articleScienceMay 1, 2003GREEN OA

Mutations in Dynein Link Motor Neuron Degeneration to Defects in Retrograde Transport

The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn · Queen Mary University of London · +4 more institutions

PubMed
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Abstract

Degenerative disorders of motor neurons include a range of progressive fatal diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although the causative genetic alterations are known for some cases, the molecular basis of many SMA and SBMA-like syndromes and most ALS cases is unknown. Here we show that missense point mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain result in progressive motor neuron degeneration in heterozygous mice, and in homozygotes this is accompanied by the formation of Lewy-like inclusion bodies, thus resembling key features of human pathology. These mutations exclusively perturb neuron-specific functions of…

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686
total citations
FWCI
26.52
Percentile
100%
References
29
Citations per year

Authors

39

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Motor neuron
  • SMA*
  • Biology
  • Dynein
  • Degeneration (medical)
  • Missense mutation
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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