Drug targeting of dysregulated transcription in Huntington's disease

Prog Neurobiol. 2007 Nov;83(4):249-59. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2007.02.005. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Abstract

Transcriptional dysregulation in Huntington's disease (HD) is a well documented and broadly studied phenomenon. Its basis appears to be in huntingtin's aberrant protein-protein interactions with a variety of transcription factors. The development of therapeutics targeting altered transcription, however, faces serious challenges. No single transcriptional regulator has emerged as a primary actor in HD. The levels of literally hundreds of RNA transcripts are altered in affected cells and it is uncertain which are most relevant. The protein-protein interactions of mutant huntingtin with transcriptional factors do not constitute conventional and easy targets for drug molecules. Nevertheless, potential therapeutic advances, targeting transcriptional deregulation in HD, have been made in recent years. In this chapter we review current progress in this area of therapeutic development. We also discuss possible drug discovery strategies targeting altered transcriptional pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / drug therapy*
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / drug effects*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / drug effects*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / drug effects*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / drug effects*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RE1-silencing transcription factor
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors