A neurotoxic phosphoform of Elk-1 associates with inclusions from multiple neurodegenerative diseases.

ABSTRACT: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a number of features including the formation of inclusions, early synaptic degeneration and the selective loss of neurons. Molecules serving as links between these shared features have yet to be identified. Identifying candidates within the diseased microenvironment will open up novel avenues for therapeutic intervention. The transcription factor Elk-1 resides within multiple brain areas both in nuclear and extranuclear neuronal compartments. Interestingly, its de novo expression within a single dendrite initiates neuronal death. Given this novel regionalized function, we assessed whether extranuclear Elk-1 and/or phospho-Elk-1 (pElk-1) protein might be associated with a spectrum of human neurodegenerative disease cases including Lewy body Di

SUBMITTER: Sharma A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2814869 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature