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Impaired mTORC1-Dependent Expression of Homer-3 Influences SCA1 Pathophysiology.

Author
Abstract
:

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), due to the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat within the ubiquitously expressed Ataxin-1 protein, leads to the premature degeneration of Purkinje cells (PCs), the cause of which is poorly understood. Here, we identified the unique proteomic signature of Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs at an early stage of disease, highlighting extensive alterations in proteins associated with synaptic functioning, maintenance, and transmission. Focusing on Homer-3, a PC-enriched scaffold protein regulating neuronal activity, revealed an early decline in its expression. Impaired climbing fiber-mediated synaptic transmission diminished mTORC1 signaling, paralleling Homer-3 reduction in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs. Ablating mTORC1 within PCs or pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 identified Homer-3 as its downstream target. mTORC1 knockout in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs exacerbated and accelerated pathology. Reinstating Homer-3 expression in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs attenuated cellular dysfunctions and improved motor deficits. Our work reveals that impaired mTORC1-Homer-3 activity underlies PC susceptibility in SCA1 and presents a promising therapeutic target.

Year of Publication
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2016
Journal
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Neuron
Volume
:
89
Issue
:
1
Number of Pages
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129-46
Date Published
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2016
ISSN Number
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0896-6273
URL
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https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0896-6273(15)01039-9
DOI
:
10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.033
Short Title
:
Neuron
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