Understanding how ubiquitin-based protein condensates affect protein quality control in ALS
Official title: Architecture and function of condensates formed by ubiquitin-binding shuttle proteins and protein quality control components
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11336924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how specific protein condensates built from ubiquitin-binding shuttle proteins influence cell cleaning processes to help treat ALS and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $411,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM158070-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with ALS or related motor neuron diseases and those with genetic or biomarker hints of ubiquitin-mediated quality control dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ALS or related neurodegenerative conditions may not directly benefit from these mechanisms.
What this research studies
This project looks at how ubiquitin-mediated protein quality control forms condensates inside cells and how these structures influence stress responses and protein degradation pathways. By exploring how these condensates assemble and interact with proteasomes and autophagy components, the team aims to uncover new angles for preventing harmful protein buildup in motor neuron disease. The work combines cell biology, biochemistry, and imaging to map how condensate behavior relates to ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Findings could point to targets for therapies that restore proper protein cleanup in neurons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Advances could lead to new strategies to prevent or slow degeneration in ALS by improving cellular waste disposal mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that condensate formation and ubiquitin interactions can influence protein cleanup, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castaneda, Carlos Antonio — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Castaneda, Carlos Antonio
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how motor neurons become and stay specialized in ALS
Scientists are studying how motor neurons acquire and keep their specialized identity to uncover new ways to help people with ALS.
-
Biobehavioral validation of the ADHD emotion dysregulation phenotype
A study with children who have ADHD is testing how emotion regulation and thinking skills fit together to better understand why ADHD shows up differently in kids.
-
Neuronal Cholesterol Enzyme CYP46A1 and Rett Syndrome biology
A study in Rett syndrome explores whether tweaking a brain cholesterol enzyme called CYP46A1 could help with the disease by affecting brain pathways involved in Rett.
-
Biophysical model of stellate mesenchyme and its role in shaping tissues
Aiming to build a first-of-its-kind model to understand how stellate mesenchyme shapes tissue growth and how defects can lead to Caudal Regression Syndrome and related cancers.
-
IDP sensors and memory molecules in environmental responses for neurodegenerative diseases
A project explores how flexible proteins in cells sense and remember environmental changes, with potential relevance to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
-
ACT for HIV+ drinkers: a guided, phone-based program to help reduce hazardous alcohol use
A phone-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program is being tested to help adults with HIV who drink Hazardously cut back on alcohol and improve health-related outcomes.
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.