Nuclear signs of pre-neurodegeneration

Abstract

Nuclear architecture is highly concerted including the organization of chromosome territories and distinct nuclear bodies, such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, nuclear speckles of splicing factors, and promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, among others. The organization of such nuclear compartments is very dynamic and may represent a sensitive indicator of the functional status of the cell. Here, we describe methodologies that allow isolating discrete cell populations from the brain and the fine observation of nuclear signs that could be insightful predictors of an early neuronal injury in a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders. The tools here described may be of use for the early detection of pre-degenerative processes in neurodegenerative diseases and for validating novel rescue strategies.