How the RNA tagger METTL3 affects motor neuron health and TDP-43 in Alzheimer’s and related disorders
Official title: METTL3-mediated regulation of motor neuron function
Funded at Hunter College · NIH-11134645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether changes to an RNA chemical tag added by METTL3 change how the protein TDP-43 behaves in motor neurons, which may matter for people with Alzheimer's disease and ALS/FTD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hunter College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $353,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084965-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, or related frontotemporal dementias — or those willing to donate biological samples — would be most relevant to this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodegenerative brain or motor neuron disorders or those seeking immediate treatment effects are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
This lab-focused project studies a small chemical mark on RNA called m6A, added by the enzyme METTL3, and how it controls the TDP-43 protein that is linked to Alzheimer’s and ALS/FTD. Researchers will use stem cell-derived motor neurons and molecular tools to reduce or alter m6A marks and then watch where TDP-43 goes inside cells and how neurons function. They will measure RNA modifications, protein levels, and neuron health and behavior to see if losing m6A causes harmful changes. The work aims to reveal molecular steps that could be targeted in future patient therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to slow or prevent neuron damage in Alzheimer’s disease and ALS/FTD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies have linked m6A regulation and TDP-43 biology, but applying these findings to Alzheimer’s and ALS/FTD is relatively new and has not yet produced proven treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
Hunter College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lotti, Francesco — Hunter College
- Study coordinator: Lotti, Francesco
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.