RNA-Protein Interaction Is Essential to Nerve Cell Communication, Study Finds

The interaction between an RNA molecule and a protein is essential for the growth of axons, the portion of movement nerve cells responsible for communicating with other nerve cells, a study reports. Researchers identified the RNA molecule as 7SK and the protein as hnRNP R. The study, “hnRNP R and its…

Three organizations that are fighting neurodegenerative disorders have teamed up to challenge researchers around the world to come up with new treatment approaches. The ALS Association, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) and Teva Pharmaceuticals have started the crowdsourcing effort, known as the Teva CNS Target Identification…

This 2014 Roundabout U video is all about Todd Walker from Murray, Kentucky. Todd shares his ALS story, which began when he was suddenly unable to exercise like usual. At first, doctors thought Todd was suffering from depression as he had just lost his father but as his symptoms began…

Genetic sequencing and the speed with which it can help diagnose a child’s disease — in addition to revealing the genes that cause at least half of the 7,000 rare diseases currently known — was the focus of a discussion by three top New York geneticists. The Feb. 28 conference,…

When it comes to rare diseases, one that definitely makes the list is spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress — SMARD,  for short. Hunter Pageau, a 12-year-old boy from North Haven, Connecticut, is one of only 80 people in the world known to have SMARD, a motor neuron disease…

Early this morning, Stephen Hawking passed away at the age of 76. While 76 doesn’t seem all that impressive with many living past 100 in this day and age — for Hawking, it was simply remarkable. Stephen Hawking was born on Jan. 8, 1942 in Oxford, England. He grew up…

Scientists have discovered a key role for the ALS-linked protein known as fused in sarcoma (FUS) in a system that is crucial to regulating gene expression. The study, “FUS Regulates Activity of MicroRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing,” was published in the journal Molecular Cell. FUS is a DNA/RNA-binding protein involved in repairing…

I recently volunteered to participate in the Precision Medicine Program (PMP) of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). I chose them because all of their funds go toward research, I like doing my part to help support the ALS community, and it allows me to participate…

Everyone suffers from stress from time to time but when you have a chronic disease, stress not only adds to your everyday burden but can often exacerbate the symptoms of your condition. While we can’t avoid stress altogether, there are ways that we help ourselves relax more and not let things…

Syracuse University researchers have obtained further insight into the protein UBQLN2, whose mutations have been associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “Ubiquitin Modulates Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of UBQLN2 via Disruption of Multivalent Interactions,” was published in the journal Molecular Cell. There are many…