Wolfram syndrome: a monogenic model for diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration

Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a rare, progressive disorder characterized by childhood-onset diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, hearing loss, diabetes insipidus, and neurodegeneration. Currently, there is no effective treatment for WS, and patients typically die between 30 and 40 years of age. WS is...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fischer, Tom Tobias (Author) , Ehrlich, Barbara E. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: October 2020
In: Current opinion in physiology
Year: 2020, Volume: 17, Pages: 115-123
ISSN:2468-8673
DOI:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.07.009
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2020.07.009
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468867320300717
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Author Notes:Tom T. Fischer and Barbara E. Ehrlich
Description
Summary:Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a rare, progressive disorder characterized by childhood-onset diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, hearing loss, diabetes insipidus, and neurodegeneration. Currently, there is no effective treatment for WS, and patients typically die between 30 and 40 years of age. WS is primarily caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1) gene (OMIM 222300), which encodes for the protein wolframin (WFS1). This disorder is therefore a valuable monogenic model for prevalent diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration. Whereas reduced cell survival and secretion are known impairments causing WS, the underlying molecular pathways and the physiological function of WFS1 remain incompletely described. Here, we characterize WFS1 as a regulator of intracellular calcium homeostasis, review our current understanding of the disease mechanism of WS, and discuss candidate treatment approaches. These insights will facilitate the identification of new therapeutic strategies not only for WS but also for diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration.
Item Description:Gesehen am 26.05.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2468-8673
DOI:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.07.009