scholarly journals SOD1 activity thresholds and TOR signalling modulate VAP(P58S) aggregation via ROS-induced proteasomal degradation in a Drosophila model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kriti Chaplot ◽  
Lokesh Pimpale ◽  
Balaji Ramalingam ◽  
Senthilkumar Deivasigamani ◽  
Siddhesh S. Kamat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Quantitative Imaging ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Larval Brain ◽  
Kinetic Assay ◽  
Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Cellular Lipids ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractFamilial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (F-ALS) is an incurable, late onset motor neuron disease, linked strongly to various causative genetic loci. ALS8 codes for a missense mutation, P56S, in VAMP-associated Protein B (VAPB) that causes the protein to misfold and form cellular aggregates. Uncovering genes and mechanisms that affect aggregation dynamics would greatly help increase our understanding of the disease and lead to potential therapeutics.Here, we develop a quantitative high-throughput, Drosophila S2R+ cell-based kinetic assay coupled with fluorescent microscopy to score for genes involved in the modulation of aggregates of fly ortholog, VAP(P58S), tagged with GFP. As proof of principle, we conducted a targeted RNAi screen against 900 genes, consisting of VAP genetic interactors, other ALS loci, as also genes involved in proteostasis. The screen identified 150 hits that modify aggregation, including the ALS loci SOD1, TDP43 and also genes belonging to the TOR pathway.To validate these modifiers, we developed a system to measure the extent of VAP(P58S) aggregation in the Drosophila third instar larval brain using the UAS-GAL4 system, followed by quantitative imaging of cellular inclusions. We find that reduction of SOD1 activity or decreased TOR signalling reduces aggregation. Interestingly, we find that increase in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, assessed by measuring oxidation of cellular lipids and proteins, in response to SOD1 knockdown or by inhibition of TOR signalling appears to be the trigger for clearing of aggregates. The mechanism of aggregate clearance is, primarily, the proteasomal machinery, and not autophagy. Increase in VAP, but not VAP(P58S) levels, appears to elevate ROS, which may in turn regulate VAP transcription in a feedback loop.We have thus uncovered an interesting interplay between SOD1, ROS and TOR signalling that regulates the dynamics of VAP aggregation. Mechanistic processes underlying such cellular regulatory networks will lead us to a better understanding of initiation and progression of ALS.

Very late-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Portuguese cohort

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 619-622
Author(s):  
Miguel Oliveira Santos ◽  
Marta Gromicho ◽  
Susana Pinto ◽  
Mamede de Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Late Onset Cerebellar Ataxia

1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MONDELLI ◽  
P. DELLA PORTA ◽  
A. ZALAFFI ◽  
A. ROSSI
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Cerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Axonal Neuropathy ◽  
Electrophysiological Findings ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

We report on clinical and electrophysiological findings and management in nine patients who developed carpal tunnel syndrome during the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and late onset cerebellar ataxia, two neurodegenerative diseases. The patients were treated with surgical decompression (five cases) and local steroid injections (four cases). Only one showed lasting relief of symptoms and significantly improved distal conduction in the median nerve at follow-up after 2 to 3 months. The symptoms and conduction data remained unchanged in three patients who could be followed for more than 1 year. We think that axonal neuropathy plays an important role in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome in these patients and accounts for the failure of the standard treatments.

scholarly journals Minor Allele Frequencies and Molecular Pathways Differences for SNPs Associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Subjects Participating in the UKBB and 1000 Genomes Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3394
Author(s):  
Salvatore D’Antona ◽  
Gloria Bertoli ◽  
Isabella Castiglioni ◽  
Claudia Cava
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Minor Allele ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
1000 Genomes Project ◽  
1000 Genomes ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Iberian Population ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex disease with a late onset and is characterized by the progressive loss of muscular and respiratory functions. Although recent studies have partially elucidated ALS’s mechanisms, many questions remain such as what the most important molecular pathways involved in ALS are and why there is such a large difference in ALS onset among different populations. In this study, we addressed this issue with a bioinformatics approach, using the United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB) and the European 1000 Genomes Project (1KG) in order to analyze the most ALS-representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that differ for minor allele frequency (MAF) between the United Kingdom population and some European populations including Finnish in Finland, Iberian population in Spain, and Tuscans in Italy. We found 84 SNPs associated with 46 genes that are involved in different pathways including: “Ca2+ activated K+ channels”, “cGMP effects”, ”Nitric oxide stimulates guanylate cyclase”, “Proton/oligopeptide cotransporters”, and “Signaling by MAPK mutants”. In addition, we revealed that 83% of the 84 SNPs can alter transcription factor-motives binding sites of 224 genes implicated in “Regulation of beta-cell development”, “Transcription-al regulation by RUNX3”, “Transcriptional regulation of pluripotent stem cells”, and “FOXO-mediated transcription of cell death genes”. In conclusion, the genes and pathways analyzed could explain the cause of the difference of ALS onset.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Peripheral Immune Activation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengli Wang ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Juan Du ◽  
Yanchun Yuan ◽  
Bin Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Background: Accumulating evidence has revealed that immunity plays an important role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression. However, the results regarding the serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement are inconsistent in patients with ALS. Although immune dysfunctions have also been reported in patients with other neurodegenerative diseases, few studies have explored whether immune dysfunction in ALS is similar to that in other neurodegenerative diseases.Methods: Serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement were measured in 245 patients with ALS, 65 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 60 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and 82 healthy controls (HCs). A meta-analysis including data from this study was performed to evaluate the differences in the levels of immunoglobulin and complement between ALS patients and HCs. The serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement were compared between patient groups and HCs or between ALS patient groups established by age at onset, site at onset, disease duration, or disease severity. The correlations between the levels of immunoglobulin and complement and the clinical characteristics of ALS were analysed using Spearman correlation analysis.Results: The pooled results showed that patients with ALS had higher C4 levels than did HCs, and no significant differences between these two groups in IgG, IgA, IgM, or C3 levels were found. Multiple comparisons revealed that there were no significant differences between patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases in IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, or C4 levels. In addition, the IgG levels were lower in early-onset ALS patients than in late-onset ALS patients and HCs. The correlations between age at onset of ALS and IgG and IgA levels were significantly positive. Moreover, spinal-onset ALS patients had lower serum IgG levels than did HCs, but no difference was found between bulbar-onset ALS patients and HCs.Conclusions: Peripheral immunity abnormalities existed in patients with ALS, and lower IgG levels were associated with early-onset ALS.

scholarly journals Diversity of VCP-related phenotypes: case report and literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-38
Author(s):  
G. E. Rudenskaya ◽  
O. L. Mironovich ◽  
A. F. Murtazina ◽  
O. A. Shchagina
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Creatine Kinase ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Exome Sequencing ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Hereditary Neuropathy ◽  
Paget Disease ◽  
Clinical Exome Sequencing ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Background. Gene VCP encoding multifunctional protein valosin produces a number of rare autosomal dominant late-onset disorders with multiple symptoms (muscular dystrophy with inclusion bodies in part of cases, Paget disease of bone, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and few others) in different combinations often varying in one family. Rare unusual phenotypes are difficult for recognition. Molecular methods facilitate diagnostics.Objective: to describe first Russian VCP-related familial case detected by exome sequencing and present a review on poorly known disorder.Materials and methods. In a Russian family with 4 patients in 2 generations 6 persons were examined: 2 patients, 3 clinically unaffected possible heterozygous carriers and patient’s mother with no genetic risk; medical information was received about two deceased patients. Methods: clinical and genealogical; biochemical: blood creatine kinase, alpha-glucosidase; molecular: clinical exome sequencing, Sanger familial sequencing, bioinformatical analysis.Results. In 48-year-old proband and 50-year-old brother whose former diagnosis was hereditary neuropathy proximal muscular dystrophy with onset in 43–45 years, rapid progression and moderately raised creatine kinase (341–572 U/l) was found out. Since 45 years the proband also had Paget disease. Both brothers had no evident dementia (neuropsychological examination was not performed). The younger brother since 32 years suffered typical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, evidently combined with dementia, he died in 43 years being severely disabled; brain is not described in autopsy record. The father had rapidly progressing walking difficulties since 40 years without mental, speech or swallowing disturbances; he was never examined and died in 48 years of heart disease (?). Clinical exome sequencing in the proband detected in VCP exon 5 one of common mutations с.463С>T (p.Arg155Cys) in heterozygous state. Familial Sanger sequencing found out the mutation in him, in the brother and in clinically unaffected 36-year-old sister, 22-year-old daughter and 15-year old son, thus diagnosing preclinical stage of the disease.Conclusions. The case illustrates diversity of VCP-related disorders and necessity to take into consideration all phenotype spectrum. DNA-confirmed diagnosis permits genetic counseling.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Peripheral Immune Activation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengli Wang ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Juan Du ◽  
Yanchun Yuan ◽  
Bin Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Immune Dysfunctions ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Accumulating evidence has revealed that immunity plays an important role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression. However, the results regarding the serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement are inconsistent in patients with ALS. Although immune dysfunctions have also been reported in patients with other neurodegenerative diseases, few studies have explored whether immune dysfunction in ALS is similar to that in other neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we performed this study to address these gaps. In the present study, serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement were measured in 245 patients with ALS, 65 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 60 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 82 healthy controls (HCs). Multiple comparisons revealed that no significant differences existed between patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases in immunoglobulin and complement levels. Meta-analysis based on data from our cohort and eight published articles was performed to evaluate the serum immunoglobulin and complement between patients with ALS and HCs. The pooled results showed that patients with ALS had higher C4 levels than HCs. In addition, we found that the IgG levels were lower in early-onset ALS patients than in late-onset ALS patients and HCs, and the correlations between age at onset of ALS and IgG or IgA levels were significant positive. In conclusion, our data supplement existing literature on understanding the role of peripheral immunity in ALS.

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