The Multifaceted Role of GPCRs in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A New Therapeutic Perspective?

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Apr 19;23(9):4504. doi: 10.3390/ijms23094504.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerating disease involving the motor neurons, which causes a progressive loss of movement ability, usually leading to death within 2 to 5 years from the diagnosis. Much effort has been put into research for an effective therapy for its eradication, but still, no cure is available. The only two drugs approved for this pathology, Riluzole and Edaravone, are onlyable to slow down the inevitable disease progression. As assessed in the literature, drug targets such as protein kinases have already been extensively examined as potential drug targets for ALS, with some molecules already in clinical trials. Here, we focus on the involvement of another very important and studied class of biological entities, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in the onset and progression of ALS. This workaimsto give an overview of what has been already discovered on the topic, providing useful information and insights that can be used by scientists all around the world who are putting efforts into the fight against this very important neurodegenerating disease.

Keywords: ALS; GPCR; adenosine; adrenergic; amyotrophic; cannabinoid; glutamate; histamine; sclerosis; serotonin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Edaravone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Motor Neurons
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Riluzole / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Riluzole
  • Edaravone