Impaired nuclear transport induced by juvenile ALS causing P525L mutation in NLS domain of FUS: A molecular mechanistic study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are progressive neurological disorders affecting motor neurons. Cellular aggregates of fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein are found in cytoplasm of ALS and FTLD patients. Nuclear localisation signal (NLS) domain of FUS binds to Karyopherin β2 (Kapβ2), which drives nuclear transport of FUS from cytoplasm. Several pathogenic mutations are reported in FUS NLS, which are associated with its impaired nuclear transport and cytoplasmic mis-localisation. P525L mutation in NLS is most commonly found in cases of juvenile ALS (jALS), which affects individuals below 25 years of age. jALS progresses aggressively causing death within a year of its onset. This study elucidates the molecular mechanism behind jALS-causing P525L mutation hindering nuclear transport of FUS. We perform multiple molecular dynamics simulations in aqueous and hydrophobic solvent to understand the effect of the mutation at molecular level. Dynamics of Kapβ2-FUS complex is better captured in hydrophobic solvent compared to aqueous solvent. P525 and Y526 (PY-motif) of NLS exhibit fine-tuned stereochemical arrangement, which is essential for optimum Kapβ2 binding. P525L causes loss of several native contacts at interface leading to weaker binding, which promotes self-aggregation of FUS in cytoplasm. Native complex samples closed conformation, while mutant complex exhibits open conformation exposing hydrophilic residues of Kapβ2 to hydrophobic solvent. Mutant complex also fails to exhibit spring-like motion essential for its transport through nuclear pore complex. This study provides a mechanistic insight of binding affinity between NLS and Kapβ2 that inhibits self-aggregation of FUS preventing the disease condition.