Frederick “Eric” Arnold, PhD, on Investigating Alternative Polyadenylation in ALS Models

“Alternative polyadenylation is something that TDP-43 had previously been shown to regulate, but it hadn't been studied in the context of ALS. Basically, following up on other great work that has been done to better understand TDP-43 function, we characterized changes in alternative polyadenylation that are regulated by TDP-43 in the context of neuronal cells and ALS.”

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is currently associated with genes including SOD1 and C9orf72, however, these cases with known genetic causes only make up around 5-10% of ALS cases. New research by Frederick “Eric” Arnold, PhD, postdoctoral scholar, University of California – Irvine, and colleagues has focused on looking at the TDP-43 protein, and how changes in alternative polyadenylation that are regulated by TDP-43 affect neuronal cells and ALS.

Arnold discussed the ongoing research during a session entitled "Translational research in ALS: Novel Biomarkers and Model Systems" at the 2024 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical and Scientific Conference, held March 3-6, in Orlando. CGTLive® spoke with Arnold to learn more about TDP-43, alternative polyadenylation, and the effects of alternative polyadenylation in neuronal cells. He also overviewed research with TDP-43 that has been done so far.

Click here to view more coverage of the 2024 MDA Conference.

REFERENCES

1. Arnold F. Characterization of Alternative Polyadenylation Events in ALS Highlights New Disease Mechanisms and Novel Gene Therapy Targets. Presented at: 2024 MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference; March 3-6; Orlando, FL.
2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Causes/Inheritance. MDA website. https://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/causes-inheritance#:~:text=About%205%2D10%25%20of%20ALS,specific%20region%20of%20a%20chromosome.