Ataxin-3 suppresses polyglutamine neurodegeneration in Drosophila by a ubiquitin-associated mechanism.
Two central issues in polyglutamine-induced neurodegeneration are the influence of the normal function of the disease protein and modulation by protein quality control pathways. By using Drosophila, we now directly link host protein function and disease pathogenesis to ubiquitin pathways in the polyglutamine disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Normal human ataxin-3--a polyubiquitin binding protein with ubiquitin protease activity--is a striking suppressor of polyglutamine neurodegeneration in vivo. This suppressor activity requires ubiquitin-associated activities of the protein and is dependent upon proteasome function. Our results highlight the critical importance of host protein function in SCA3 disease and a potential therapeutic role of ataxin-3 activity for polyglutamine disorders.
Warrick
John M
JM
Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 415 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Morabito
Lance M
LM
Bilen
Julide
J
Gordesky-Gold
Beth
B
Faust
Lynn Z
LZ
Paulson
Henry L
HL
Bonini
Nancy M
NM
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000067699:Ataxin-3; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017827:Machado-Joseph Disease / Q000235:genetics; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010455:Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin; C097188:polyglutamine; C092341:ATXN3 protein, human; D000067699:Ataxin-3