Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neurodegenerative disorders that specifically affect the survival and function of upper and/or lower motor neurons. Since motor neurons are responsible for the control of voluntary muscular movement, MNDs are characterized by muscle spasticity, weakness and atrophy. Different susceptibility genes associated with an increased risk to develop MNDs have been reported and several mutated genes have been linked to hereditary forms of MNDs. However, most cases of MNDs occur in sporadic forms and very little is known on their causes. Interestingly, several molecular mechanisms seem to participate in the progression of both the inherited and sporadic forms of MNDs. These include cytoskeleton organization, mitochondrial functions, DNA repair and RNA synthesis/processing, vesicle trafficking, endolysosomal trafficking and fusion, as well as protein folding and protein degradation. In particular, accumulation of aggregate-prone proteins is a hallmark of MNDs, suggesting that the protein quality control system (molecular chaperones and the degradative systems: ubiquitin–proteasome-system and autophagy) are saturated or not sufficient to allow the clearance of these altered proteins. In this review we mainly focus on the MNDs associated with disturbances in protein folding and protein degradation and on the potential implication of a specific class of molecular chaperones, the small heat shock proteins (sHSPs/HSPBs), in motor neuron function and survival. How boosting of specific HSPBs may be a potential useful therapeutic approach in MNDs and how mutations in specific HSPBs can directly cause motor neuron degeneration is discussed.

Alteration of protein folding and degradation in motor neuron diseases : Implications and protective functions of small heat shock proteins / S. Carra, V. Crippa, P. Rusmini, A. Boncoraglio, M. Minoia, E. Giorgetti, H.H. Kampinga, A. Poletti. - In: PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY. - ISSN 0301-0082. - 97:2(2012 May), pp. 83-100.

Alteration of protein folding and degradation in motor neuron diseases : Implications and protective functions of small heat shock proteins

V. Crippa
Secondo
;
P. Rusmini;A. Boncoraglio;E. Giorgetti;A. Poletti
Ultimo
2012

Abstract

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neurodegenerative disorders that specifically affect the survival and function of upper and/or lower motor neurons. Since motor neurons are responsible for the control of voluntary muscular movement, MNDs are characterized by muscle spasticity, weakness and atrophy. Different susceptibility genes associated with an increased risk to develop MNDs have been reported and several mutated genes have been linked to hereditary forms of MNDs. However, most cases of MNDs occur in sporadic forms and very little is known on their causes. Interestingly, several molecular mechanisms seem to participate in the progression of both the inherited and sporadic forms of MNDs. These include cytoskeleton organization, mitochondrial functions, DNA repair and RNA synthesis/processing, vesicle trafficking, endolysosomal trafficking and fusion, as well as protein folding and protein degradation. In particular, accumulation of aggregate-prone proteins is a hallmark of MNDs, suggesting that the protein quality control system (molecular chaperones and the degradative systems: ubiquitin–proteasome-system and autophagy) are saturated or not sufficient to allow the clearance of these altered proteins. In this review we mainly focus on the MNDs associated with disturbances in protein folding and protein degradation and on the potential implication of a specific class of molecular chaperones, the small heat shock proteins (sHSPs/HSPBs), in motor neuron function and survival. How boosting of specific HSPBs may be a potential useful therapeutic approach in MNDs and how mutations in specific HSPBs can directly cause motor neuron degeneration is discussed.
ALS; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Autophagy; HSPB8; Motor neuron diseases; Neurodegeneration; Protein aggregation; Protein misfolding; SBMA; Small heat shock proteins; Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy
Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata
mag-2012
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
CARRA et al.2012_FINALE.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 1.26 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.26 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/170516
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 32
  • Scopus 56
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 56
social impact