Publication
Title
Stress granule mediated protein aggregation and underlying gene defects in the FTD-ALS spectrum
Author
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic membraneless compartments composed out of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNA molecules that assemble temporarily to allow the cell to cope with cellular stress by stalling mRNA translation and moving synthesis towards cytoprotective proteins. Aberrant SGs have become prime suspects in the nucleation of toxic protein aggregation in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Perturbed SG dynamics appears to be mediated by alterations in RNA binding proteins (RBP). Indeed, a growing number of FTD and/or ALS related RBPs coding genes (TDP43, FUS, EWSR1, TAF15, hnRNPA1, hnRNPA2B1, ATXN2, TIA1) have been identified to interfere with SG formation through mutation of their low-complexity domain (LCD), and thereby cause or influence disease. Interestingly, disease pathways associated to the C9orf72 repeat expansion, the leading genetic cause of the FTD-ALS spectrum, intersect with SG-mediated protein aggregate formation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of known SG proteins and their genetic contribution to the FTD-ALS spectrum. Importantly, multiple LCD-baring RBPs have already been identified in FTD-ALS that have not yet been genetically linked to disease. These should be considered candidate genes and offer opportunities for gene prioritization when mining sequencing data of unresolved FTD and ALS. Further, we zoom into the current understanding of the molecular processes of perturbed RBP function leading to disturbed SG dynamics, RNA metabolism, and pathological inclusions. Finally, we indicate how these gained insights open new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting phase separation and SG dynamics to reverse pathological protein aggregation and protect against toxicity.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Neurobiology of disease. - San Diego, Calif.
Publication
San Diego, Calif. : 2020
ISSN
0969-9961
DOI
10.1016/J.NBD.2019.104639
Volume/pages
134 (2020) , 11 p.
Article Reference
104639
ISI
000509818400064
Pubmed ID
31626953
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.11.2019
Last edited 02.10.2024
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