The invention provides that the expression and/or activity of metal ion transporter, such as a Ca2+/Mn2+ transporter and secretory pathway calcium ATPase 1 (SPCA1) or SPCA2 is associated with the restoration and conservation of Golgi integrity in cells, as well as with the restoration of Golgi ion concentrations. Provided herein are methods of restoring or maintaining Golgi integrity in a cell and methods of modulating Golgi ion concentration is a cell including increasing the expression and/or activity of a metal ion transporter such as SPCA1 or SPCA2 protein in the cell. The invention further provides methods of treating neurodegenerative disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The methods of treatment include increasing the expression and/or activity of a metal ion transporter such as SPCA1 or SPCA2 protein in cells to restore or maintain Golgi integrity and Golgi ion concentration in the cell.