SOD1

Chr 21ADAR

superoxide dismutase 1

Also known as: ALS, ALS1, HEL-S-44, IPOA, SOD, STAHP, hSod1, homodimer

The protein encoded by this gene binds copper and zinc ions and is one of two isozymes responsible for destroying free superoxide radicals in the body. The encoded isozyme is a soluble cytoplasmic protein, acting as a homodimer to convert naturally-occuring but harmful superoxide radicals to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The other isozyme is a mitochondrial protein. In addition, this protein contains an antimicrobial peptide that displays antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-MRSA activity against E. coli, E. faecalis, S. aureus, S. aureus MRSA LPV+, S. agalactiae, and yeast C. krusei. Mutations in this gene have been implicated as causes of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rare transcript variants have been reported for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2020]

OMIMResearchGenerating clinical summary…
MultiplemechanismAD/ARLOEUF 0.982 OMIM phenotypes
Clinical SummarySOD1
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Gene-Disease Validity (ClinGen)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 1 · ADDefinitive

Definitive — sufficient evidence for diagnostic panels

Population Constraint (gnomAD)
Constrained for loss-of-function variants (OE-LoF 0.31) despite low pLI — interpret in context.
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Clinical Trials
12 active or recruiting trials — potential therapeutic options may be available

Population Genetics & Constraint

gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance

Tolerant — LoF & missense variants common in population
LoF Constraint?
0.98LOEUF
pLI 0.177
Z-score 1.62
OE 0.31 (0.130.98)
Tolerant

Typical tolerance to LoF variation

Missense Constraint?
0.84Z-score
OE missense 0.75 (0.610.92)
65 obs / 87.0 exp
Tolerant

Mild missense constraint

Observed / Expected Ratios?
LoF OE?0.31 (0.130.98)
00.351.4
Missense OE?0.75 (0.610.92)
00.61.4
Synonymous OE?1.28
01.21.6
LoF obs/exp: 2 / 6.4Missense obs/exp: 65 / 87.0Syn Z: -1.27

This gene — mechanism propensity

DN
0.73top 25%
GOF
0.4776th %ile
LOF
0.3941th %ile

This gene has evidence for multiple mechanisms of pathogenicity (dominant-negative and gain-of-function). Both the Badonyi & Marsh prediction and the broader genomic evidence point to dominant-negative as the predominant mechanism. Different variants in this gene may act through different mechanisms — interpret in context of the specific variant.

DNprediction above median · 1 literature citation
GOF1 literature citation

Note: In-silico variant effect predictors (SIFT, PolyPhen, REVEL, CADD) may underestimate pathogenicity of missense variants in genes with GOF or DN mechanisms. Consider functional evidence and clinical context.

Literature Evidence

DNHarraz et al. (2008) concluded that certain SOD1 mutations exert a dominant-negative effect by interfering with normal SOD1/RAC1 interactions.1
GOFThus, we have argued that motor neuron disease is caused by gain-of-function mutations in the human SOD1 gene.2

Predictions from Badonyi M, Marsh JA. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(8):e0307312.

ClinVar Variant Classifications

0 submitted variants in ClinVar

Protein Context — Lollipop Plot

SOD1 · protein map & ClinVar variants

Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.

Clinical Trials

Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov

COPD

Immuno-inflammatory Response of Erdosteine in COPD

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07329946Phase NAPierachille Santus, MD, PhDStarted 2026-09-01
ErdosteineStandard of Care (SOC)
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Markers of Oxidative Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Risk Factors and Implications for a Dietetic Approach

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT04513015Phase NAUniversità Politecnica delle MarcheStarted 2019-12-15
Antioxidant dietNormal dietetic scheme
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Mutation in the Superoxide Dismutase-1 (SOD1) Gene

First in Human (FIH) Study of ALN-SOD in Adult Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Associated With Mutation in the SOD1 Gene (SOD1-ALS)

RECRUITING
NCT06351592Phase PHASE1, PHASE2Regeneron PharmaceuticalsStarted 2024-08-28
ALN-SODDiluentPlacebo (PB)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A Study to Learn More About the Long-Term Safety of Tofersen (Qalsody) in Participants With Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD-1) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

RECRUITING
NCT07259980BiogenStarted 2026-01-02
Tofersen
Rheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritisSarcopenia

Effect of Exercise Type on Muscle Quality in Patients With OA, SARC and RA: an Explorative Study

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT06480643Phase NAAmsterdam UMC, location VUmcStarted 2024-12-01
High load exercise typeLow load exercise type
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Safety, Tolerability, and Exploratory Efficacy Study of Intrathecally Administered Gene Therapy AMT-162 in Adult Participants With SOD1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (SOD1-ALS)

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT06100276Phase PHASE1, PHASE2UniQure Biopharma B.V.Started 2024-08-01
AMT-162
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Extended Study of RAG-17 in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients With SOD1 Gene Mutation

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07077668Phase EARLY_PHASE1Beijing Tiantan HospitalStarted 2025-07
A sterile aqueous solution of RAG - 17 preparation (sodium salt)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A Study to Investigate the Safety and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Intrathecal Injection (IT) of INS1202 in Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

RECRUITING
NCT07290062Phase PHASE1Insmed Gene Therapy LLCStarted 2026-01-09
INS1202
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Associated With a SOD1 Gene Mutation

A Study of BIIB067 (Tofersen) Initiated in Clinically Presymptomatic Adults With a Confirmed Superoxide Dismutase 1 Mutation

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT04856982Phase PHASE3BiogenStarted 2021-05-17
TofersenPlacebo
ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Families Project

RECRUITING
NCT03865420Columbia UniversityStarted 2018-09-11
NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of SNP-610 for the Treatment of Patients With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT03468556Phase PHASE2Sinew Pharma Inc.Started 2026-04-01
SNP-610Placebo Oral Tablet
Healthy Adult Participants

Multilevel Exercise Response in Rowers

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07613619Poznan University of Physical EducationStarted 2026-05-17
2000-m rowing ergometer test6000-m rowing ergometer test