In vivo analyses of networks in ALS-causing genes using fly models

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24591286
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: FUJIKAKE Nobuhiro 独立行政法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所疾病研究第四部, 科研費研究員 (60467595)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経分子病態学 / 遺伝学 / 神経科学 / 筋萎縮性側索硬化症 / TDP-43 / dynactin 1 / 神経変性疾患 / ショウジョウバエ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is characterized by selective motor neuron degeneration in brain and spinal cord. Recently, many genes which function in various cellular events have been identified as ALS-causing genes. To elucidate the common pathomechanisms and therapeutic targets of ALS caused by various genes, we analyzed networks in ALS-causing genes using ALS model flies. In this study, we successfully show that toxicity of TDP-43, an ALS-causing gene, is evoked by dysfunction of microtubule-dependent transport, and revealed that activation of microtubule-dependent transport is a new therapeutic target for AlS.

Free Research Field

神経変性疾患