Abstract

Synaptic loss is a major structural correlate of dementia, and reduced spine density is observed in the Parkinson?s disease (PD)-Lewy body dementia (LBD) disease spectrum. Autosomal recessive mutations in PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) cause early-onset PD and PD with dementia (PDD). Heterozygous carriers also exhibit cognitive-executive dysfunction and limbic- cortical degeneration. As PINK1 is neuroprotective in a wide range of genetic and toxin-based models of neurodegeneration, studying its function in neurons may offer insights into potential therapeutic strategies. Endogenous PINK1 exists in both mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments. Our prior studies show that these pools of PINK1 play divergent roles in regulating mitochondrial fission-fusion, mitophagy, calcium homeostasis and dendritic morphogenesis. Moreover, loss of PINK1 results in dendritic simplification in cortical and midbrain neurons. We hypothesize that PINK1 interacts with cytosolic targets to regulate neuron differentiation and synaptodendritic complexity. Using mass spectrometry, we identified novel PINK1- interacting proteins, which preliminary studies implicate in neurite extension or neuronal transport. We will study the role of these novel PINK1 interactions in regulating dendritogenesis and mitochondrial transport into dendrites using primary cortical and midbrain neurons, differentiated neuronal cell lines and PINK1 knockout and control mice. The potential role of phosphorylation and the impact of PD-linked mutations on these neuron-specialized functions of PINK1 will be analyzed. The neuroprotective potential of upregulating downstream pathway components will be tested in vitro and in Pink1-/- mice. A better understanding of novel PINK1-driven mechanisms that act to prevent dendritic simplification may yield valuable insights for neuroprotection in the PD-LBD disease spectrum. This supplement enhances the goals of the parent R01 to study mechanisms by which PINK1 regulates mitochondrial transport in neurons, while providing mentorship and rigorous training opportunities for a Latino graduate student aspiring to a future independent career studying neurological diseases.! ! !

Public Health Relevance

This supplement enhances the goals of the parent R01 to study how mutations linked to Parkinson?s disease affects the transport of mitochondria in brain cells, while providing support for a Latino graduate student to pursue activities related to submission of an individual diversity application as a first step towards a future independent career studying diseases of the nervous system.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01NS101628-02S1
Application #
9697987
Study Section
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section (NOMD)
Program Officer
Sieber, Beth-Anne
Project Start
2017-09-01
Project End
2022-05-31
Budget Start
2018-06-01
Budget End
2019-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213