Proper brain function requires an active maintenance program to sustain neuronal health. In essence, neurons and glia have to repair the damage that is induced by neuronal activity, injury, toxins, and aging. Environmental stressors impact the nervous system and lead to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration if the protective mechanisms are weakened. Recent studies revealed that NMNATs (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase) maintain neuronal integrity and facilitate proper neural function throughout life. NMNAT2 is the major NMNAT isoform expressed in the mammalian brain and is extremely labile with a short half-life in neurons. We and others have found that NMNAT2 levels are significantly reduced in CNS tissues from patients with Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies, or Parkinson's disease. Reducing NMNAT2 function in mice leads to axonal deterioration, while NMNAT2 overexpression offers neuroprotection. In the proposed work we will address three specific aims: How does NMNAT2 reduce toxic tau species and protect neurons against tauopathy? Is NMNAT2 required to maintain neuronal health in adult brains? Is small molecule up-regulation of NMNAT2 levels neuroprotective? A combination of molecular/biochemical, genetic, anatomical, electrophysiological, imaging, viral vector and high-throughput screening approaches will be employed to accomplish these aims. This study will provide insight into how NMNAT2 maintains neuronal health in mature brains. NMNATs are potential drug targets for therapeutic interventions in neurodegeneration. A detailed knowledge on how NMNAT2 maintain neuronal integrity and its role in neuroprotection is critical not only for understanding normal brain function, but will also provide necessary insights to assist in drug discovery.

Public Health Relevance

More than six million Americans suffer from neurodegenerative diseases. We are studying how a protein called NMNAT2 provides neuroprotection in the mammalian central nervous system with a long-term goal of developing therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS086794-01A1
Application #
8813962
Study Section
Cell Death and Injury in Neurodegeneration Study Section (CDIN)
Program Officer
Corriveau, Roderick A
Project Start
2014-09-15
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2014-09-15
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Sharma, Salil; Khadimallah, Ines; Corya, Adam Williamson et al. (2018) Presymptomatic change in microRNAs modulates Tau pathology. Sci Rep 8:9251
Sharma, Salil; Lu, Hui-Chen (2018) microRNAs in Neurodegeneration: Current Findings and Potential Impacts. J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 8:
Huang, Jui-Yen; Lu, Hui-Chen (2018) mGluR5 Tunes NGF/TrkA Signaling to Orient Spiny Stellate Neuron Dendrites Toward Thalamocortical Axons During Whisker-Barrel Map Formation. Cereb Cortex 28:1991-2006
Huang, Jui-Yen; Lynn Miskus, Marisha; Lu, Hui-Chen (2017) FGF-FGFR Mediates the Activity-Dependent Dendritogenesis of Layer IV Neurons during Barrel Formation. J Neurosci 37:12094-12105
Ali, Yousuf O; Bradley, Gillian; Lu, Hui-Chen (2017) Screening with an NMNAT2-MSD platform identifies small molecules that modulate NMNAT2 levels in cortical neurons. Sci Rep 7:43846
Ali, Yousuf O; Allen, Hunter M; Yu, Lei et al. (2016) NMNAT2:HSP90 Complex Mediates Proteostasis in Proteinopathies. PLoS Biol 14:e1002472
Slivicki, Richard A; Ali, Yousuf O; Lu, Hui-Chen et al. (2016) Impact of Genetic Reduction of NMNAT2 on Chemotherapy-Induced Losses in Cell Viability In Vitro and Peripheral Neuropathy In Vivo. PLoS One 11:e0147620
Itami, Chiaki; Huang, Jui-Yen; Yamasaki, Miwako et al. (2016) Developmental Switch in Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity and Cannabinoid-Dependent Reorganization of the Thalamocortical Projection in the Barrel Cortex. J Neurosci 36:7039-54
Ballester-Rosado, Carlos J; Sun, Hao; Huang, Jui-Yen et al. (2016) mGluR5 Exerts Cell-Autonomous Influences on the Functional and Anatomical Development of Layer IV Cortical Neurons in the Mouse Primary Somatosensory Cortex. J Neurosci 36:8802-14
Lu, Hui-Chen; Mackie, Ken (2016) An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biol Psychiatry 79:516-25

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