National Institute on Aging 5R01AG050658-08

Pathogenic Roles for Microtubule Stabilization Pathways in Alzheimer's disease

This award funds research investigating the role of microtubule stabilization pathways, specifically tubulin re-tyrosination, in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration and tau hyperphosphorylation to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Description

Identifying missing elements in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is necessary to develop effective treatments. Our proposal relies on a multidisciplinary effort to investigate the pathogenic potential for loss of tubulin re-tyrosination in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and the mechanisms underlying loss of tubulin re-tyrosination-dependent induction of neurodegeneration and tau hyperphosphorylation. Our in vitro and in vivo studies will provide support for a novel theory of pathogenesis based on premature tubulin longevity in the onset of neuronal damage and have the potential to identify novel targets that may be modulated in drug therapies aimed at rescuing both sporadic and familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease.

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