Biomaterial Database

Approaches to Gene Modulation Therapy for ALS. 2022

Katharina E Meijboom, and Robert H Brown

Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease for which there is currently no robust therapy. Recent progress in understanding ALS disease mechanisms and genetics in combination with innovations in gene modulation strategies creates promising new options for the development of ALS therapies. In recent years, six gene modulation therapies have been tested in ALS patients. These target gain-of-function pathology of the most common ALS genes, SOD1, C9ORF72, FUS, and ATXN2, using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated microRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Here, we review the latest clinical and preclinical advances in gene modulation approaches for ALS, including gene silencing, gene correction, and gene augmentation. These techniques have the potential to positively impact the direction of future research trials and transform ALS treatments for this grave disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072105	Superoxide Dismutase-1	A superoxide dismutase (SOD1) that requires copper and zinc ions for its activity to destroy SUPEROXIDE FREE RADICALS within the CYTOPLASM. Mutations in the SOD1 gene are associated with AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS-1.	Cu-Zn Superoxide Dismutase,Cuprozinc Superoxide Dismutase,SOD-1 Protein,SOD1 Protein,Superoxide Dismutase 1,Cu Zn Superoxide Dismutase,SOD 1 Protein,Superoxide Dismutase, Cu-Zn,Superoxide Dismutase, Cuprozinc
D000073885	C9orf72 Protein	A widely-expressed guanine nucleotide exchange factor protein of approximately 400 to 500 amino acids. Its N-terminal region (DENN domain) interacts with RAB GTP-BINDING PROTEINS and may regulate AUTOPHAGY, as well as PROTEIN TRANSPORT to ENDOSOMES. Expansion of the GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene is associated with FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA with AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (FTDALS1).	Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor C9orf72,Chromosome 9 Open Reading Frame 72 Protein
D000690	Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis	A degenerative disorder affecting upper MOTOR NEURONS in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and SPINAL CORD. Disease onset is usually after the age of 50 and the process is usually fatal within 3 to 6 years. Clinical manifestations include progressive weakness, atrophy, FASCICULATION, hyperreflexia, DYSARTHRIA, dysphagia, and eventual paralysis of respiratory function. Pathologic features include the replacement of motor neurons with fibrous ASTROCYTES and atrophy of anterior SPINAL NERVE ROOTS and corticospinal tracts. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1089-94)	ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Lou Gehrig Disease,Motor Neuron Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis With Dementia,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Guam Form,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex of Guam,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex 1,Charcot Disease,Dementia With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Gehrig's Disease,Guam Disease,Guam Form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Lou Gehrig's Disease,Lou-Gehrigs Disease,ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Parkinsonism Dementia Complex 1,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinsonism Dementia Complex of Guam,Disease, Guam,Disease, Lou-Gehrigs,Gehrig Disease,Gehrigs Disease,Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral
D016376	Oligonucleotides, Antisense	Short fragments of DNA or RNA that are used to alter the function of target RNAs or DNAs to which they hybridize.	Anti-Sense Oligonucleotide,Antisense Oligonucleotide,Antisense Oligonucleotides,Anti-Sense Oligonucleotides,Anti Sense Oligonucleotide,Anti Sense Oligonucleotides,Oligonucleotide, Anti-Sense,Oligonucleotide, Antisense,Oligonucleotides, Anti-Sense
D035683	MicroRNAs	Small double-stranded, non-protein coding RNAs, 21-25 nucleotides in length generated from single-stranded microRNA gene transcripts by the same RIBONUCLEASE III, Dicer, that produces small interfering RNAs (RNA, SMALL INTERFERING). They become part of the RNA-INDUCED SILENCING COMPLEX and repress the translation (TRANSLATION, GENETIC) of target RNA by binding to homologous 3'UTR region as an imperfect match. The small temporal RNAs (stRNAs), let-7 and lin-4, from C. elegans, are the first 2 miRNAs discovered, and are from a class of miRNAs involved in developmental timing.	RNA, Small Temporal,Small Temporal RNA,miRNA,stRNA,Micro RNA,MicroRNA,Primary MicroRNA,Primary miRNA,miRNAs,pre-miRNA,pri-miRNA,MicroRNA, Primary,RNA, Micro,Temporal RNA, Small,miRNA, Primary,pre miRNA,pri miRNA