Modulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: An Opportunity to Prevent Neurodegeneration?

Title:Modulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: An Opportunity to Prevent Neurodegeneration?

Volume: 14 Issue: 4

Author(s): Ana I. Placido, Claudia M.F. Pereira, Ana I. Duarte, Emanuel Candeias, Sonia C. Correia, Cristina Carvalho, Susana Cardoso, Catarina R. Oliveira and Paula I. Moreira

Affiliation:

Keywords: Endoplasmic reticulum, neurodegeneration, therapeutic targets, unfolded protein response.

Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and prion-related diseases) have in common the presence of protein aggregates in specific brain areas where significant neuronal loss is detected. In these pathologies, accumulating evidence supports a close correlation between neurodegeneration and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a condition that arises from ER lumen overload with misfolded proteins. Under these conditions, ER stress sensors initiate the unfolded protein response to restore normal ER function. If stress is too prolonged, or adaptive responses fail, apoptotic cell death ensues. Therefore, it was recently suggested that the manipulation of the ER unfolded protein response could be an effective strategy to avoid neuronal loss in neurodegenerative disorders. We will review the mechanisms underlying ER stress-associated neurodegeneration and discuss the possibility of ER as a therapeutic target.

Cite this article as:

Placido Ana I., Pereira M.F. Claudia, Duarte I. Ana, Candeias Emanuel, Correia C. Sonia, Carvalho Cristina, Cardoso Susana, Oliveira R. Catarina and Moreira I. Paula, Modulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: An Opportunity to Prevent Neurodegeneration?, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2015; 14 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527314666150429112353