In vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative disease such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have provided glimpses into the biological processes that go awry in these disorders. Current thinking indicates that major pathophysiologic processes include protein misfolding and accumulation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, dysfunctional intracellular trafficking, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and abnormal RNA processing. The ARF family of GTP'ases are a phylogenetically- conserved family of proteins involved with membrane traffic, lipid metabolism/signaling, actin remodeling, and lipid droplet formation. Based on the apparent overlap between ALS pathophysiology and some of the biological actions of ARFs, we wondered if ARF signaling modified models of ALS. In recently published work we find that blocking activity of cytohesins (?Cy's?, ARF guanine nucleotide exchange factors) is neuroprotective. Understanding the cell biological mechanism of this observation is problematic because of the pleiotropic actions of Cy's and ARFs. The path forward will be facilitated by determining the specific Cy and specific ARF involved in this process as this will guide us to the relevant cell biological process. To this end, in specific aim #1, experiments will be undertaken to determine if inhibition of an individual Cy confers protection against the toxic actions on motor neurons of mutant SOD or mutant TDP43.
In specific aim #2, experiments will be undertaken to determine if inhibition of an individual ARF confers protection against the toxic actions on motor neurons of mutant SOD or mutant TDP43. Identification of the specific Cy/ARF pair that upon disabling is neuroprotective will be the launching pad for insight into mechanisms and potential therapeutic targeting.

Public Health Relevance

Proteins must fold into a proper three-dimensional shape to function normally in cells and misfolded proteins accumulate in nerve cells in adult onset neurodegenerative diseases. In this proposal we will identify genes and molecular pathways that reduce the burden of misfolded proteins, or their toxic actions, on neurons

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
7R21NS093439-03
Application #
9605921
Study Section
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section (NOMD)
Program Officer
Gubitz, Amelie
Project Start
2017-12-01
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2017-12-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Type
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
McGurk, L; Mojsilovic-Petrovic, J; Van Deerlin, V M et al. (2018) Nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) activity is a therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 6:84
McGurk, Leeanne; Gomes, Edward; Guo, Lin et al. (2018) Poly(ADP-Ribose) Prevents Pathological Phase Separation of TDP-43 by Promoting Liquid Demixing and Stress Granule Localization. Mol Cell 71:703-717.e9