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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Primary Cultures of Rat Astrocytes and Microglia and Their Use in the Study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: June 23, 2022
Role of transition metals in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Willianne I M Vonk1, Leo W J Klomp
1Department of Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands Metabolomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in selective degeneration of motor neurons in brain and spinal cord and muscle atrophy. In approx. 2% of all cases, the disease is caused by a mutation in the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. The transition metals zinc and copper regulate SOD1 protein stability and activity, and disbalance of the homoeostasis of these metals has therefore been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALS. Recent data strengthen the hypothesis that these transition metals are excellent potential targets to develop an effective therapy for ALS.
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