Maple syrup decreases TDP-43 proteotoxicity in a caenorhabditis elegans model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Journal article

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease causing death of the motor neurons. Proteotoxicity caused by TDP-43 protein is an important aspect of ALS pathogenesis, with TDP-43 being the main constituent of the aggregates found in patients. We have previously tested the effect of different sugars on the proteotoxicity caused by the expression of mutant TDP-43 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we tested maple syrup, a natural compound containing many active molecules including sugars and phenols, for neuroprotective activity. Maple syrup decreased several age-dependent phenotypes caused by the expression of TDP-43A315T in C. elegans motor neurons and requires the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16 to be effective.

Authors: Aaron, C; Beaudry, G; Parker, J; Therrien, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 17
• Pages: 3338–3344
• Publication date: 2016-04-13
• Acceptance date: 2016-04-13
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05432
• EISSN: 1520-5118
• ISSN: 0021-8561
• Keywords: maple syrup; ALS; C. elegans; TDP-43