Inhibition of Polyglutamine Aggregation in R6/2 HD Brain Slices—Complex Dose–Response Profiles

Authors: Smith D.L.¹; Portier R.²; Woodman B.¹; Hockly E.¹; Mahal A.¹; Klunk W.E.³; Li X-J.⁴; Wanker E.⁵; Murray K.D.⁶; Bates G.P.¹

Source: Neurobiology of Disease, Volume 8, Number 6, December 2001 , pp. 1017-1026(10)

Publisher: Academic Press

Abstract:

Huntington's disease (HD) is a late onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG/polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion. PolyQ aggregates can be detected in the nuclei and processes of neurons in HD patients and mouse models prior to the onset of symptoms. The misfolding and aggregation pathway is an important therapeutic target. To better test the efficacy of aggregation inhibitors, we have developed an organotypic slice culture system. We show here that the formation of polyQ aggregates in hippocampal slices established from the R6/2 mouse follows the same prescribed sequence as occurs in vivo. Using this assay, we show that Congo red and chrysamine G can modulate aggregate formation, but show complex dose–response curves. Oral administration of creatine has been shown to delay the onset of all aspects of the phenotype and neuropathology in R6/2 mice. We show here that creatine can similarly inhibit aggregate formation in the slice culture assay. ©2001 Elsevier Science.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College, London, United Kingdom 2: Faculty of Medicine, Academic Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands 3: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261 4: Department of Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322 5: Max-Planck Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73, Berlin, D-14195, Germany 6: University of California,-Davis, Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, California, 95616

Publication date: 2001-12-01

• In this: publication
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• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry
• By this author: Smith D.L. ;  Portier R. ;  Woodman B. ;  Hockly E. ;  Mahal A. ;  Klunk W.E. ;  Li X-J. ;  Wanker E. ;  Murray K.D. ;  Bates G.P.

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