MNDs (motor neuron diseases) form a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons. More and more genetic factors associated with MND encode proteins that have a function in RNA metabolism, suggesting that disturbed RNA metabolism could be a common underlying problem in several, perhaps all, forms of MND. In the present paper we review recent developments showing a functional link between SMN (survival of motor neuron), the causative factor of SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), and FUS (fused in sarcoma), a genetic factor in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). SMN is long known to have a crucial role in the biogenesis and localization of the spliceosomal snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleoproteins), which are essential assembly modules of the splicing machinery. Now we know that FUS interacts with SMN and pathogenic FUS mutations have a significant effect on snRNP localization. Together with other recently published evidence, this finding potentially links ALS pathogenesis to disturbances in the splicing machinery, and implies that pre-mRNA splicing may be the common weak point in MND, although other steps in mRNA metabolism could also play a role. Certainly, further comparison of the RNA metabolism in different MND will greatly help our understanding of the molecular causes of these devastating diseases.

Achsel, T., Barabino, S., Cozzolino, M., Carrì, M. (2013). The intriguing case of motor neuron disease: ALS and SMA come closer. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, 41(6), 1593-1597 [10.1042/BST20130142].

The intriguing case of motor neuron disease: ALS and SMA come closer

BARABINO, SILVIA MARIA LUISA;
2013

Abstract

MNDs (motor neuron diseases) form a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons. More and more genetic factors associated with MND encode proteins that have a function in RNA metabolism, suggesting that disturbed RNA metabolism could be a common underlying problem in several, perhaps all, forms of MND. In the present paper we review recent developments showing a functional link between SMN (survival of motor neuron), the causative factor of SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), and FUS (fused in sarcoma), a genetic factor in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). SMN is long known to have a crucial role in the biogenesis and localization of the spliceosomal snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleoproteins), which are essential assembly modules of the splicing machinery. Now we know that FUS interacts with SMN and pathogenic FUS mutations have a significant effect on snRNP localization. Together with other recently published evidence, this finding potentially links ALS pathogenesis to disturbances in the splicing machinery, and implies that pre-mRNA splicing may be the common weak point in MND, although other steps in mRNA metabolism could also play a role. Certainly, further comparison of the RNA metabolism in different MND will greatly help our understanding of the molecular causes of these devastating diseases.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
alternative splicing, ALS, SMA, FUS, SMN, RNA metabolism
English
2013
41
6
1593
1597
none
Achsel, T., Barabino, S., Cozzolino, M., Carrì, M. (2013). The intriguing case of motor neuron disease: ALS and SMA come closer. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, 41(6), 1593-1597 [10.1042/BST20130142].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/49074
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