Ataxin-2 as a genetic risk factor for ALS: New insights into neurodegeneration

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that wreaks havoc on motor neurons. Recently, a central role for RNA binding proteins and RNA metabolism pathways has emerged. TDP-43 is an RNA binding protein that has been identified as a component of pathological inclusions in neurons of most ALS patients. Further, pathogenic mutations in the gene encoding TDP-43 (TARDBP) are associated with familial and sporadic ALS cases. These data argue that pathological activities of TDP-43 are critical to ALS. Despite the central importance of TDP-43, however, little is understood about how it causes disease and protein interaction partners that lead to ALS. This Co-PI research proposal brings together two experts in yeast and fly genetics who have made fundamental discoveries into mechanisms of devastating human age-related diseases such as Parkinson's disease and ALS using these simple but powerful systems. Importantly, discoveries made in yeast are translatable to Drosophila disease models, and from yeast and flies to human patients. Using these systems, we have found that ataxin-2, a polyglutamine (polyQ) protein, whose polyQ repeat expansions cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), is a potent modifier of TDP-43 toxicity in yeast and fly. Launching from this finding, we tested and found that polyQ expansions of 27-33Qs in the human ataxin-2 gene, ATXN2, are significantly associated with ALS. These data argue that ATXN2 is a new and relatively common ALS susceptibility disease gene, and that the TDP-43/Atx2 interaction is a critical target in ALS and perhaps other diseases associated with TDP-43 pathology. With the goal to reveal mechanistic insight into this interaction, we propose three Specific Aims. In Aim 1, we will use mammalian cell culture and Drosophila to define the domains of the TDP-43 and ataxin-2 proteins that are critical for the synergistic interaction in degeneration and function. These studies will provide insight into the activity of the proteins and processes affected in the pathological situation. In Aim 2, we will use the power of fly genetics to define additional genes critical for the synergy between TDP-43 and ataxin-2. This will reveal understanding of the processes perturbed and new pathways for therapeutic targeting. Finally, in Aim 3, we will address the greater role of ataxin-2 in neurodegeneration. ALS shares a disease spectrum with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and TDP- 43 pathology characterizes other neurodegenerative diseases. We will assess polyQ repeat lengths of ataxin-2 in other diseases to assess whether expansions occur in related disorders. Taken together, these findings will reveal key aspects of the TDP-43/ataxin-2 interaction central to ALS, the broader role of ataxin-2 in neurodegenerative disease, and the foundation for novel therapeutic insights.