ULK1 as a novel therapeutic target in neurodegeneration.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Vahsen BF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8224110 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
ULK1 as a novel therapeutic target in neurodegeneration.
Vahsen Björn Friedhelm BF Lingor Paul P
Neural regeneration research 20210601 6
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Project description:Ageing is the main risk factor common to most primary neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, age-related brain alterations have been long considered to predispose to neurodegeneration. Although protein misfolding and the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates have been considered as causative events in neurodegeneration, several other biological pathways affected by brain ageing also contribute to pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the evidence showing the involvement of the mechanisms controlling neuronal structure, gene expression, autophagy, cell metabolism and neuroinflammation in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, we review the therapeutic strategies currently under development or as future approaches designed to normalize these pathways, which may then increase brain resilience to cope with toxic protein species. In addition to therapies targeting the insoluble protein aggregates specifically associated with each neurodegenerative disorder, these novel pharmacological approaches may be part of combined therapies designed to rescue brain function.
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Project description:We provide evidence that genetic or pharmacological targeting of ULK1 delays disease progression in Jak2V617F-mutant MPN in vivo models. Mechanistically, the ULK1 anti-neoplastic effects were found to be associated, at least in part, with the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in myeloid malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, leading to a reduced number of early-stage erythroid progenitors in both spleen and bone marrow, decreased levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cells and spleen size in MPN in vivo models. These findings reveal a novel pro-tumorigenic role for ULK1 downstream of the hyperactive JAK2 signaling characteristic of MPNs and highlight the potential of targeting this kinase as a new therapeutic strategy for MPN patients.
2025-07-15 | GSE288528 | GEO
Project description:We provide evidence that genetic or pharmacological targeting of ULK1 delays disease progression in Jak2V617F-mutant MPN in vivo models. Mechanistically, the ULK1 anti-neoplastic effects were found to be associated, at least in part, with the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in myeloid malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, leading to a reduced number of early-stage erythroid progenitors in both spleen and bone marrow, decreased levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cells and spleen size in MPN in vivo models. These findings reveal a novel pro-tumorigenic role for ULK1 downstream of the hyperactive JAK2 signaling characteristic of MPNs and highlight the potential of targeting this kinase as a new therapeutic strategy for MPN patients.
2025-07-15 | GSE288557 | GEO
Project description:ULK1 as a novel therapeutic target in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
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Project description:Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 4 is a transcriptional repressor that contains a glutamine-rich domain. We hypothesised that it may be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD), a protein-folding neurodegenerative disorder caused by an aggregation-prone polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. We found that HDAC4 associates with huntingtin in a polyglutamine-length-dependent manner and co-localises with cytoplasmic inclusions. We show that HDAC4 reduction delayed cytoplasmic aggregate formation, restored Bdnf transcript levels, and rescued neuronal and cortico-striatal synaptic function in HD mouse models. This was accompanied by an improvement in motor coordination, neurological phenotypes, and increased lifespan. Surprisingly, HDAC4 reduction had no effect on global transcriptional dysfunction and did not modulate nuclear huntingtin aggregation. Our results define a crucial role for the cytoplasmic aggregation process in the molecular pathology of HD. HDAC4 reduction presents a novel strategy for targeting huntingtin aggregation, which may be amenable to small-molecule therapeutics.
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Project description:Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease that is conventionally managed with treatments to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). Despite these efforts, many patients continue to lose their vision. The degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons in the optic tract that characterizes glaucoma is similar to neurodegeneration in other age-related disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Identifying the different molecular signaling pathways that contribute to early neuronal dysfunction can be utilized for neuroprotective strategies that prevent degeneration. The discovery of insulin and its receptor in the CNS and retina led to exploration of the role of insulin signaling in the CNS. Historically, insulin was considered a peripherally secreted hormone that regulated glucose homeostasis, with no obvious roles in the CNS. However, a growing number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of modulating insulin signaling in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This review will highlight the role that insulin signaling plays in RGC neurodegeneration. We will focus on how this pathway can be therapeutically targeted to promote RGC axon survival and preserve vision.
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