利美尼定促进肌萎缩侧索硬化相关蛋白质TDP-43降解的研究

目的探索利美尼定(RIL)对肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)相关蛋白质TAR DNA结合蛋白43(TDP-43)降解的影响.方法用瞬时转染的方法在运动神经元样细胞系NSC-34中过表达WT TDP-43,与家族型ALS相关的Q331K TDP-43、M337V TDP-43突变蛋白、TDP-43的两种C末端片段TDP-25和TDP-35,再给予利美尼定干预16h,通过蛋白印迹方法检测5种TDP-43的表达水平.结果在自噬诱导剂RIL的作用下,两种突变TDP-43及其C末端片段的表达明显减少,而WT TDP-43的蛋白质表达水平无明显变化.在自噬阻断剂3-MA的干预下,RIL降解异常蛋白质的作用也被阻断.结论RIL可经由自噬通路降解Q331K TDP-43、M337V TDP-43及其C末端截短片段.     

肌萎缩侧索硬化症相关TDP-43降解机制的研究

目的探索肌萎缩侧索硬化症(ALS)相关TDP-43的降解机制。方法用瞬时转染的方法在运动神经元样细胞系NSC-34中过表达野生型(role of wild-type,WT)WT TDP-43,与家族型ALS相关的Q331K TDP-43、M337V TDP-43突变蛋白、TDP-43的两种C末端片段TDP-25和TDP-35,再给予自噬、蛋白酶体通路的特异性诱导剂和阻断剂,通过蛋白印迹方法检测5种TDP-43以及自噬标记物LC3-Ⅱ的表达水平。结果在自噬诱导剂作用下,各组LC3-Ⅱ的表达升高,同时两种突变TDP-43及其C末端片段的表达明显减少,在自噬通路和蛋白酶体阻断剂作用下突变TDP-43及其C末端片段表达水平明显增多,而WT TDP-43的蛋白表达水平仅在蛋白酶体阻断剂作用时增多。结论 WT TDP-43主要经由蛋白酶体途径降解,Q331K TDP-43、M337V TDP-43及其C末端片段经由蛋白酶体途径和自噬两种途径降解。     

锂剂和雷帕霉素联合应用治疗亨廷顿病的合理机制

背景和目的:亨廷顿病(HD)是由于huntingtin蛋白中多聚谷氨酰胺扩增突变引起的.多聚谷氨酰胺的扩增突变具有功能获得性毒性,使蛋白质有易聚集倾向.易聚集蛋白质难以通过泛素-蛋白酶体途径进行降解,而依赖于大自噬清除.自噬诱导剂--雷帕霉素抑制哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶位(mTOR),进而上调自噬,减弱易聚集蛋白质的毒性.     

稳定转染hSOD1G93A增加NSC34细胞凋亡

目的探讨稳定转染hSOD1G93A对NSC34细胞凋亡的影响。方法常规体外培养稳定转染空质粒、hSOD1WT或hSOD1G93A质粒的NSC34细胞系,分为3组:空转组、野生组和突变组。应用CCK-8试剂盒和LDH试剂盒来测定各组细胞活力,应用透射电镜观察细胞线粒体形态,通过TUNEL染色来检测细胞凋亡情况,应用Western blotting检测各组细胞凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平。结果与空转组和野生组细胞相比,突变组细胞线粒体形态异常,细胞活力明显下降,凋亡细胞数量增多,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且突变组细胞Bcl-2的蛋白表达水平显著下降,Bax的蛋白表达水平均明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论稳定转染hSOD1G93A可导致NSC34细胞线粒体形态异常,降低抗凋亡蛋白的表达水平,增加促凋亡蛋白的表达水平,最终导致凋亡细胞增加。     

突变型α-核突触蛋白的自噬性降解途径及可能机制

目的 观察突变型α-核突触蛋白对PC12细胞增殖的影响和可能的降解途径,探讨其在帕金森病发病机制中的作用.方法 对转染了α-核突触蛋白(A30P)的PC12细胞进行药物干预,检测细胞的增殖活性,并采用透射电镜观察细胞超微结构改变以及自噬的特征性改变,同时检测α-核突触蛋白的表达和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的水平.结果 (1)Western Blot法检测α-核突触蛋白的表达:A30P+渥曼青霉素组(A30P+W组)、A30P+1-甲基4-苯基吡啶组(A30P+MPP+组)较A30P组明显增高,以A30P+W组最为明显;而A30P+雷帕霉素组(A30P+R组)条带较A30P组减低(P＜0.01);(2)不同时间点细胞培养液中SOD水平(U/ml)的测定:用MPP+处理转染了突变型α-核突触蛋白的PC12细胞后,培养液中SOD水平(A30P+MPP+组:3 h:97.49±13.8;12 h:102.7±12.7:24 h:101.5±11.8;48 h:104.3±12.4)较A30P组在各时间点显著下调(t=3.7721,P=0.0017);A30P+R组在给药12 h以后,培养液中SOD水平逐渐升高,其中在24 h(121.2±13.0)、48 h(124.3±14.1)和72 h(127.7±13.7)时与A30P+W组比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.9746,P=0.0083);突变型α-核突触蛋白激活了自噬途径,并介导了MPP+的毒性作用,自噬抑制剂渥曼青霉素可通过抑制自噬而加剧α-核突触蛋白积聚,导致细胞死亡;而自噬诱导剂雷帕霉素则可以通过诱导自噬的发生而促进α-核突触蛋白的降解和细胞生长.结论 α-核突触蛋白的异常积聚导致PC12细胞的自噬性细胞死亡,促进自噬有助于突变型α-核突触蛋白降解,对细胞具有保护作用.     

突变型Notch3(R90C)蛋白调控自噬诱导VSMC细胞凋亡的分子机制

目的探讨Notch 3(R90C)突变蛋白诱导VSMC细胞凋亡机制。方法采用真核细胞转染技术将Flag-Notch 3(WT)及Flag-Notch 3(R90C)质粒转入大鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞A10,通过Western blot检测Beclin 1及LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ;单丹磺酰尸胺(monodansylcadaverin,MDC)染色检测细胞自噬空泡的变化;PI/Annexin-V-FITC检测细胞凋亡率。结果与转染Flag-Notch 3(WT)组相比,过表达Flag-Notch 3(R90C)下调细胞内源性Beclin 1蛋白的表达,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ的比值降低。与转染Flag-Notch 3(WT)组相比,过表达Flag-Notch 3(R90C)诱导A10细胞自噬空泡聚集减少。与转染Flag-Notch 3(WT)组相比,过表达Flag-Notch 3(R90C)使A10细胞凋亡率增加。结论 Notch 3(R90C)突变蛋白可通过抑制细胞巨自噬水平诱导血管平滑肌细胞凋亡。     

胍那苄对运动神经元的内质网应激细胞模型具有保护作用

目的 探讨P-eIF2α去磷酸化抑制剂胍那苄(guanabenz,GA)对胚胎小鼠运动神经元样杂交细胞系(mouse motor neuron-like hybrid cell line,NSC34)的内质网应激模型是否具有保护作用及是否能够减少外源性SOD1 G93A蛋白的合成。方法(1)应用依霉素(Tunicamycin,TM)作用到鼠运动神经元样杂交细胞系(mouse motor neuron-like hybrid cell line,NSC34),获得运动神经元ERS模型; 再给予不同浓度的GA通过显微镜及MTT方法观察GA对运动神经元ERS模型细胞数量及细胞活力的影响; 用Western Blot方法检测TM、GA对NSC34细胞系ERS蛋白eIF2α和P-eIF2α的影响;(2)应用慢病毒转染的方法制作SOD1 G93A NSC34稳定转染细胞系,通过Western blot方法检测GA对外源性SOD1 G93A蛋白以及内源性mouse SOD1蛋白表达量的影响。结果(1)在NSC34的ERS模型中多个浓度的GA与对照组比较可以显著增加细胞数量,提高细胞活力(P<0.05); GA可以增加ERS相关蛋白P-eIF2α的表达量;(2)GA在SOD1 G93A NSC34细胞系中能够减少外源性hSOD1蛋白的表达量,而对内源性的mouse SOD1蛋白表达量没有明显影响。结论(1)GA可能通过增加P-eIF2α的表达量而对NSC34细胞系的ERS模型具有保护作用;(2)GA在SOD1 G93A NSC34细胞系中可以减少外源性hSOD1蛋白的表达量。     

运动神经元病相关蛋白p150glued在自噬通路中的功能

目的探讨运动神经元病相关蛋白p150glued在自噬通路中的作用和功能。方法以1.5个月龄C57BL/6J野生型小鼠和HEK293细胞为材料,利用转染和蛋白印迹(Western blot)法检测p150glued缺失对于Dynactin亚基表达水平以及自噬-溶酶体蛋白降解通路中关键蛋白的影响。结果 p150glued在小鼠神经系统中表达广泛,且与脊髓相比,坐骨神经中其含量显著下降(P0.05)。p150glued蛋白缺失引起动力蛋白激活蛋白Dynactin亚基DCTN4、DCTN5、p50和Arp1a蛋白表达水平显著下降(P0.05)。p150glued蛋白含量下调使自噬-溶酶体蛋白降解通路中LC3A/B-II、p62和LAMP1蛋白表达水平显著提高(P0.05),而ATG3、ATG7和LC3A/B-I蛋白含量未发生明显变化(P0.05)。结论运动神经元病相关蛋白p150glued含量减少可通过引起Dynactin亚基表达水平下降,使自噬小体和溶酶体运输障碍,从而导致自噬-溶酶体蛋白降解通路异常。     

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation enhances embryonic neural stem cell apoptosis in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Alterations in embryonic neural stem cells play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We hypothesized that embryonic neural stem cells from SOD1G93 A individuals might be more susceptible to oxidative injury, resulting in a propensity for neurodegeneration at later stages. In this study, embryonic neural stem cells obtained from human superoxide dismutase 1 mutant(SOD1G93A) and wild-type(SOD1WT) mouse models were exposed to H2O2. We assayed cell viability with mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase colorimetric reagent, and measured cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) α-subunit, paired box 3(Pax3) protein, and p53 in western blot analyses. Compared with SOD1 WT cells, SOD1G93 A embryonic neural stem cells were more likely to undergo H2O2-induced apoptosis. Phosphorylation of AMPKα in SOD1G93 A cells was higher than that in SOD1 WT cells. Pax3 expression was inversely correlated with the phosphorylation levels of AMPKα. p53 protein levels were also correlated with AMPKαphosphorylation levels. Compound C, an inhibitor of AMPKα, attenuated the effects of H2O2. These results suggest that embryonic neural stem cells from SOD1G93 A mice are more susceptible to apoptosis in the presence of oxidative stress compared with those from wild-type controls, and the effects are mainly mediated by Pax3 and p53 in the AMPKα pathway.     

中国家族性肌萎缩侧索硬化患者超氧化物歧化酶1基因突变分析

目的 肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)是上、下运动神经元退变引起的一种进行性致死性疾病,家族性ALS占10%～20%,铜锌SOD1基因突变存在于20%的家族性患者和少数散发性患者,某些突变还具有地域分布和特殊临床表型的规律性.我们旨在分析我国3个家族性ALS家系SOD1基因突变特点,并与不同国家和地区SOD1突变比较,分析其临床表型的特征性.方法 提取患者外周血基因组DNA,采用SOD1基因的5对引物对其5个外显子进行PCR扩增,产物直接测序.归纳整理患者临床表型资料,进行表型-基因型关联分析.结果 家系1中SOD1基因外显子2的H46R杂合突变,即CAT→CGT,使得46位由编码组氨酸变为编码精氨酸.先证者48岁,女性,43岁起病,主要表现为肢体无力和萎缩.家系中其他3例患者首发症状与先证者相似,病情进展均较缓慢,生存期较长.家系2中先证者20岁,男性,临床表现为延髓性麻痹,病程进展快速,生存期1年,位于3号外显子的杂合突变,即G72C突变.其父亲也出现同样的突变,但无ALS临床表现,其姑姑也有类似病史.家系3中5例患者5号外显子的E133V杂合突变,先证者中年起病,病程逐渐进展,生存期5年.结论 H46R的杂合突变国内未见报道,国外日本人曾多次报道及巴基斯坦有1个家系报道,欧美均未见报道,推测此突变可能为亚裔所特有.G72C突变的家系,临床表型为较早发病,病程进展迅速,生存期1年,突变外显率低导致家族成员不发病,常被诊断为散发病例,因此对于散发性患者及其家族成员同时检测SOD1基因突变十分必要.E133V突变的家系为国际首先报道.     

Disruption of the structure of the Golgi apparatus and the function of the secretory pathway by mutants G93A and G85R of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The Golgi apparatus of motor neurons (GA) is fragmented in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in familial ALS with SOD1 mutations, and in mice that express SOD1G93A of familial ALS, in which it was detected months before paralysis. In paralyzed transgenic mice expressing SOD1G93A or SOD1G85R, mutant proteins aggregated not only in the cytoplasm of motor neurons, but also in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, aggregation of the G85R protein damaged astrocytes and was associated with rapidly progressing disease. In order to gain insight into the functional state of the fragmented GA, we examined the effects of S0D1 mutants G93A and G85R in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO). In contrast to cells expressing the wt and G93A, the G85R expressers had no SOD1 activity. However, cells expressing both mutants, and to a lesser degree the wt, showed decreased survival, fragmentation of the GA, and dysfunction of the secretory pathway, which was assessed by measuring the amount of cell surface co-expressed CD4, a glycoprotein processed through the GA. The G93A and wt proteins were partially recovered in detergent insoluble fractions; while the recovery of G85R was minimal. Both mutants showed equal reductions of cell survival and function of the secretory pathway, in comparison to the wt and cells expressing mutant alsin, a protein found in rare cases of fALS. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the two SOD1 mutants, by an unknown mechanism, promote the dispersion of the GA and the dysfunction of the secretory pathway. This and other in vitro models of mutant SOD1 toxicity may prove useful in the elucidation of pathogenetic mechanisms.     

Histological Evidence of Protein Aggregation in Mutant SOD1 Transgenic Mice and in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Neural Tissues

The mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) are not well understood, but cytosolic protein aggregates appear to be common in sporadic and familial ALS as well as transgenic mouse models expressing mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). In this study, we systematically evaluated the presence of these aggregates in three different mouse models (G93A, G85R, and G37R SOD1) and compared these aggregates to those seen in cases of sporadic and familial ALS. Inclusions and loss of motor neurons were observed in spinal cords of all of these three mutant transgenic lines. Since a copper-mediated toxicity hypothesis has been proposed to explain the cytotoxic gain-of-function of mutant SOD1, we sought to determine the involvement of the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) in the formation of protein aggregates. Although all aggregates contained CCS, SOD1 was not uniformly found in the inclusions. Similarly, CCS-positive skein-like inclusions were rarely seen in ALS neurons. These studies do not provide strong evidence for a causal role of CCS in aggregate formation, but they do suggest that protein aggregation is a common event in all animal models of the disease. Selected proteins, such as the glutamate transporter GLT-1, were not typically observed within the inclusions. Most inclusions were positively stained with antibodies recognizing ubiquitin, proteasome, Hsc70 in transgenic lines, and some Hsc70-positive inclusions were detected in sporadic ALS cases. Overall, these observations suggest that inclusions might be sequestered into ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and some chaperone proteins such as Hsc70 may be involved in formation and/or degradation of these inclusions.     

Calcium dysregulation, mitochondrial pathology and protein aggregation in a culture model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: mechanistic relationship and differential sensitivity to intervention

The combination of Ca(2+) influx during neurotransmission and low cytosolic Ca(2+) buffering contributes to the preferential vulnerability of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study investigated the relationship among Ca(2+) accumulation in intracellular compartments, mitochondrial abnormalities, and protein aggregation in a model of familial ALS (fALS1). Human SOD1, wild type (SOD1(WT)) or with the ALS-causing mutation G93A (SOD1(G93A)), was expressed in motor neurons of dissociated murine spinal cord-dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures. Elevation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](m)), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) and rounding of mitochondria occurred early, followed by increased endoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](ER)), elevated cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](c)), and subsequent appearance of SOD1(G93A) inclusions (a consequence of protein aggregation). [Ca(2+)](c) was elevated to a greater extent in neurons with inclusions than in those with diffusely distributed SOD1(G93A) and promoted aggregation of mutant protein, not vice versa: both [Ca(2+)](c) and the percentage of neurons with SOD1(G93A) inclusions were reduced by co-expressing the cytosolic Ca(2+)-buffering protein, calbindin D-28K; treatment with the heat shock protein inducer, geldanamycin, prevented inclusions but not the increase in [Ca(2+)](c), [Ca(2+)](m) or loss of Δψ, and inhibiting proteasome activity with epoxomicin, known to promote aggregation of disease-causing mutant proteins including SOD1(G93A), had no effect on Ca(2+) levels. Both expression of SOD1(G93A) and epoxomicin-induced inhibition of proteasome activity caused mitochondrial rounding, independent of Ca(2+) dysregulation and reduced Δψ. That geldanamycin prevented inclusions and mitochondrial rounding, but not Ca(2+) dysregulation or loss of Δψ indicates that chaperone-based therapies to prevent protein aggregation may require co-therapy to address these other underlying mechanisms of toxicity.     

Cerebral neurons of transgenic ALS mice are vulnerable to glutamate release stimulation but not to increased extracellular glutamate due to transport blockade

Mechanisms of motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are unknown, but it has been postulated that excitotoxicity due to excessive glutamatergic neurotransmission by decreased efficiency of glutamate transport may be involved in both familial (FALS) and sporadic ALS. Using microdialysis in vivo, we tested the effects of the glutamate transport inhibitor L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (PDC) and of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), which stimulates glutamate release from nerve endings, in the hippocampus and motor cortex of wild type (WT) and transgenic SOD1/G93A mice, an established model of FALS. Perfusion of 4-AP induced convulsions, expression of the inducible stress-marker heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) and hippocampal neuronal loss. These effects were similar in both WT and G93A mice, and, in both groups, they were prevented by the previous systemic administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. In contrast, perfusion of PDC resulted in a large and long-lasting (2 h) increase of extracellular glutamate, but no convulsions, neuronal damage or HSP70 expression were observed in either the WT or the G93A mice. Our results demonstrate that SOD1 G93A mutation does not enhance the vulnerability to endogenous glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in brain, neither by blocking glutamate transport nor by stimulating its release. Therefore, these data do not support the possibility that glutamate transport deficiency may be an important factor of brain neuronal degeneration in familial ALS.     

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate delays onset, prolongs survival, and slows progression of disease in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Mutations in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause a form of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The pathogenesis of familial ALS may be associated with aberrant copper chemistry through a cysteine residue in mutant SOD1. Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) is a copper-chelating drug that is capable of removing a copper ion from copper-thiolate clusters, such as SOD1. We found that TTM exerted therapeutic benefits in a mouse model of familial ALS (SOD1^G93A). TTM treatment significantly delayed disease onset, slowed disease progression and prolonged survival by approximately 20%, 42% and 25%, respectively. TTM also effectively depressed the spinal copper ion level and inhibited lipid peroxidation, with a significant suppression of SOD1 enzymatic activity in SOD1^G93A. These results support the hypothesis that aberrant copper chemistry through a cysteine residue plays a critical role in mutant SOD1 toxicity and that TTM may be a promising therapy for familial ALS with SOD1 mutants.     

Dorfin ameliorates phenotypes in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration and leads to death within a few years of diagnosis. One of the pathogenic mechanisms of ALS is proposed to be a dysfunction in the protein quality‐control machinery. Dorfin has been identified as a ubiquitin ligase (E3) that recognizes and ubiquitinates mutant SOD1 proteins, thereby accelerating their degradation and reducing their cellular toxicity. We examined the effects of human Dorfin overexpression in G93A mutant SOD1 transgenic mice, a mouse model of familial ALS. In addition to causing a decrease in the amount of mutant SOD1 protein in the spinal cord, Dorfin overexpression ameliorated neurological phenotypes and motor neuron degeneration. Our results indicate that Dorfin overexpression or the activation or induction of E3 may be a therapeutic avenue for mutant SOD1‐associated ALS. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Astrocytes drive upregulation of the multidrug resistance transporter ABCB1 (P‐Glycoprotein) in endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier in mutant superoxide dismutase 1‐linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The efficacy of drugs targeting the CNS is influenced by their limited brain access, which can lead to complete pharmacoresistance. Recently a tissue‐specific and selective upregulation of the multidrug efflux transporter ABCB1 or P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) in the spinal cord of both patients and the mutant SOD1‐G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease that prevalently kills motor neurons has been reported. Here, we extended the analysis of P‐gp expression in the SOD1‐G93A ALS mouse model and found that P‐gp upregulation was restricted to endothelial cells of the capillaries, while P‐gp expression was not detected in other cells of the spinal cord parenchyma such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. Using both in vitro human and mouse models of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), we found that mutant SOD1 astrocytes were driving P‐gp upregulation in endothelial cells. In addition, a significant increase in reactive oxygen species production, Nrf2 and NFκB activation in endothelial cells exposed to mutant SOD1 astrocytes in both human and murine BBB models were observed. Most interestingly, astrocytes expressing FUS‐H517Q, a different familial ALS‐linked mutated gene, also drove NFκB‐dependent upregulation of P‐gp. However, the pathway was not dependent on oxidative stress but rather involved TNF‐α release. Overall, these findings indicated that nuclear translocation of NFκB was a converging mechanism used by endothelial cells of the BBB to upregulate P‐gp expression in mutant SOD1‐linked ALS and possibly other forms of familial ALS. GLIA 2016 GLIA 2016;64:1298–1313     

RNAi and neurological disease]

In many of autosomal dominant diseases such as familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutation, a missense point mutation may induce the disease by its gain of adverse property. Similar 'gain of toxic function' of mutant protein is predicted to cause cell death in other autosomal dominant neurodegenerative diseases such as familial Alzheimer disease, prion disease, polyglutamine diseases and Parkinson disease. In all these familial diseases, one rational approach to therapy is to develop a method to specifically eliminate the aberrant protein. Duplex of 21-nt RNA, known as siRNA, has recently emerged as a powerful tool to silence gene. Mutant-allele specific gene silencing with siRNA was showed in familial ALS and Machado-Joseph diseases. We made the transgenic (Tg) mouse of modified small interfering RNA (siRNA). By crossing this anti-SOD1 siRNA Tg mouse with a SOD1(G93A) Tg mouse as a model for ALS, siRNA halted the development of disease by inhibiting mutant G93A SOD1. Our results support the feasibility of utilizing siRNA-based gene therapy of neurodegenerative diseases of autosomal dominant inheritance.