Fig. 6: A schematic model summarizing our findings on the role of mutant FUS in inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA instability in ALS/FTD, and its amelioration by targeted expression of DNA Lig1. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: A schematic model summarizing our findings on the role of mutant FUS in inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA instability in ALS/FTD, and its amelioration by targeted expression of DNA Lig1.

From: FUS unveiled in mitochondrial DNA repair and targeted ligase-1 expression rescues repair-defects in FUS-linked motor neuron disease

Fig. 6

The optimal FUS recruitment to mitochondria is critical for maintaining mtDNA integrity, as FUS promotes mtDNA Lig3 function through direct interaction, independent of XRCC1 in healthy neurons. However, ALS pathology associated FUS mutations lead to nuclear clearance and increased mitochondrial localization of FUS, and the mutant FUS fails to interact with mtLig3, causing defective recruitment to mtDNA damage sites and increased mutational load, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. The targeted expression of Lig1 in FUS-mutated cell mitochondria restores DNA repair and improves overall mitochondrial function. Created with BioRender.com.

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