Understanding how misshapen proteins accumulate and kill cells during Huntington's Disease
Grant number: 566640 | Funding period: 2009 - 2012
Completed
Abstract
Mutations in the huntingtin gene cause Huntington's disease by making the gene product aggregate together into non-normal and different sized polymers. However, it is not understood how this process causes cells to die, largely because we don't understand how the abnormal forms accumulate in cells over time. We will examine where in cells the abnormal shapes accumulate and how they cause toxicity. This research will identify critically-needed therapeutic targets against Huntington's disease.