Objective
Familial forms of neurodegenerative diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene. It is unknown whether distinct mutations in the same gene or in functionally related genes cause disease through similar or disparate mechanisms. Furthermore, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying virtually all neurodegenerative disorders are poorly understood, and effective treatments are typically lacking.
This is also the case for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in five distinct tRNA synthetase (aaRS) genes. We previously generated Drosophila CMT-aaRS models and used a novel method for cell-type-specific labeling of newly synthesized proteins in vivo to show that impaired protein translation may represent a common pathogenic mechanism.
In this proposal, I aim to determine whether translation is also inhibited in CMT-aaRS mouse models, and whether all mutations cause disease through gain-of-toxic-function, or alternatively, whether some mutations act through a dominant-negative mechanism. In addition, I will evaluate whether all CMT-aaRS mutant proteins inhibit translation, and I will test the hypothesis, raised by our unpublished preliminary data shown here, that a defect in the transfer of the (aminoacylated) tRNA from the mutant synthetase to elongation factor eEF1A is the molecular mechanism underlying CMT-aaRS. Finally, I will validate the identified molecular mechanism in CMT-aaRS mouse models, as the most disease-relevant mammalian model.
I expect to elucidate whether all CMT-aaRS mutations cause disease through a common molecular mechanism that involves inhibition of translation. This is of key importance from a therapeutic perspective, as a common pathogenic mechanism allows for a unified therapeutic approach. Furthermore, this proposal has the potential to unravel the detailed molecular mechanism underlying CMT-aaRS, what would constitute a breakthrough and a requirement for rational drug design for this incurable disease.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine medicinal chemistry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2017-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands
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.