There has been remarkable progress in identifying the genetic basis for many types of inherited neurodegenerative disease. Despite this progress, genetic factors that contribute to the cause and progression of sporadic neurodegenerative disease remain generally unknown. Furthermore, in most instances, the genetic factors that influence the age of onset and rate of progression for many forms of inherited neurodegenerative disease remain to be identified. A better understanding of the genetic factors that are involved in neurodegenerative disease may not only help elucidate disease cause and progression, but could greatly expand the repertoire of molecular targets that are available for generating therapeutic interventions. One approach toward this goal has been to use forward genetic screens in model organisms to identify new genes that, when mutated or knocked down, either cause neurodegeneration or modify the progression of neurodegeneration. Using a forward genetic approach in Drosophila, we have recently demonstrated that the mutations in the presynaptic Dynein/Dynactin protein complex cause NMJ degeneration, as do mutations in the Spectrin/Ankyrin skeleton. Importantly, mutations in both the Dynein/Dynactin complex and Spectrin are associated with neuromuscular degenerative disease in human, establishing the relevance of our model system. In this grant proposal we report the identification of two new genes that, when mutated, cause neuromuscular degeneration in Drosophila. First we have identified mutations in the Drosophila homologue of adducin, an actin capping protein that binds to the Spectrin/Ankyrin skeleton. The identification of Adducin is particularly exciting because Adducin may represent a regulated link between the dynamic Actin cytoskeleton and the stabilizing function of the Spectrin/Ankyrin network. The second mutation that we recently identified disrupts a previously uncharacterized zinc finger containing protein that we call zf520. We then provide in vivo genetic evidence that zf520 participates in a well-established lipid-kinase signaling cascade previously liked to neurodegeneration. Thus, zf520 may represent a novel genetic link between a potent intracellular signaling system and the mechanisms of neuromuscular degeneration. In this grant we proposed to characterize the function of adducin and zf520 in the mechanisms of neuromuscular degeneration. Finally, we propose to continue our productive forward genetic screen to identify additional mutations that cause NMJ degeneration in Drosophila.

Public Health Relevance

A better understanding of the genetic factors that are involved in neurodegenerative disease may not only help elucidate disease cause and progression, but could greatly expand the repertoire of molecular targets that are available for generating therapeutic interventions. In a large-scale forward genetic screen we have identified mutations in two new genes that cause neuromuscular degeneration. We propose to define the function of these genes at the neuromuscular junction, thereby significantly advancing our understanding of the genetic factors that may contribute to neuromuscular degenerative disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS047342-06
Application #
7563310
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-L (02))
Program Officer
Talley, Edmund M
Project Start
2003-12-01
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$333,285
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Johnson, Alyssa E; Shu, Huidy; Hauswirth, Anna G et al. (2015) VCP-dependent muscle degeneration is linked to defects in a dynamic tubular lysosomal network in vivo. Elife 4:
Cheng, Ling; Locke, Cody; Davis, Graeme W (2011) S6 kinase localizes to the presynaptic active zone and functions with PDK1 to control synapse development. J Cell Biol 194:921-35
Graf, Ethan R; Heerssen, Heather M; Wright, Christina M et al. (2011) Stathmin is required for stability of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. J Neurosci 31:15026-34
Arber, Silvia; Davis, Graeme (2011) Developmental neuroscience. Curr Opin Neurobiol 21:1-4
Keller, Lani C; Cheng, Ling; Locke, Cody J et al. (2011) Glial-derived prodegenerative signaling in the Drosophila neuromuscular system. Neuron 72:760-75
Pielage, Jan; Bulat, Victoria; Zuchero, J Bradley et al. (2011) Hts/Adducin controls synaptic elaboration and elimination. Neuron 69:1114-31
Massaro, Catherine M; Pielage, Jan; Davis, Graeme W (2009) Molecular mechanisms that enhance synapse stability despite persistent disruption of the spectrin/ankyrin/microtubule cytoskeleton. J Cell Biol 187:101-17
Johnson 3rd, Ervin L; Fetter, Richard D; Davis, Graeme W (2009) Negative regulation of active zone assembly by a newly identified SR protein kinase. PLoS Biol 7:e1000193
Pielage, Jan; Cheng, Ling; Fetter, Richard D et al. (2008) A presynaptic giant ankyrin stabilizes the NMJ through regulation of presynaptic microtubules and transsynaptic cell adhesion. Neuron 58:195-209
Pawson, Catherine; Eaton, Benjamin A; Davis, Graeme W (2008) Formin-dependent synaptic growth: evidence that Dlar signals via Diaphanous to modulate synaptic actin and dynamic pioneer microtubules. J Neurosci 28:11111-23

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