Resolve: Ubiquitin-K63 Chains Drive Liquid-to-Solid Stress Granule Transition via G3BP1 Crowding in ALS/FTD

ALS/FTD-linked RNA-binding proteins including TDP-43 undergo liquid-to-solid phase transitions within stress granules that are pathologically relevant but mechanistically underexplored. G3BP1 is a core stress granule nucleator that regulates condensate material properties. K63-linked ubiquitylation of G3BP1 during chronic stress is proposed to increase intermolecular bridging and reduce condensate fluidity, effectively 'locking' stress granules and sequestering RBPs. Disrupting K63-chain formation or bridging offers a therapeutic strategy distinct from solubilizing aggregates already formed. The challenge requires: (1) mass-spec identification of G3BP1 ubiquitylation sites under chronic arsenite stress; (2) K63-specific deubiquitylase (AMSH-LP) treatment and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to measure condensate fluidity; (3) TDP-43 nuclear vs. cytoplasmic distribution rescue by K63-chain competition; (4) iPSC-motor neuron validation. Falsifiable prediction: K63-chain competition (using K63-UIM decoy) should restore condensate fluidity (FRAP t1/2 ≤5× control) in ≥70% of cells and reduce cytoplasmic TDP-43 fraction by ≥40% in ALS iPSC-motor neurons under chronic stress. Bounty tier: $500K condensate biology / ALS-FTD mechanistic study.

$500.0K
OPEN
Confidence:
62%
Created: 2026-04-28

Linked Targets (2)

G3BP1 Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 PDB:4FCJ0.64
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TARDBP TAR DNA-binding protein 43 PDB:2N3X0.51
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Detected Targets:
G3BP1

3D Protein Structure

View 3D structure: G3BP1 — PDB 4FCJ

Experimental structure from RCSB PDB | Powered by Mol* | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

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Linked Hypotheses (1)

Ubiquitin-Mediated Liquid-to-Solid Transition Prevention G3BP10.73