Expression of expanded polyglutamine targets profilin for degradation and alters actin dynamics

Neurobiol Dis. 2008 Jun;30(3):365-374. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.02.007. Epub 2008 Mar 6.

Abstract

Huntington's disease is caused by polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. Huntingtin directly interacts with profilin, a major actin monomer sequestering protein and a key integrator of signals leading to actin polymerization. We observed a progressive loss of profilin in the cerebral cortex of Huntington's disease patients, and in cell culture and Drosophila models of polyglutamine disease. This loss of profilin is likely due to increased degradation through the ubiquitin proteasome system. Profilin loss reduces the F/G actin ratio, indicating a shift in actin polymerization. Overexpression of profilin abolishes mutant huntingtin toxicity in cells and partially ameliorates the morphological and functional eye phenotype and extends lifespan in a transgenic polyglutamine Drosophila model. These results indicate a link between huntingtin and profilin and implicate profilin in Huntington's disease pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Gene Targeting / methods*
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Huntington Disease / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • PC12 Cells
  • Peptides / genetics*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Profilins / metabolism*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Actins
  • Peptides
  • Profilins
  • polyglutamine