Nemo-like kinase disrupts nuclear import and drives TDP43 mislocalization in ALS

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Abstract

Cytoplasmic TDP43 mislocalization and aggregation are pathological hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the initial cellular insults that lead to TDP43 mislocalization remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Nemo-like kinase (NLK) — a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase — promotes the mislocalization of TDP43 and other RNA-binding proteins by disrupting nuclear import. NLK levels are selectively elevated in neurons exhibiting TDP43 mislocalization in ALS patient tissues, while genetic reduction of NLK reduces toxicity in human neuron models of ALS. Our findings suggest that NLK is a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.

Authors

Michael E. Bekier II, Emile S. Pinarbasi, Gopinath Krishnan, Jack J. Mesojedec, Madelaine Hurley, Harisankar Harikumar Sheela, Catherine A. Collins, Layla T. Ghaffari, Martina de Majo, Erik M. Ullian, Mark Koontz, Sarah Coleman, Xingli Li, Elizabeth M.H. Tank, Jacob Waksmacki, Fen-Biao Gao, Sami J. Barmada