What does the ALDP protein do?

What does the ALDP protein do?

Peroxisomes are small sacs within cells that process many types of molecules. ALDP brings a group of fats called very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) into peroxisomes, where they are broken down.

What does adrenoleukodystrophy do?

ALD prevents the body from breaking down very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), causing these fatty acid chains to build up in the brain, nervous system and adrenal gland. The accumulation is thought to cause inflammation in the body, damaging the myelin sheath.

What is ALD stand for?

What is adrenoleukodystrophy? Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare genetic condition that causes the buildup of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the brain. When VLCFAs accumulate, they destroy the protective myelin sheath around nerve cells, responsible for brain function.

What protein is affected in ALD?

The responsible ALD gene encodes the adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP), a peroxisomal integral membrane protein that is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter protein family. The patient gene mutations are heterogeneously distributed over the functional domains of ALDP.

Why does ALD occur?

How Do You Get ALD? A mutated gene on the X chromosome (the strand of DNA that decides if you’re born male or female) is the cause of ALD. Males have one X chromosome, so only need to inherit one damaged gene from a parent to be affected. Females have two X chromosomes so are less likely to have ALD.

Can you survive ALD?

Without treatment, individuals with the cerebral form of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy usually survive only a few years after symptoms begin. Signs and symptoms of the adrenomyeloneuropathy type appear between early adulthood and middle age.

Is there a cure for ALD disease?

Adrenoleukodystrophy has no cure. However, stem cell transplantation may stop the progression of ALD if done when neurological symptoms first appear. Doctors will focus on relieving your symptoms and slowing disease progression.

Does a bone marrow transplant cure ALD?

How does blood or marrow transplant (BMT) work for ALD? BMT, also known as a bone marrow transplant or blood stem cell transplant, can stop the ALD from causing more damage. It replaces the blood-forming cells (stem cells) that are missing the important protein with healthy ones.

How long can you live with ALD?

Outlook (Prognosis) The childhood form of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a progressive disease. It leads to a long-term coma (vegetative state) about 2 years after nervous system symptoms develop. The child can live in this condition for as long as 10 years until death occurs.

Is ABCA1 an enzyme?

ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1 (member 1 of human transporter sub-family ABCA), also known as the cholesterol efflux regulatory protein (CERP) is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ABCA1 gene….ABCA1.