The PI is continuing studies on the regulation and function of aB- crystallin, a major component of the vertebrate lens and a member of the small """"""""heat shock"""""""" protein family. AB-crystallin accumulates in CNS glia and neurons in a variety of neurological disorders, in some cases actually forming inclusions in glial cells, such as the Rosenthal fibers of Alexander disease. The gene is upregulated in response to physiological stresse and the protein serves to protect cells from the adverse consequences of those stresses, but the modes of regulation and the mechanisms of protection are not fully understood. Over the previous grant period, the laboratory has begun to characterize two different transcription controlpathways through which aB-crystallin expression is regulated in astrocytes subjected to physiological stresses, one through a heat shock factor pathway and one through a heat shock-independent pathway. The PI has also begun to explore how this protein confers protection upon cells. He proposes a set of interrelated specific aims for the next grant period to examine further the transcriptional regulation of the aB-crystalling gene and the function of the protein in protecting CNS cells from physiological stress. Specifically, he plans to: 1. continue our studies todefine the transcriptional regulation of the aB-crystallin gene during phsiological stress. 2. further define how aB-crystallinprotects cells from hypertonic and other stresses, 3. explore mechanisms of Rosenthal Fiber production.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY009331-08
Application #
2701388
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1991-05-01
Project End
2000-04-30
Budget Start
1998-05-01
Budget End
1999-04-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
167204994
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Hsiao, Victoria C; Tian, Rujin; Long, Heather et al. (2005) Alexander-disease mutation of GFAP causes filament disorganization and decreased solubility of GFAP. J Cell Sci 118:2057-65
Li, Rong; Messing, Albee; Goldman, James E et al. (2002) GFAP mutations in Alexander disease. Int J Dev Neurosci 20:259-68
Brenner, M; Johnson, A B; Boespflug-Tanguy, O et al. (2001) Mutations in GFAP, encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein, are associated with Alexander disease. Nat Genet 27:117-20
Head, M W; Hurwitz, L; Kegel, K et al. (2000) AlphaB-crystallin regulates intermediate filament organization in situ. Neuroreport 11:361-5
Head, M W; Goldman, J E (2000) Small heat shock proteins, the cytoskeleton, and inclusion body formation. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 26:304-12
Koyama, Y; Goldman, J E (1999) Formation of GFAP cytoplasmic inclusions in astrocytes and their disaggregation by alphaB-crystallin. Am J Pathol 154:1563-72
Wisniewski, T; Goldman, J E (1998) Alpha B-crystallin is associated with intermediate filaments in astrocytoma cells. Neurochem Res 23:385-92
Messing, A; Head, M W; Galles, K et al. (1998) Fatal encephalopathy with astrocyte inclusions in GFAP transgenic mice. Am J Pathol 152:391-8
Chin, S S; Goldman, J E (1996) Glial inclusions in CNS degenerative diseases. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 55:499-508
Kegel, K B; Iwaki, A; Iwaki, T et al. (1996) AlphaB-crystallin protects glial cells from hypertonic stress. Am J Physiol 270:C903-9

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