monitoring-neuronal-survival-via-longitudinal-fluorescence-microscopy

Monitoring Neuronal Survival via Longitudinal Fluorescence Microscopy

Standard cytotoxicity assays, which require the collection of lysates or fixed cells at multiple time points, have limited sensitivity and capacity to ...

University of Michigan School of Medicine

The nuclear RNA-binding protein TDP43 is integrally involved in RNA processing. In accord with this central function, TDP43 levels are tightly regulated through a negative feedback loop, in which TDP43 recognizes its own RNA transcript, destabilizes it, and reduces new TDP43 protein production. In the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cytoplasmic mislocalization and accumulation of TDP43 disrupt autoregulation; conversely, inefficient TDP43 autoregulation can lead to cytoplasmic TDP43 deposition and subsequent neurodegeneration. Because TDP43 plays a multifaceted role in maintaining RNA metabolism, its mislocalization and accumulation interrupt several RNA processing pathways that in turn affect RNA stability and gene expression. TDP43-mediated disruption of these pathways-including alternative mRNA splicing, non-coding RNA processing, and RNA granule dynamics-may directly or indirectly contribute to ALS pathogenesis. Therefore, strategies that restore effective TDP43 autoregulation may ultimately prevent neurodegeneration in ALS and related disorders.

TDP43 and RNA instability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) homeostasis is dynamically modulated in response to changing physiological conditions. Tight regulation of RNA abundance through both transcription and degradation determines the amount, timing, and location of protein translation. This balance is of particular importance in neurons, which are among the most metabolically active and morphologically complex cells in the body. As a result, any disruptions in RNA degradation can have dramatic consequences for neuronal health. In this chapter, we will first discuss mechanisms of RNA stabilization and decay. We will then explore how the disruption of these pathways can lead to neurodegenerative disease.

Kaitlin Weskamp

Department of Neurology,
Neuroscience Graduate Program

University of Michigan School of Medicine

Monitoring Neuronal Survival via Longitudinal Fluorescence Microscopy

Kaitlin Weskamp

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Neurology,Neuroscience Graduate Program

University of Michigan School of Medicine

Monitoring Neuronal Survival via Longitudinal Fluorescence Microscopy

Department of Neurology,
Neuroscience Graduate Program