Erschienen in:
01.11.2013 | Medical Progress in the Journal of Neurology
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an update on recent genetic insights
verfasst von:
Yohei Iguchi, Masahisa Katsuno, Kensuke Ikenaka, Shinsuke Ishigaki, Gen Sobue
Erschienen in:
Journal of Neurology
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Ausgabe 11/2013
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. The prognosis for ALS is extremely poor, but there is a limited course of treatment with only one approved medication. A most striking recent discovery is that TDP-43 is identified as a key molecule that is associated with both sporadic and familial forms of ALS. TDP-43 is not only a pathological hallmark, but also a genetic cause for ALS. Subsequently, a number of ALS-causative genes have been found. Above all, the RNA-binding protein, such as FUS, TAF15, EWSR1 and hnRNPA1, have structural and functional similarities to TDP-43, and physiological functions of some molecules, including VCP, UBQLN2, OPTN, FIG4 and SQSTM1, are involved in a protein degradation system. These discoveries provide valuable insight into the pathogenesis of ALS, and open doors for developing an effective disease-modifying therapy.