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Neurodegeneration in Familal Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:47 authored by Robert GasperiniRobert Gasperini, David SmallDavid Small

1. Familial amyloid polyneuropathies (FAP) constitute a group of inherited amyloidoses that affect peripheral nerves. One common form of FAP is caused by transthyretin (TTR) misfolding and deposition in the peripheral nervous system, leading to neuronal toxicity and death.

2. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this toxicity are unclear, however there is good biochemical and histopathological evidence that the toxicity of TTR mutations is correlated to their aggregation state. In addittion, neuronal calcium dysregulation is a mechanism that has been suggested to drive the pathogenesis of FAP.

3. Amyloidogenic TTR mutations cause significant calcium influx via L-type calcium channels in neuronal cell lines, while in primary sensory neurons, TTR mediates a calcium influx via a novel mechanism of transient receptor potential melanostatin (TRPM8) and voltage-gated sodium and calcium channel activation.

4. Significantly, calcium dysregulation is a pathological hallmark of other neurodegenerative diseases involving amyloidosis, for example Alzheimer's disease, and this mechanism could explain the molecular events that drive amyloid toxicity in other neurodegenerative diseases.

History

Publication title

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology

Volume

39

Issue

8

Pagination

680-683

ISSN

0305-1870

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Asia

Place of publication

54 University St, P O Box 378, Carlton, Australia, Victoria, 3053

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 The Authors, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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