Targeted plasma proteomics uncover proteins associated with KIF5A-linked SPG10 and ALS spectrum disorders

  • Jarosław Dulski
  • , Arun K. Boddapati
  • , Barbara Risi
  • , Pablo Iruzubieta
  • , Antonio Orlacchio
  • , Roberto Fernández-Torrón
  • , Tamara Castillo-Triviño
  • , Adolfo López de Munain
  • , Steve Vucic
  • , Alessandro Padovani
  • , Laura Donker Kaat
  • , Tahsin Stefan Barakat
  • , Leonard Petrucelli
  • , Mercedes Prudencio
  • , John E. Landers
  • , Jochen H. Weishaupt
  • , Andreas Prokop
  • , Massimiliano Filosto
  • , Zbigniew K. Wszolek
  • , Devesh C. Pant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

KIF5A (Kinesin family member 5A) is a motor protein that functions as a key component of the axonal transport machinery. Variants in KIF5A are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, mainly spastic paraplegia type 10 (SPG10), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases share motor neuron involvement but vary significantly in clinical presentation, severity, and progression. KIF5A variants are mainly categorized into N-terminal variants associated with SPG10/CMT2 and C-terminal variants linked to ALS. This study utilized a multiplex NULISA targeted platform to analyze plasma proteome from KIF5A-linked SPG10 and ALS individuals and compare them to healthy controls. Our results revealed distinct proteomic signatures, with significant alterations in proteins related to synaptic function and inflammation. Notably, neurofilament light polypeptide, a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases, was elevated in KIF5A ALS but not in SPG10 individuals. Moreover, these findings can now be used to gain mechanistic understanding of axonopathies linking to N- versus C-terminal KIF5A variants affecting both central and peripheral nervous systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number100498
JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2026

Keywords

  • KIF5A, spastic paraplegia-10, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2, proteomics, neurofilament light chain, axonopathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics(clinical)

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