Rhes-SUMO Pathway and Huntington Disease in Mice
Official title: Rhes-SUMO Pathway in Huntington Disease
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11176921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mouse models explores how the Rhes-SUMO pathway may drive brain and nerve cell vulnerability in Huntington disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $381,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128225-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This grant studies animal models and basic mechanisms, not a patient enrollment study.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is expected in this animal/bench research.
What this research studies
Researchers are looking at how the interaction between the protein Rhes and SUMO1 affects Huntington disease progression in the brain, especially in the striatum. They will study how this pathway changes mutant huntingtin levels and the spread of the disease via neuron-to-neuron connections. The work uses animal models to probe cellular processes like autophagy, protein modification, and TNT-like protrusions that could influence neuronal survival. The goal is to understand mechanisms that make certain brain regions particularly vulnerable as HD develops. The findings could point to new targets for therapies that slow or halt disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to slow HD progression and protect brain cells in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that modulating SUMO pathways can affect mutant huntingtin levels and neuronal survival in models of HD, supporting the approach's relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramaniam, Srinivasa — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Subramaniam, Srinivasa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Harnessing neuron-derived vesicles to find Huntington’s disease biomarkers
A research project aims to identify brain-derived biomarkers in blood that reflect Huntington disease activity, using neuronal extracellular vesicles as the signal source.
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Understanding how blood flow problems in the brain affect Huntington’s disease
A study at a major hospital is looking at how blood vessels in the brain may contribute to symptoms and brain changes in Huntington’s disease.
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Rhes‑SUMO pathway's role in Huntington's disease
This work looks at whether the Rhes‑SUMO protein system increases toxic huntingtin and helps it spread in the brain, which may explain early striatal damage in people with Huntington's disease.
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Understanding how ribosome stalling affects Huntington disease
This study is looking at how a problem with protein production in the brain might contribute to Huntington disease, which could help us find new ways to treat the condition.
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Investigating the role of the Rhes-SUMO pathway in Huntington's disease
This study is looking at how a specific pathway in the brain might affect the worsening of Huntington's disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage the symptoms and slow down the disease for those living with it.
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Understanding how Huntington disease disrupts protein production in brain cells
Researchers are studying Huntington disease to learn how a faulty protein blocks ribosomes and slows protein-making in brain cells, which may contribute to movement and thinking problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.