Novel Model of Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA)

Michigan State University, East Lansing MI

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Abstract

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is aimed at fully characterizing our mouse model of Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA). SBMA is a X-linked lower motor neuron disease characterized by adult onset muscle weakness, atrophy, and significant depletion of motoneurons. It has been assumed that muscle weakness and atrophy result from loss of innervation from motoneurons. Our mouse model suggests that, contrary to prevailing theory, SBMA is in fact a myogenic disease, (i.e., the disease is triggered by problems that originate in the muscle, not the motoneurons.) This new model allows us to directly examine the previously unsuspected role of AR in muscle fibers in initiating SBMA. The proposed experiments are aimed at testing the hypothesis that ARs in skeletal muscle fibers trigger SBMA. This proposal may also impact other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) which may also originate in the muscle instead of the motorneurons. [unreadable] [unreadable]