The long term goal of the proposed study is to identify reliable and accurate biomarkers for diagnosis, assessment of disease progression, and evaluation of clinial trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We will use chemical modification approaches to reveal differences in protein conformation between normal and ALS samples, and detect them via Western and 2D protein electrophoresis analyses. We have discovered a 35 kD protein species that is uniquely present in ALS but not in normal spinal cord samples. We have also observed a pattern of protein spots on the 2D gel that is present in ALS but not in normal spinal cord samples.
The specific aims for this application are first to determine independently whether either of two molecular signatures identified in the spinal cord can be observed in peripheral non-invasive tissues such as muscle and blood specimens. Second, we will try to develop qualitative and quantitative tests based on the indenfied biomarkers for ALS for potential diagnosis, assessment of disease progression, and evaluation of clinical trials in ALS. Two steps will be taken to acchieve the second aim. Standard criteria for tests will be esablished using known ALS samples. These crtiteria will then be used to identify unknown samples (to the testers) to assess the sensitivity and accuracy of the tests using identified biomarkers in ALS. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21NS054934-01A1
Application #
7201942
Study Section
Enabling Bioanalytical and Biophysical Technologies Study Section (EBT)
Program Officer
Sutherland, Margaret L
Project Start
2007-02-01
Project End
2009-01-31
Budget Start
2007-02-01
Budget End
2008-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$200,156
Indirect Cost
Name
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
071882724
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94107
Liu, Xiaochen; Lu, Deyi; Bowser, Robert et al. (2016) Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase I in Motor Neurons and Alterations in ALS. Int J Mol Sci 17: