In eukaryotic cells, gene activity is not directly reflected by protein levels because mRNA processing, transport, stability, and translation are co- and post-transcriptionally regulated. These processes, collectively...In eukaryotic cells, gene activity is not directly reflected by protein levels because mRNA processing, transport, stability, and translation are co- and post-transcriptionally regulated. These processes, collectively known as the ribonome, are tightly controlled and carried out by a plethora of trans-acting RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that bind to specific cis elements throughout the RNA sequence. Within the nervous system, the role of RBPs in brain function turns out to be essential due to the architectural complexity of neurons exemplified by a relatively small somal size and an extensive network of projections and connections, Thus far, RBPs have been shown to be indispensable for several aspects of neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and plasticity. Consequently, perturbation of their function is central in the etiology of an ever-growing spectrum of neurological diseases, including fragile X syndrome and the neurodegenerative disorders frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.展开更多
Mutations in the Fused in sarcoma/Translated in liposarcoma gene(FUS/TLS,FUS)have been identified among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).FUS protein aggregation is a major pathological hallmark of FUS ...Mutations in the Fused in sarcoma/Translated in liposarcoma gene(FUS/TLS,FUS)have been identified among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).FUS protein aggregation is a major pathological hallmark of FUS proteinopathy,a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by FUS-immunoreactive inclusion bodies.We prepared transgenic Drosophila expressing either the wild type(Wt)or ALS-mutant human FUS protein(hFUS)using the UAS-Gal4 system.When expressing Wt,R524S or P525L mutant FUS in photoreceptors,mushroom bodies(MBs)or motor neurons(MNs),transgenic flies show age-dependent progressive neural damages,including axonal loss in MB neurons,morphological changes and functional impairment in MNs.The transgenic flies expressing the hFUS gene recapitulate key features of FUS proteinopathy,representing the first stable animal model for this group of devastating diseases.展开更多
基金funded by grants from the Greek General Secretariat for Research and Development,Ministry of Education
文摘In eukaryotic cells, gene activity is not directly reflected by protein levels because mRNA processing, transport, stability, and translation are co- and post-transcriptionally regulated. These processes, collectively known as the ribonome, are tightly controlled and carried out by a plethora of trans-acting RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that bind to specific cis elements throughout the RNA sequence. Within the nervous system, the role of RBPs in brain function turns out to be essential due to the architectural complexity of neurons exemplified by a relatively small somal size and an extensive network of projections and connections, Thus far, RBPs have been shown to be indispensable for several aspects of neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and plasticity. Consequently, perturbation of their function is central in the etiology of an ever-growing spectrum of neurological diseases, including fragile X syndrome and the neurodegenerative disorders frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program(973 Program)(Grant No.2009CB825402)supported by the National Basic Research Program(973 Program)(Grant No.2010CB529603).
文摘Mutations in the Fused in sarcoma/Translated in liposarcoma gene(FUS/TLS,FUS)have been identified among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).FUS protein aggregation is a major pathological hallmark of FUS proteinopathy,a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by FUS-immunoreactive inclusion bodies.We prepared transgenic Drosophila expressing either the wild type(Wt)or ALS-mutant human FUS protein(hFUS)using the UAS-Gal4 system.When expressing Wt,R524S or P525L mutant FUS in photoreceptors,mushroom bodies(MBs)or motor neurons(MNs),transgenic flies show age-dependent progressive neural damages,including axonal loss in MB neurons,morphological changes and functional impairment in MNs.The transgenic flies expressing the hFUS gene recapitulate key features of FUS proteinopathy,representing the first stable animal model for this group of devastating diseases.