Redox regulation of protein functions linked to neurodegeneration

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Project Summary/Abstract: The molecular and metabolic mechanisms that go awry during the course of neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. A conserved protein called ataxin-2 has been linked to neurodegeneration due to the occurrence of polyglutamine tract expansions that can influence the aggregation of itself and other proteins. However, the normal functions of this protein and the consequences of their alteration have not been clear. It was recently shown that the protein can function as a redox sensor to then regulate cellular metabolism and signaling in a manner that sustains mitochondrial health and cell survivability. This proposal will investigate aspects of the mechanism of redox sensing by ataxin-2 in both yeast and mammalian cells, the downstream outputs, as well as the consequences of mutations and variants on associated cellular functions.