Polypyrimidine Tract-binding Protein 2 is a Potential Treated Target in Tg(SOD1*G93A)1Gur Mice

Abstract The function of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 2 (PTBP2) is the regulator of neuronal fate during central nervous system development. The possible relationship between the PTBP2 and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) hasn’t been known. In this study, we observed and analyzed the expression and distribution of PTBP2, as well as the possible relationship between PTBP2 expression and distribution and the neural cell death in both SOD1 wild-type (WT) and Tg(SOD1*G93A)1Gur (TG) mice applying the immunofuorescence analysis and western blot analysis. Our data demonstrated that the PTBP2 expression and distribution significantly increased in the AH, the LH, and the surrounding CC region at the pre-onset, onset, and progression phases of ALS. PTBP2 protein isn't just expressed in mature neurons, yet additionally, in neuronal precursor cells, astrocytes, microglia. The increment of PTBP2 distribution was closely related to the death of neural cells at the development of ALS. PTBP2-expressing motor neurons were lost during the ALS disease process. Together, these results defined PTBP2 as a candidate therapeutic target for ALS, providing novel insights into mechanisms of vulnerability to motor neurons in ALS.