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  • Title: Stathmin, a microtubule-destabilizing protein, is dysregulated in spinal muscular atrophy.
    Author: Wen HL, Lin YT, Ting CH, Lin-Chao S, Li H, Hsieh-Li HM.
    Journal: Hum Mol Genet; 2010 May 01; 19(9):1766-78. PubMed ID: 20176735.
    Abstract:
    Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a motor neuron degeneration disorder, is caused by either mutations or deletions of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene which result in insufficient SMN protein. Here, we describe a potential link between stathmin and microtubule defects in SMA. Stathmin was identified by screening Smn-knockdown NSC34 cells through proteomics analysis. We found that stathmin was aberrantly upregulated in vitro and in vivo, leading to a decreased level of polymerized tubulin, which was correlated with disease severity. Reduced microtubule densities and beta(III)-tubulin levels in distal axons of affected SMA-like mice and an impaired microtubule network in Smn-deficient cells were observed, suggesting an involvement of stathmin in those microtubule defects. Furthermore, knockdown of stathmin restored the microtubule network defects of Smn-deficient cells, promoted axon outgrowth and reduced the defect in mitochondria transport in SMA-like motor neurons. We conclude that aberrant stathmin levels may play a detrimental role in SMA; this finding suggests a novel approach to treating SMA by enhancing microtubule stability.
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