VCP mutations causing frontotemporal lobar degeneration disrupt localization of TDP-43 and induce cell death.
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with inclusion body myopathy and Paget disease of bone is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the VCP (valosin-containing protein) gene. The disease is characterized neuropathologically by frontal and temporal lobar atrophy, neuron loss and gliosis, and ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U), which are distinct from those seen in other sporadic and familial FTLD-U entities. The major component of the ubiquitinated inclusions of FTLD with VCP mutation is TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa). TDP-43 proteinopathy links sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sporadic FTLD-U, and most familial forms of FTLD-U. Understanding the relationship between individual gene defects and pathologic TDP-43 will facilitate the characterization of the mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration. Using cell culture models, we have investigated the role of mutant VCP in intracellular trafficking, proteasomal function, and cell death and demonstrate that mutations in the VCP gene 1) alter localization of TDP-43 between the nucleus and cytosol, 2) decrease proteasome activity, 3) induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, 4) increase markers of apoptosis, and 5) impair cell viability. These results suggest that VCP mutation-induced neurodegeneration is mediated by several mechanisms.
Gitcho
Michael A
MA
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Strider
Jeffrey
J
Carter
Deborah
D
Taylor-Reinwald
Lisa
L
Forman
Mark S
MS
Goate
Alison M
AM
Cairns
Nigel J
NJ
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics; D054875:Ubiquitination / Q000235:genetics; D000074405:Valosin Containing Protein
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C000614178:VCP protein, human; D000074405:Valosin Containing Protein