NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES / Neurobiology
Research Interests
Mechanisms of neurodegeneration in human diseases using Drosophila genetics.
Description of Research
In our laboratory we have created fruit fly models of the most common human neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease and (AD) and Spastic Paraplegia. By modulating the expression of conserved proteins, we have recreated the main characteristics of the human disorders in flies. We are now utilizing the genetic tools developed in Drosophila to identify genes and metabolic pathways controlling the onset and progression of ALS. Similar strategy was taken to study AD and Spastic Paraplegia. We hope that these studies will provide insight into neuronal homeostasis and lead to new treatments.
Recent Publications
Romano, G., Holodkov, N., Klima, R., Grilli, F., Guarnaccia, C., Nizzardo, M., Rizzo, F., Garcia, R., Feiguin, F. 2018. Downregulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase in Drosophila TDP-43-null brains provokes paralysis by affecting the organization of the neuromuscular synapses. Sci Rep doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19802-3 PubMed link
Langellotti, S., Romano, G., Feiguin, F., Baralle, F.E., Romano, M. 2018. RhoGAPp190: A potential player in tbph-mediated neurodegeneration in Drosophila. PLoS One 13 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195845. eCollection 2018 PubMed link
Lo Piccolo, L., Bonaccorso, R., Attardi, A., Li, Greci, L., Romano, G., Sollazzo, M., Giurato, G., Ingrassia, A.M.R., Feiguin, F., Corona, D.F.V., Onorati, M.C. 2018. Loss of ISWI Function in Drosophila Nuclear Bodies Drives Cytoplasmic Redistribution of Drosophila TDP-43. Int J Mol Sci 19 pii: E1082. doi: 10.3390/ijms19041082 PubMed link
Appocher, C., Mohagheghi, F., Cappelli, S., Stuani, C., Romano, M., Feiguin, F., Buratti, E. 2017. Major hnRNP proteins act as general TDP-43 functional modifiers both in Drosophila and human neuronal cells. Nucleic Acids Res doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx477 PubMed link
Di Giorgio, M.L., Esposito, A., Maccallini, P., Micheli, E., Bavasso, F., Gallotta, I., Vernì, F., Feiguin, F., Cacchione, S., McCabe, B.D., Di Schiavi, E., Raffa, G.D. 2017. WDR79/TCAB1 plays a conserved role in the control of locomotion and ameliorates phenotypic defects in SMA models. Neurobiol Dis doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.05.005 PubMed link
Langellotti, S., Romano, V., Romano, G., Klima, R., Feiguin, F., Cragnaz, L., Romano, M., Baralle, F.E. 2016. A novel fly model of TDP-43 proteinopathies: N-terminus sequences combined with the Q/N domain induce protein functional loss and locomotion defects. Dis Model Mech pii: dmm.023382 PubMed link
