Aggregate formation and synaptic abnormality induced by DSCR1

J Neurochem. 2004 Mar;88(6):1485-96. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02294.x.

Abstract

Aggregation of conformation-abnormal peptides probably plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. DSCR1 Down syndrome (DS) critical region 1, was identified from a chromosomal region (21q22.1-q22.2) for the clinical manifestations of DS when an extra-copy is present. We report that expression of DSCR1 in several cell types, including primary neurons, causes microtubule-dependent aggresome-like inclusion body formation. Disease-associated huntingtin (Q148) and ataxin-3 (Q84) co-localize with DSCR1 aggregates. Neurons bearing DSCR1 aggregates show reduced synaptophysin staining in processes. DSCR1 residues 31-90 constitute an aggregation-prone domain that is predicted to form a hydrophobic patch on the protein surface when residues 1-30 are removed. This study identifies a novel function of DSCR1 that may underlie DS neuropathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Animals
  • Ataxin-3
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Down Syndrome / genetics*
  • Down Syndrome / pathology
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism*
  • Inclusion Bodies / pathology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Molecular
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics*
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Rats
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Synapses / pathology*
  • Synaptophysin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HTT protein, human
  • Htt protein, rat
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RCAN1 protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Synaptophysin
  • Ubiquitin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • ATXN3 protein, human
  • Ataxin-3
  • Atxn3 protein, rat