RNA Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease

Application

RNA for U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) subunits as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Key Benefits

• Identifies unique U1 snRNP pathology in AD patients that implicates abnormal RNA splicing in AD pathogenesis.
• Facilitates early diagnosis and intervention strategies for treatment of AD.
• Potential use as therapeutic targets for AD.

Technical Summary

U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1 snRNP) splicosome components accumulate in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Multiple U1 snRNP subunits form cytoplasmic tangle-like structures in AD patients but not in those with other disorders including Parkinson’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Emory researchers, Drs. Levey and Lah and colleagues found that brain RNA from AD brains displayed dysregulated splicing and an accumulation of unspliced RNA species. They found that U1 snRNP subunits were highly correlated with Aβ rather than with tau, which further supports the conclusion that U1 snRNP accumulation is specific to AD and occurs early in the development of AD.

Developmental Stage

Specific RNA and protein changes have been identified and further characterization is underway.