Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans
Abstract Background Neurodegenerative diseases (NGDs) such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are debilitating and largely untreatable conditions strongly linked to age. The clinical, neuropathological, and genetic components of NGDs indicate that neurodegeneration is a complex trait determined by multi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-05-01
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| Series: | Human Genomics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40246-017-0108-4 |
| _version_ | 1798041247289442304 |
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| author | Yiru Anning Wang Jan Edward Kammenga Simon Crawford Harvey |
| author_facet | Yiru Anning Wang Jan Edward Kammenga Simon Crawford Harvey |
| author_sort | Yiru Anning Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Neurodegenerative diseases (NGDs) such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are debilitating and largely untreatable conditions strongly linked to age. The clinical, neuropathological, and genetic components of NGDs indicate that neurodegeneration is a complex trait determined by multiple genes and by the environment. Main body The symptoms of NGDs differ among individuals due to their genetic background, and this variation affects the onset and progression of NGD and NGD-like states. Such genetic variation affects the molecular and cellular processes underlying NGDs, leading to differential clinical phenotypes. So far, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms of individual background variation. Here, we consider how variation between genetic backgrounds affects the mechanisms of aging and proteostasis in NGD phenotypes. We discuss how the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to identify the role of variation between genetic backgrounds. Additionally, we review advances in C. elegans methods that can facilitate the identification of NGD regulators and/or networks. Conclusion Genetic variation both in disease genes and in regulatory factors that modulate onset and progression of NGDs are incompletely understood. The nematode C. elegans represents a valuable system in which to address such questions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:18:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-14e0de4f9ed34fd8a05f78ca7e75235d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-7364 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:18:49Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Genomics |
| spelling | doaj.art-14e0de4f9ed34fd8a05f78ca7e75235d2022-12-22T04:00:17ZengBMCHuman Genomics1479-73642017-05-0111111010.1186/s40246-017-0108-4Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegansYiru Anning Wang0Jan Edward Kammenga1Simon Crawford Harvey2Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Science, Canterbury Christ Church UniversityLaboratory of Nematology, Wageningen UniversityBiomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Science, Canterbury Christ Church UniversityAbstract Background Neurodegenerative diseases (NGDs) such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are debilitating and largely untreatable conditions strongly linked to age. The clinical, neuropathological, and genetic components of NGDs indicate that neurodegeneration is a complex trait determined by multiple genes and by the environment. Main body The symptoms of NGDs differ among individuals due to their genetic background, and this variation affects the onset and progression of NGD and NGD-like states. Such genetic variation affects the molecular and cellular processes underlying NGDs, leading to differential clinical phenotypes. So far, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms of individual background variation. Here, we consider how variation between genetic backgrounds affects the mechanisms of aging and proteostasis in NGD phenotypes. We discuss how the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to identify the role of variation between genetic backgrounds. Additionally, we review advances in C. elegans methods that can facilitate the identification of NGD regulators and/or networks. Conclusion Genetic variation both in disease genes and in regulatory factors that modulate onset and progression of NGDs are incompletely understood. The nematode C. elegans represents a valuable system in which to address such questions.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40246-017-0108-4Neurodegenerative diseasesNatural variationQuantitative geneticsC. elegans |
| spellingShingle | Yiru Anning Wang Jan Edward Kammenga Simon Crawford Harvey Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans Human Genomics Neurodegenerative diseases Natural variation Quantitative genetics C. elegans |
| title | Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans |
| title_full | Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans |
| title_fullStr | Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans |
| title_short | Genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans |
| title_sort | genetic variation in neurodegenerative diseases and its accessibility in the model organism caenorhabditis elegans |
| topic | Neurodegenerative diseases Natural variation Quantitative genetics C. elegans |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40246-017-0108-4 |
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