Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease that afflicts about 30000 people in the USA and has no effective treatment. HD is caused by a CAG expansion within the huntingtin gene. Pathological hallmarks of HD are neuronal accumulation of soluble and aggregated misfolded huntingtin protein and neuronal degeneration primarily involving striatum and neocortex. There is accumulating evidence that soluble oligomers of mutant huntingtin protein (mhtt) are important mediators of HD pathogenesis. Our long-term objective is to define the role of mhtt oligomers in HD and to determine if interventions that decrease oligomer levels are neuroprotective in HD mice and provide an effective target for treating human HD. We have preliminary data demonstrating that some oligomers of mutant huntingtin form via site-specific oxidation of cysteine residues. These findings have led us to hypothesize that oxidation-dependent mhtt oligomers are important mediators of HD. In this proposal we plan to address the role of these oligomeric species in the pathogenesis of HD.
In Aim 1 we will determine how HD progression is modified by blocking or accelerating mutant huntingtin dimerization in mouse striatum. Our hypothesis is that dimerization of mutant huntingtin promotes HD progression. We will use a lentiviral system to generate mice expressing forms of mutant N171-82Q huntingtin that dimerize or are dimerization resistant and evaluate behavioral, biochemical and anatomic disease outcomes.
In Aim 2 we will screen using a cell culture system for a thiol transferase enzyme(s) that promotes conversion of soluble oligomeric huntingtin to monomer. We hypothesize that a thiol transferase that promotes this conversion will also secondarily result in decreased mutant huntingtin levels. The proposed studies will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in HD and could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Because protein oligomers have been implicated in mechanisms underlying several neurodegenerative disorders, the proposed research could also shed light on these diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that afflicts about 30000 people in the USA, has no effective treatment and is caused by a glutamine expansion with huntingtin protein. There is growing evidence that soluble oligomers of mutant huntingtin are important in disease pathogenesis. The proposed research will lead to better understanding of the mechanisms involved in mutant huntingtin oligomerization and its role in HD progression;ultimately, this could lead to drug discovery efforts targeting mutant huntingtin oligomers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21NS072372-01
Application #
8023446
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Study Section (CMND)
Program Officer
Sutherland, Margaret L
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2012-07-31
Budget Start
2010-09-01
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$216,164
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wyoming
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
069690956
City
Laramie
State
WY
Country
United States
Zip Code
82071