BB PrincipInavlestigator/PDroirgerca(tLomar .ctirte,t, raiadle): Schwartz, LM. DESCRIPTION: State the application's broad, long-term objectives and specific aims, making reference to the health relatedness of the project. Describe concisely the research design and methods for achieving these goals. Avoid summaries of past accomplishments and the use of the first person. This description is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate descdpti0n of the proposed work when separated from the application. If the application is funded, this Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. Recently, several families with Autosomal Recessive Juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP) have been demonstrated to carry mutations in a gene termed Parkin, a ubiquitin E3 ligase. NINDS recently identified Parkin and related proteins as targets for intensive investigation (RFA NS- 01-005). In this proposal, we focus on Ariadne, the closest known structural homolog of Parkin. Ariadne is a poorly characterized protein with a similar overall structural organization to Parkin. Both Ariadne and Parkin bind to the same ubiquitin E2 enzymes and in Drosophila, loss of Ariadne results in reduced viability and resting tremors. In preliminary studies, we have demonstrated that Ariadne and Parkin share significant structural and ftmetional properties In this proposal, we will use biochemical, molecular, cellular and genetic methods to test the hypotheses that Ariadne and Parkin are: 1) structural and functional homologs; 2) participate in Lewy Body formation; and 3) protect cells both in vitro and in vivo from noxious stimuli. This work may allow us to: 1) explain why the phenotypic effects of global loss-of-function mutations in Parkin are largely restricted to dopaminergic neurons; 2) verify that Lewy Body-like cytoplasmic inclusions reflect an adaptive response by cells; and 3 provide insight into the functioning of this class of proteins which can enhance our understanding of Parkin function in cells. description, as is, will become public information. Therefore, do not include proprietary/confidential information. DO NOT EXCEED THE 8PACE PROVIDED. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================
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