title: Protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins in affected motor neurons. Recent studies have identified several new molecular constituents of ALS-linked cellular aggregates, including FUS, TDP-43, OPTN, UBQLN2 and the translational product of intronic repeats in the gene C9ORF72. Mutations in the genes encoding these proteins are found in a subgroup of ALS patients and segregate with disease in familial cases, indicating a causal relationship with disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, these proteins are often detected in aggregates of non-mutation carriers and those observed in other neurodegenerative disorders, supporting a widespread role in neuronal degeneration. The molecular characteristics and distribution of different types of protein aggregates in ALS can be linked to specific genetic alterations and shows a remarkable overlap hinting at a convergence of underlying cellular processes and pathological effects. Thus far, self-aggregating properties of prion-like domains, altered RNA granule formation and dysfunction of the protein quality control system have been suggested to contribute to protein aggregation in ALS. The precise pathological effects of protein aggregation remain largely unknown, but experimental evidence hints at both gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the molecular make-up, formation, and mechanism-of-action of protein aggregates in ALS. Further insight into protein aggregation will not only deepen our understanding of ALS pathogenesis but also may provide novel avenues for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Blokhuis
authors.forename: Ewout J N
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koppers
authors.forename: Leonard H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: R Jeroen
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pasterkamp
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000067528:Ataxins; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins; D000073885:C9orf72 Protein; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000502:physiology*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D059748:Proteolysis; D034702:RNA-Binding Protein FUS / Q000502:physiology; D035582:Transcription Factor TFIIIA / Q000502:physiology; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000067528:Ataxins; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins; D000073885:C9orf72 Protein; C568651:C9orf72 protein, human; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C409460:OPTN protein, human; D011506:Proteins; D034702:RNA-Binding Protein FUS; D035582:Transcription Factor TFIIIA; C405662:UBQLN2 protein, human; D014452:Ubiquitins