FUS-driven zebrafish model of ALS identifies tribenzylamine as a candidate modulator of ALS-associated pathology - 18/08/26
, Hae-Chul Park a, ⁎ 
Abstract |
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neuron loss and declining motor function; however, effective therapies remain limited. To support unbiased therapeutic discovery, we aimed to develop a high-throughput phenotypic screening platform based on a transgenic zebrafish model expressing the human ALS-associated FUS-R521C mutant (mtFUS). This model was generated using a modified QF-based binary expression system and exhibited early-onset pathological features, including elevated oxidative stress, progressive neuronal degeneration, and impaired locomotor activity, thereby recapitulating the key aspects of FUS-associated ALS. Transcriptomic profiling revealed molecular signatures resembling those reported in patient-derived motor neurons, including dysregulated neuroactive ligand–receptor signaling, immune activation, and stress–response pathway alterations. Using this platform, we identified tribenzylamine (TBA) as a candidate compound that improves locomotor performance and significantly reduces reactive oxygen species levels. Integrated transcriptomic and biochemical analyses suggested that TBA induces coordinated molecular changes, including normalization of neuronal activity-related gene expression, modulation of immune and metabolic pathways, and restoration of hormone-related signaling. TBA reversed FUS-induced reductions in key neuronally active sex steroids, including estrogen and progesterone, and increased estrogen-responsive gene expression, suggesting a partial recovery of neuronally active sex steroid homeostasis. These findings support the mtFUS zebrafish model as a useful platform for ALS drug discovery and identify TBA as a candidate modulator of ALS-associated phenotypes, with effects linked to transcriptomic remodeling and neuronally active sex steroid signaling.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Highlights |
• | A neuron-specific mtFUS zebrafish model recapitulates early ALS pathology. |
• | This model enables rapid, scalable, and in vivo functional ALS drug screening. |
• | High-throughput screening identified TBA as a potential therapeutic candidate. |
• | TBA restores locomotor deficits and reduces oxidative stress in mtFUS zebrafish. |
• | TBA normalized hormone/steroid biosynthesis and restored neurosteroid homeostasis. |
Keywords : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, FUS, High-throughput drug screening, Tribenzylamine, Neuronally active sex steroid, Zebrafish
Plan
Vol 202
Article 119761- septembre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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