Martin L. Duennwald

Dr. Martin L. Duennwald

University of Western Ontario

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
28 April 2021 in The FASEB Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
LLLilian Tsai‐Wei Lin
Lilian Tsai‐Wei Lin
ARAbdul Razzaq
Abdul Razzaq
SGSonja E. Di Gregorio
Sonja E. Di Gregorio
SHSoojie Hong
Soojie Hong
BCBrendan Charles
Brendan Charles
MDMartin L. Duennwald
Martin L. Duennwald

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ADAllison Dilliott
Allison Dilliott
CACatherine Andary
Catherine Andary
MSMeaghan Stoltz
Meaghan Stoltz
APAndrey A. Petropavlovskiy
Andrey A. Petropavlovskiy
SFSali Farhan
Sali Farhan
MDMartin L. Duennwald
Martin L. Duennwald
Protein misfolding is a common basis of many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Misfolded proteins, such as TDP-43, FUS, Matrin3, and SOD1, mislocalize and form the hallmark cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions in neurons of ALS patients. Cellular protein quality control prevents protein misfolding under normal conditions and, particularly, when cells experience protein folding stress due to the fact of increased levels of reactive oxygen species, genetic mutations, or aging. Molecular chaperones can prevent protein misfolding, refold misfolded proteins, or triage misfolded proteins for degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system or autophagy. DnaJC7 is an evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone that contains both a J-domain for the interaction with Hsp70s and tetratricopeptide domains for interaction with Hsp90, thus joining these two major chaperones’ machines. Genetic analyses reveal that pathogenic variants in the gene encoding DnaJC7 cause familial and sporadic ALS. Yet, the underlying ALS-associated molecular pathophysiology and many basic features of DnaJC7 function remain largely unexplored. Here, we review aspects of DnaJC7 expression, interaction, and function to propose a loss-of-function mechanism by which pathogenic variants in DNAJC7 contribute to defects in DnaJC7-mediated chaperoning that might ultimately contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS.