Abstract
Huntington disease stems from a mutation of the protein huntingtin and is characterized by selective loss of discrete neuronal populations in the brain. Despite a massive loss of neurons in the corpus striatum, NO- generating neurons are intact. We recently identified a brain-specific protein that associates with huntingtin and is designated huntingtin- associated protein (HAP1). We now describe selective neuronal localizations of HAP1. In situ hybridization studies reveal a resemblance of HAP1 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA localizations with dramatic enrichment of both in the pedunculopontine nuclei, the accessory olfactory bulb, and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Both nNOS and HAP1 are enriched in subcellular fractions containing synaptic vesicles. Immunocytochemical studies indicate colocalizations of HAP1 and nNOS in some neurons. The possible relationship of HAP1 and nNOS in the brain is reminiscent of the relationship of dystrophin and nNOS in skeletal muscle and suggests a role of NO in Huntington disease, analogous to its postulated role in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4839-4844 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 93 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 14 1996 |
Keywords
- Huntington disease
- dystrophin
- excitotoxicity
- glutamate
- muscular dystrophy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General