Epigenetic regulation of Alzheimer's disease related genes

Project Information

EpiRegAD

Grant agreement ID: 275808

Project closed

Start date 1 October 2011

End date 30 September 2012

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 101 274,80

EU contribution € 101 274,80

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
United Kingdom

Objective

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias affect over 7 million individuals in Europe. There is, as yet, no treatment to halt or reverse disease progression despite huge investments into research. The accumulation of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain, is a key factor in the development of AD but the roles of other APP metabolites are poorly understood. This project will focus on one of these metabolites, its intracellular domain, AICD, and the mechanism for its nuclear trafficking and gene transcriptional regulation, especially of the Abeta-degrading enzyme, neprilysin (NEP), which maintains Abeta homeostasis. These studies will focus on the differential contributions of the three APP isoforms to AICD production, nuclear trafficking and gene regulation, and will use a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal models to analyse epigenetic changes mediating NEP expression including chromatin composition of the NEP gene in active and downregulated states and whether APP isoform effects are direct or indirect. In parallel, other putative AICD-responsive genes will be compared (aquaporin, GSK-3beta). This will allow us to formulate strategies for up-regulation of key neuroprotective genes in disease leading to potential new therapeutic approaches. The project will provide the Research Fellow with broad experience in molecular neuroscience (from bioimaging and protein trafficking to chromatin analysis and gene regulation) in a well-founded, integrated and multi-disciplinary environment for AD research.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › neurology › dementia › alzheimer
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › physiology › homeostasis
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes
• natural sciences › biological sciences › molecular biology › molecular neuroscience
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › epigenetics

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

Administrative Contact

Martin Hamilton (Mr.)

• EU contribution: € 101 274,80
• Address: WOODHOUSE LANE ; LS2 9JT Leeds ; United Kingdom
• Region: Yorkshire and the Humber › West Yorkshire › Leeds
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Total cost: No data