Impaired mTORC1-Dependent Expression of Homer-3 Influences SCA1 Pathophysiology.
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| Abstract | :  Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), due to the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat within the ubiquitously expressed Ataxin-1 protein, leads to the premature degeneration of Purkinje cells (PCs), the cause of which is poorly understood. Here, we identified the unique proteomic signature of Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs at an early stage of disease, highlighting extensive alterations in proteins associated with synaptic functioning, maintenance, and transmission. Focusing on Homer-3, a PC-enriched scaffold protein regulating neuronal activity, revealed an early decline in its expression. Impaired climbing fiber-mediated synaptic transmission diminished mTORC1 signaling, paralleling Homer-3 reduction in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs. Ablating mTORC1 within PCs or pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 identified Homer-3 as its downstream target. mTORC1 knockout in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs exacerbated and accelerated pathology. Reinstating Homer-3 expression in Sca1(154Q/2Q) PCs attenuated cellular dysfunctions and improved motor deficits. Our work reveals that impaired mTORC1-Homer-3 activity underlies PC susceptibility in SCA1 and presents a promising therapeutic target. | 
| Year of Publication | :  2016 | 
| Journal | :  Neuron | 
| Volume | :  89 | 
| Issue | :  1 | 
| Number of Pages | :  129-46 | 
| Date Published | :  2016 | 
| ISSN Number | :  0896-6273 | 
| URL | :  https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0896-6273(15)01039-9 | 
| DOI | :  10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.033 | 
| Short Title | :  Neuron | 
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