Characterizing Neurodegeneration-Linked Protein Stathmin-2 In Response to Chemical Injury

Authors

• V Bhat
• A Stavsky
• C Le Pichon

Abstract

Stathmin-2 (STMN2) is a microtubule-binding protein that regulates neuronal growth and helps with axon outgrowth, maintenance, and regeneration after injury. Previous research has shown that in motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, loss of function of STMN2 accelerates neurodegeneration by causing motor and sensory deficits and muscle denervation in mice. Our research is currently examining how STMN2 is affected through different mechanisms of injury by using iPSC-derived cortical and sensory neurons. These two cell types were exposed to two chemotherapeutics—vincristine and cisplatin to study how different mechanisms of chemical injury can affect STMN2. We found that STMN2 levels increase when both cortical and sensory neurons are exposed to vincristine and that this increase may be partially palmitoylation-dependent. STMN2 stabilization through palmitoylation induces a stress response that may promote neuron degeneration.

Scientific Focus Area: Neuroscience

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