Obatoclax rescues FUS-ALS phenotypes in iPSC-derived neurons by inducing autophagy

Disruption of protein homeostasis plays an essential role in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). One strategy for restoring protein homeostasis and protecting neurons is to de-repress autophagy by disrupting the inhibitory BECN1/BCL2 complex, which has been shown to improve healthspan and lifespan in mice. We screened small molecule BH3 mimetics using an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based model of ALS with a FUS mutation and identified obatoclax rescued neurons at by reducing cytoplasmic FUS levels, restoring protein homeostasis, and reducing degeneration.