Grant Details

The Role of the Unfolded Protein Response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis
Lin, MD, PhD, Jonathan, Walter, PhD, Peter
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Project Summary
In cells of all higher organisms, the presence of malformed proteins produces a protective response to clear those proteins, called the unfolded protein response. The UPR encompasses a set of distinct signaling pathways. These signals activate genes that will make proteins that help refold or clear the abnormal proteins. The UPR also can activate programmed cell death (apoptosis). Lin will determine if any UPR signaling pathways are activated by ALS pathology in mouse. These studies could lead to novel therapies for ALS based on modulation of the UPR (see also SOD1).