Neuro-glial lipid imbalance in a Drosophila model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 8

Membrane Contact sites (MCS) have emerged as physiologically relevant zones that coordinate inter-organelle communication and cellular function. VAPB, an ER-resident MCS tethering protein, plays a central role in regulating MCSs through its numerous protein interactors, thereby influencing cellular homeostasis. A pathogenic missense VAPB ^P56S mutation causes familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 8 (ALS8) in humans, with progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The precise mechanisms underlying the motor neurodegeneration remain poorly understood.

In this study, we examine lipid imbalance in the brain of a Drosophila model of ALS8 ( VAPB ^P58S ) . Specifically, we find that lipid homeostasis is disrupted in an age-dependent manner. Strikingly, cholesterol esters and sphingolipids show an age-dependent increase, while cholesterol shows a decrease. Intriguingly, from a cellular perspective, despite the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in the brains of VAPB ^P58S animals, the increased neutral lipid species do not correlate with lipid droplets (LDs), which are fewer in density and smaller in size. Lipid imbalance and progressive motor dysfunction in VAPB ^P58S animals can be reversed by expressing VAPB ^WT , suggesting a relationship between VAPB activity and lipid flux.

To uncover VAPB’s role in lipid homeostasis, we modulate VAPB activity in neurons and glia to dissect out tissue-specific roles. We find that both cell types contribute to lipid homeostasis in differential ways. In glia, LD flux is strongly dependent on VAPB activity, a dependence further recapitulated in cultured human cell lines, suggesting evolutionary conservation of the regulatory mechanism.

Thus, we hypothesise that lipid dysregulation constitutes a critical pathogenic feature of ALS8, with the VAPB ^P56S allele disrupting lipid homeostasis in the neuro-glial axis.

Summary Statement

The ER-membrane tethering protein VAPB regulates lipid homeostasis