Topic: autophagic flux

Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process that plays a role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal fibers composed of tubulin dimers that have diverse structure and functions in cells. They are notably involved in cellular trafficking and autophagosome formation. The detyrosination/tyrosination cycle, a post-translational modification of tubulin, controls microtubule functions in healthy neurons, and its dysregulations lead to neuronal defects. This cycle is characterized by the enzymatic removal and re-addition of a gene-encoded tyrosin

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders caused by defects in lysosomal function. Among these, Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are characterized by the loss of function of lysosomal enzymes responsible for the degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This defect leads to the production, at the cellular level, of secondary storages comprised of undegraded proteins. In some of these syndromes, this translates into a neurodegenerative phenotype with pediatric dementia. Promoting the degradation of secondary storages is one of the most promising therapeutic

The serine-threonine kinase Ndr2 controls axonal and dendritic growth in vertebrates and invertebrates. Further work from our group has shown that Ndr2 KO mice display deficits in synapse development, and plasticity, that lead to spatial memory impairment. Moreover, the Ndr family of kinases have recently been implicated in the regulation of autophagy, which is essential for memory formation and cognitive function during ageing. Nonetheless, the question of whether Ndr2 is involved in age-related autophagy dysregulation and the cognitive decline associated with it remained. In the current stud