Obiettivo
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of age-related dementia. This neurodegenerative disorder is characterized by massive neuronal death and deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), which is formed by processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). The mechanism of neuronal degeneration in AD are not well understood, but growing evidence shown that neuronal death is at least in part due to dysregulated Ca2+ signalling.
Calsenilin/DREAM was identified as a Ca2+-binding protein that interacts with presenilins, serves as a transcription repressor, and binds to the A-type potassium channel. Ca2+-insensitive DREAM mutants or DREAM mutants with an altered capability to regulate transcription will modify Ca2+ homeostasis and synaptic plasticity. Previous findings suggest that DREAM/calsenilin is involved in apoptosis and Aβ production. However, high levels of DREAM/calsenilin were found in the cortex of AD brains and in the neocortex and the hippocampus of Swedish mutant APP (APPswe) transgenic mice brains.
The general objective of the project is to elucidate the role of DREAM/calsenilin on the progression of synaptic dysfunction. The specific objectives for the project are:
-To study of DREAM and DREAM mutants in regards to AD-related markers of AD.
-Analysis of DREAM expression in brains from different transgenic models of AD.
-To assess the functional consequences of mutant DREAM overexpression in the development of AD in animal models overexpressing mutant human APP
-Effect of DREAM deletion in the development of AD.
-Integration of the information obtained in post-mortem material from AD patients.
-To screen molecules able of interacting with DREAM for their potential therapeutic effect.
As a result of this study, the synaptic dysfunction associated to neurodegenerative processes may be modified, suggesting potential new targets for human drug development based on DREAM function.
Campo scientifico
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimer
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metals
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis
Invito a presentare proposte
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)Coordinatore
28006 Madrid
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