need for RNA-dependent structural studies of disease-linked RNA-binding proteins to identify clear therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains in health and disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (8) ◽  
pp. 1417-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Ford Harrison ◽  
James Shorter
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Fused In Sarcoma ◽  
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

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.

scholarly journals RNA-Binding Proteins in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Neurodegeneration

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott E. Ugras ◽  
James Shorter
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Inclusion Formation ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disease, which is universally fatal. While the causes of this devastating disease are poorly understood, recent advances have implicated RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that contain predicted prion domains as a major culprit. Specifically, mutations in the RBPs TDP-43 and FUS can cause ALS. Cytoplasmic mislocalization and inclusion formation are common pathological features of TDP-43 and FUS proteinopathies. Though these RBPs share striking pathological and structural similarities, considerable evidence suggests that the ALS-linked mutations in TDP-43 and FUS can cause disease by disparate mechanisms. In a recent study, Couthouis et al. screened for protein candidates that were also involved in RNA processing, contained a predicted prion domain, shared other phenotypic similarities with TDP-43 and FUS, and identified TAF15 as a putative ALS gene. Subsequent sequencing of ALS patients successfully identified ALS-linked mutations in TAF15 that were largely absent in control populations. This study underscores the important role that perturbations in RNA metabolism might play in neurodegeneration, and it raises the possibility that future studies will identify other RBPs with critical roles in neurodegenerative disease.

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