研究実績の概要 |
Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is a neural huntingtin interactor and being considered as a protective factor against neurodegenerative apoptosis in vitro. Here, we examined the spatio-temporal expression of HAP1 in spinal cord, brain stem and their associated muscles, using wild-type mice and motor-neuron-specific HAP1-TG mice that we genetically engineered using Cre-LoxP technology in our laboratory. HAP1 is abundantly expressed in the spinal sensory and autonomic neurons but completely lacking in motor neurons and their associated muscles, suggesting that the motor neurons due to lack of HAP1-protectivity, are more vulnerable to neurodegeneration. The outcome of our study may shed light on yet-to-be-uncovered new diagnostic or therapeutic applications for motor neuron diseases.
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