Exome sequencing to identify de novo mutations in sporadic ALS trios

Alessandra Chesi, Brett T. Staahl, Ana Jovičić, Julien Couthouis, Maria Fasolino, Alya R. Raphael, Tomohiro Yamazaki, Laura Elias, Meraida Polak, Crystal Kelly, Kelly L. Williams, Jennifer A. Fifita, Nicholas J. Maragakis, Garth A. Nicholson, Oliver D. King, Robin Reed, Gerald R. Crabtree, Ian P. Blair, Jonathan D. Glass, Aaron D. Gitler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease whose causes are still poorly understood. To identify additional genetic risk factors, we assessed the role of de novo mutations in ALS by sequencing the exomes of 47 ALS patients and both of their unaffected parents (n = 141 exomes). We found that amino acid-altering de novo mutations were enriched in genes encoding chromatin regulators, including the neuronal chromatin remodeling complex (nBAF) component SS18L1 (also known as CREST). CREST mutations inhibited activity-dependent neurite outgrowth in primary neurons, and CREST associated with the ALS protein FUS. These findings expand our understanding of the ALS genetic landscape and provide a resource for future studies into the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to sporadic ALS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)851-855
Number of pages5
JournalNature neuroscience
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Exome sequencing to identify de novo mutations in sporadic ALS trios'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this