Huntington disease and eight other central nervous system diseases are each caused by a protein containing an expanded sequence of polyglutamine. Each protein normally contains a polyglutamine sequence of not exceeding 40 residues but mutational expansion of this sequence in any of the proteins produces neuronal damage and a corresponding disease. If the cause can be precisely stated, the pathogenesis cannot. It must be explained why all the diseases are virtually confined to the nervous system and why aggregates or inclusions form in neurons of the affected parts of the brain. While different explanations have been proposed, our previous work supports the following explanation: 1) any protein bearing an expanded sequence of polyglutamine is an exceptionally active substrate of transglutaminase. 2) neurons undergo transient elevation in Ca++ concentration as part of impulse conduction; such a rise would activate the neuronal transglutaminase. 3) the action of transglutaminase couples huntingtin containing expanded polyglutamine to other proteins and produces insoluble aggregates. The constant formation of covalently cross-linked aggregates is lethal to neurons. Further evidence will be sought to support all of these points by studies of 1 ) the purification of inclusion bodies containing expanded polyglutamine from other cellular components and their analysis for the presence of ( abouty-glutamyl) lysine cross-links, 2) the proteins cross-linked in affected brain. especially tubulin, 3) the presence of ( about-glutamyl) lysine in affected parts of the brain and spinal fluid of patients with Huntington Disease. If the role of transglutaminase can be proven conclusively, a prophylaxis and a therapy can be envisioned in the form of transglutaminase inhibitors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS038566-02
Application #
6394110
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-3 (01))
Program Officer
Oliver, Eugene J
Project Start
2000-09-25
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$403,920
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Iuchi, S; Hoffner, G; Verbeke, P et al. (2003) Oligomeric and polymeric aggregates formed by proteins containing expanded polyglutamine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:2409-14