Objective
Neurodegenerative diseases share similar hallmarks such as protein aggregation, suggesting that impaired protein degradation may be a common denominator. The major cellular pathways mediating protein degradation are the Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy, both regulated by ubiquitin signaling. However, aside from specific mutations in familial neurodegeneration cases, an early cause for failing ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis remains unclear. This proposal will test our unconventional hypothesis that dysregulated ubiquitin signaling is an early event in mechanisms of neurodegeneration, linking together numerous disease hallmarks. Towards this goal, we present groundbreaking findings that a mutated UPS protein resulting from a non-heritable transcription frameshift and present in the brains of neurodegenerative patients, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), is sufficient to trigger disease hallmarks in 3-D human neuronal cultures. This unique set-up replicates the main pathological hallmarks of AD without relying on any of the known genetic causes or risk factors. Utilizing this novel model, we have identified a previously unknown enzyme active site in a key neuroprotective protein, which now allows us to study the role of ubiquitin signaling in disease pathology.
Specifically, this proposal seeks to understand both the source of disease-related ubiquitin signaling deterioration and its impact on neurons, by:
1) Studying the mechanisms that trigger disruption of ubiquitin signaling in neurons.
2) Understanding the consequences of altered ubiquitin signaling in human neuronal models of AD.
3) Searching for mechanisms of neuroprotection mediated by key enzymes of the UPS.
The outcome will develop new models of neurodegeneration, improve methods to study ubiquitin signaling in neurons, and yield a mechanistic understanding of UPS components in neuronal health and disease. Furthermore, the results will pave the way for developing new treatment approaches.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
32000 Haifa
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.