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Genome damage and their defective repair have been etiologically linked to degenerating neurons in many subtypes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients; however, the specific mechanisms remain enigmatic. The majority of sporadic ALS patients feature abnormalities in the transactivation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), whose nucleo-cytoplasmic mislocalization is characteristically observed in spinal motor neurons. While emerging evidence suggests involvement of other RNA/DNA binding proteins, like FUS in DNA damage response (DDR), the role of TDP-43 in DDR has not been investigated. Here, we report that TDP-43 is a critical component of the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway. TDP-43 is rapidly recruited at DSB sites to stably interact with DDR and NHEJ factors, specifically acting as a scaffold for the recruitment of break-sealing XRCC4-DNA ligase 4 complex at DSB sites in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons. shRNA or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated conditional depletion of TDP-43 markedly increases accumulation of genomic DSBs by impairing NHEJ repair, and thereby, sensitizing neurons to DSB stress. Finally, TDP-43 pathology strongly correlates with DSB repair defects, and damage accumulation in the neuronal genomes of sporadic ALS patients and in Caenorhabditis elegans mutant with TDP-1 loss-of-function. Our findings thus link TDP-43 pathology to impaired DSB repair and persistent DDR signaling in motor neuron disease, and suggest that DSB repair-targeted therapies may ameliorate TDP-43 toxicity-induced genome instability in motor neuron disease.
I am a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at University of Newcastle, UK. I am a member of the Population Health Sciences Institute, and my work aligns with the Children and Families theme.
My research is in neurological disorders of children, particularly those of cerebral palsy and neurocognition. I am working on projects which address the way in which the motor system can adapt to early damage. I am also studying interventions in perinatal stroke. I am also more broadly interested in how to support and advocate for children with neurodisabilities and their families.
2020: Supervisor for Henry Miller Studentship (Newcastle University) with Pennington and Khatab: Personalised speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy using acoustic and phonological analytics.
2019-2020: GNCH Foundation. 27 099. Does participation in the Training in early Detection for Early Intervention (TEDEI) e-learning course improve knowledge and change clinical behaviour of healthcare professionals? Co-applicant with Janice Pearse.
2019-2023: Co-supervisor for Integrated Clinical Academic Programme Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship Claire Marcroft (NIHR) Improving the quality and value of enhanced developmental surveillance and support for preterm infants and their families. 249 149
2018-2021: Supervisor for Integrated Clinical Academic Programme Clinical Doctoral Fellowship Phillip Harniess (NIHR): Optimising parent engagement with early intervention physical therapy for their infants with emerging cerebral palsy. 231 074
2017-2021: Lead supervisor for PhD studentship (ESRC NINE DTP, 1 3) Development and validation of a parent-completed screening checklist for early movement abnormalities indicating a high risk of development of cerebral palsy to Jess Baggaley. 80000
2015-2017: NIHR HTA 273 139. Standing frames as part of postural management for children with spasticity. What is the acceptability of a trial to determine the efficacy of standing frames? Co-Investigator.
2014: Development and manualisation of a therapy-based intervention for infants at risk of hemiplegic cerebral palsy. 10 184. NIHR Research Capability Funding, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. CI.
2013: Play-based therapy to improve upper limb function in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. NIHR Research Capability Fund, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (to support OT input to trial) 10005.
2012: Paul Polani Research Award, British Association of Childhood Disability (PI). The use of taping to improve thumb and wrist posture and hand use in infants with non-progressive brain lesions affecting hand function. 7473.
2010: Special Trustees, Newcastle Healthcare Charity (CI). Development of an electronically instrumented pegboard test for assessing manual dexterity in children including those with significant motor disability. 4334
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