S100A6, a calcium- and zinc-binding protein, is overexpressed in SOD1 mutant mice, a model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by selective degeneration of motoneurones. Familial ALS is an age-dependent autosomal dominant disorder in which mutations in the homodimeric enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is linked to the disease. An animal model for this disease is a transgenic mouse expressing the mutated human SOD1(G93A) gene. Recent electrophysiological data emphasised that the striking selective vulnerability of motoneurones might be due to their differential calcium buffering capacities. Therefore we have investigated, using immunohistochemistry, the expression of different calcium binding proteins in brainstem and spinal cord from normal and SOD1 mutated mice. Among the 13 calcium-binding proteins screened, only one, S100A6, a homodimeric calcium-binding protein able to bind four Zn(2+), appeared to be highly expressed in the SOD1 mutated mice. In brainstem, reactive astrocytes, but not motoneurones, from several regions, including nerve 12 root, were highly S100A6-positive. Hypoglossal nucleus was negative for S100A6. In dorsal root, reactive astrocytes from both white matter and anterior horn were highly reactive. If overexpression of S100A6 is specific for ALS, it will be a valuable diagnostic marker for this disease.