A Commentary on Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Compromised DNA Repair in Neurodegeneration: The Emerging Role of FUS in ALS

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Recent discoveries have highlighted the involvement of DNA damage and repair processes, particularly mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, in these conditions. This commentary reflects on our recent findings, demonstrating the RNA/DNA binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS)’s crucial role in maintaining mtDNA integrity through interactions with mitochondrial DNA ligase IIIα (mtLig3). Our studies provide direct evidence of increased mtDNA damage in ALS-linked FUS mutant cells, emphasizing the potential of targeting DNA repair pathways to mitigate neurodegeneration. Furthermore, the restoration of mitochondrial function through targeted expression of human DNA ligase 1 (Lig1) in FUS mutant models showcases the therapeutic promise of DNA repair mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. These insights offer new molecular understanding and open up future avenues for therapeutic interventions, particularly in FUS-associated ALS and related disorders.