Profilin 1 mutants form aggregates that induce accumulation of prion-like TDP-43 |
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Authors: | Yoshinori Tanaka Masato Hasegawa |
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Institution: | Dementia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan |
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Abstract: | Mutations in the profilin 1 (PFN1) gene have been identified as a cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and neuropathological studies indicate that TDP-43 is accumulated in brains of patients with PFN1 mutation. Here, we investigated the role of PFN1 mutations in the formation of prion-like abnormal TDP-43. Expression of PFN1 with pathogenic mutations resulted in the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates positive for p62 and ubiquitin, and these aggregates sequestered endogenous TDP-43. TDP-43 accumulation was facilitated in the presence of proteasome or lysosome inhibitor. Co-expression of mutant PFN1 and TDP-43 increased the levels of detergent-insoluble and phosphorylated TDP-43, and this increase required the C-terminal region of TDP-43. Moreover, detergent-insoluble fractions prepared from cells expressing ALS-linked mutant PFN1 induced seed-dependent accumulation of TDP-43. These findings indicate that expression of PFN1 mutants induces accumulation of TDP-43, and promotes conversion of normal TDP-43 into an abnormal form. These results provide new insight into the mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathies and other diseases associated with amyloid-like protein deposition. |
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Keywords: | ALS degradation system FTLD profilin 1 prion TDP-43 |
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