Research on Eif5a Hypusination Offers Insights into FUS-ALS Mechanisms

Research published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that axonal Eif5a hypusination plays a crucial role in controlling local translation and mitigating defects associated with FUS-ALS. The study utilized mouse strains maintained on a pure C57BL/6 background, with all procedures conducted according to KU Leuven ethical guidelines.

Adult twelve-month-old female mice were analyzed in spatial transcriptomics experiments, while male mice were used for other experiments. Spermidine trihydrochloride was administered in varying concentrations to assess the eclosion phenotype.

Primary neuronal cultures were prepared from embryonic day fifteen to sixteen and day twelve to thirteen motor neurons. The research included advanced techniques such as spatial transcriptomics using NanoString GeoMx profiling and multiplexed single-molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization.

The study found that Eif5a hypusination is critical in the context of FUS mutations, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies for ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease.