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What's wrong with epigenetics in Huntington's disease?
Luis M Valor1, Deisy Guiretti1
1Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante (Universidad Miguel Hernández, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
Neuropharmacology
|November 5, 2013
Summary
Huntington's disease (HD) involves epigenetic dysregulation, with altered epigenetic marks observed in models and patients. Pharmacological treatments targeting these epigenetic changes show promise for HD, but mechanisms require further study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- Epigenetic dysregulation is implicated in HD pathogenesis.
- Epigenetic mechanisms offer potential therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence of epigenetic alterations in Huntington's disease.
- To assess the efficacy of epigenetic-modifying treatments for HD.
- To highlight the need for refined understanding of HD epigenetics.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of evidence from multiple HD models.
- Analysis of postmortem patient samples.
- Review of pharmacological interventions targeting epigenetic marks.
Main Results:
- Multiple epigenetic marks (histone acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation, phosphorylation, DNA modifications) are altered in HD.
- Pharmacological treatments reversing these alterations demonstrate beneficial effects on HD traits.
- Current hypotheses on epigenetic significance and treatment mechanisms need further refinement.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic dysregulation is a key feature of Huntington's disease.
- Targeting epigenetic modifications represents a promising therapeutic strategy for HD.
- Further research is crucial to elucidate HD epigenetics and inform treatments for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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