Lysosomal Dysfunctions in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias

Abstract Purpose of Review The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a group of disorders characterised by progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity. We address the challenges and controversies involved in the genetic diagnosis of HSP. Recent Findings There is a large and rapidly expanding list of genes implicated in HSP, making it difficult to keep gene testing panels updated. There is also a high degree of phenotypic overlap between HSP and other disorders, leading to problems in choosing the right panel to analyse. We discuss genetic testing strategies for overcoming these diagnostic hurdles, including the use of targeted sequencing gene panels, whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing. Personalised treatments for HSP are on the horizon, and a genetic diagnosis may hold the key to access these treatments. Summary Developing strategies to overcome the challenges and controversies in HSP may hold the key to a rapid and accurate genetic diagnosis.

Download Full-text

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias: Pictorial Review and Novel MR Imaging Findings

10.26226/morressier.614222d287a68d83cb5d420a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carolina Maia

Keyword(s):

Mr Imaging ◽

Imaging Findings ◽

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias ◽

Pictorial Review

Download Full-text

Spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP): A sham-controlled crossover study

Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine ◽

10.1080/10790268.2018.1543926 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Gianluca Ardolino ◽

Tommaso Bocci ◽

Martina Nigro ◽

Maurizio Vergari ◽

Alessio Di Fonzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crossover Study ◽

Direct Current ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias

Download Full-text

Insights into Clinical, Genetic, and Pathological Aspects of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias: A Comprehensive Overview

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences ◽

10.3389/fmolb.2021.690899 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Liena E. O. Elsayed ◽

Isra Zuhair Eltazi ◽

Ammar E. Ahmed ◽

Giovanni Stevanin

Keyword(s):

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Special Focus ◽

Clinical Genetic ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Functional Studies ◽

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias ◽

Wide Range ◽

Complex Forms

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a heterogeneous group of motor neurodegenerative disorders that have the core clinical presentation of pyramidal syndrome which starts typically in the lower limbs. They can present as pure or complex forms with all classical modes of monogenic inheritance reported. To date, there are more than 100 loci/88 spastic paraplegia genes (SPG) involved in the pathogenesis of HSP. New patterns of inheritance are being increasingly identified in this era of huge advances in genetic and functional studies. A wide range of clinical symptoms and signs are now reported to complicate HSP with increasing overall complexity of the clinical presentations considered as HSP. This is especially true with the emergence of multiple HSP phenotypes that are situated in the borderline zone with other neurogenetic disorders. The genetic diagnostic approaches and the utilized techniques leave a diagnostic gap of 25% in the best studies. In this review, we summarize the known types of HSP with special focus on those in which spasticity is the principal clinical phenotype (“SPGn” designation). We discuss their modes of inheritance, clinical phenotypes, underlying genetics, and molecular pathways, providing some observations about therapeutic opportunities gained from animal models and functional studies. This review may pave the way for more analytic approaches that take into consideration the overall picture of HSP. It will shed light on subtle associations that can explain the occurrence of the disease and allow a better understanding of its observed variations. This should help in the identification of future biomarkers, predictors of disease onset and progression, and treatments for both better functional outcomes and quality of life.

Download Full-text

Network Organisation and the Dynamics of Tubules in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

10.1101/2020.03.11.987891 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

H. Perkins ◽

P. Ducluzaux ◽

P. Woodman ◽

V. Allan ◽

T. Waigh

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Binary Classification ◽

Persistence Length ◽

Gaussian Mixture ◽

Live Cells ◽

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias ◽

Membrane Contact Sites ◽

Subcellular Organelle ◽

Membrane Contact ◽

Network Organisation

ABSTRACTThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a eukaryotic subcellular organelle composed of tubules and sheet-like areas of membrane connected at junctions. The tubule network is highly dynamic and undergoes rapid and continual rearrangement. There are currently few tools to evaluate network organisation and dynamics. We quantified ER network organisation in Vero and MRC5 cells, and developed a classification system for ER dynamics in live cells. The persistence length, tubule length, junction coordination number and angles of the network were quantified. Hallmarks of imbalances in ER tension, indications of interactions with microtubules and other subcellular organelles, and active reorganisation and dynamics were observed. Live cell ER tubule dynamics were classified using a Gaussian mixture model, defining tubule motion as active or thermal and conformational phase space analysis allowed this classification to be refined by tubule curvature states.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a subcellular organelle, is an underexplored real-world example of active matter. Many processes essential to cell survival are performed by the ER, the efficacy of which may depend on its organisation and dynamics. Abnormal ER morphology is linked to diseases such as hereditary spastic paraplegias and it is possible that the dynamics are also implicated. Therefore, analysing the ER network in normal cells is important for the understanding of disease-related alterations. In this work, we outline the first thorough quantification methods for determining ER organisation and dynamics, deducing that tubule motion has a binary classification as active or thermal. Active reorganisation and dynamics along with indications of tension imbalances and membrane contact sites were observed.

Download Full-text