# Comparative analysis of Alzheimers disease mechanisms

> **NIH NIH P20** · MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LAB · 2020 · $433,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This Supplement proposal takes advantage of novel genetic model systems and bioinformatic approaches
developed by two young investigators supported by the MDIBL COBRE P20 award (Comparative Biology of
Tissue Repair, Regeneration and Aging; P20GM104318) and extends the impact of these approaches to solving
the problems in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Each of these studies proposes a pilot project that will allow the PI to
seek competing support to pursue promising leads from the research proposed in this supplement request.
 COBRE Project 1 (Beck). Nuclei from AD neurons exhibit global mis-localization/degradation of nuclear lamin
proteins and loss of heterochromatin marks both in human patients and animal models. Although these changes
in chromatin architecture have been well characterized, the exact mechanism by which they contribute to
degenerative changes in AD remains unknown. This proposal aims to determine how the disruption of nuclear
chromatin architecture contributes to degenerative changes in AD. Our preliminary results demonstrate that, in
normal young nuclei, only genes lacking CpG islands (CGI- genes) can reside within lamina-associated
heterochromatin, when transcriptionally inactive. In this project, we will test the novel hypothesis that changes in
chromatin architecture in AD cause mis-localization of CGI- genes that, in turn, triggers their uncontrolled
expression in tissues/contexts where they should not be expressed. We will also examine whether CGI- gene
mislocalization can be used as a diagnostic marker for AD in human clinical samples.
 COBRE Project 3 (Rollins). During AD, the association of Tau with the ribosome leads to its dysfunction.
Such dysfunction is likely due to association of Tau with ribosomal protein 6 (RPS-6). This association coincides
with the dephosphorylation of RPS-6, which is a potential mechanism by which Tau causes ribosome dysfunction
and AD pathology. Using genetic models of RPS-6 phosphorylation we have generated in C.elegans, we will
determine if phosphorylated RPS-6 reduces association of Tau with ribosomes. This will be accomplished by
tracking the association of fluorescently tagged Tau with active ribosomes using fluorescent polysome profiling.
Quantifying the association of Tau with the ribosome in RPS-6 mutants that cannot be phosphorylated or mimic
constitutive phosphorylation will provide direct evidence that Tau association with the ribosome is controlled by
RPS-6. Furthermore, measuring the lifespan and locomotion of the RPS-6 phospho-mutants in the presence of
neuronally expressed Tau will determine whether phosphorylation of RPS-6 may alleviate symptoms of AD.
 Successful completion of these studies will show how nuclear structural changes leads to dysregulated gene
expression in AD and support the development of new diagnostic markers of AD. This work will also clarify how
Tau protein causes ribosome dysfunction in AD and support development of therapies targeting RPS-6
phosphor...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123591
- **Project number:** 3P20GM104318-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LAB
- **Principal Investigator:** IAIN A. DRUMMOND
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $433,500
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2013-09-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123591

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123591, Comparative analysis of Alzheimers disease mechanisms (3P20GM104318-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123591. Licensed CC0.

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