ABC-MT | Agonists of the microprotein BRAWNIN in the treatment of Charcot Marie Tooth disease

Summary
This project will provide proof of concept for the neuroprotective potential of agonists of the mitochondrial protein BRAWNIN. We have identified that BRAWNIN is an important regulator of mitochondrial function in neurons. Mitochondria are essential organelles to support metabolic homeostasis in the cell. Mounting evidence in the literature demonstrate that mitochondria and more broadly metabolic regulation is central to the function of the nervous system. Axons are especially affected by metabolic deregulation, which can lead to axonal degeneration. In this application, we propose that increasing the cellular levels of protein BRAWNIN using a gene-therapy strategy (defined as BRAWNIN agonists) will be protective in neurodegenerative disease, and we will demonstrate this in models of Charcot Marie Tooth disease, a peripheral neuropathy strongly associated with altered metabolism and mitochondria. Overall, our project will provide the first demonstration that BRAWNIN is a target of therapeutic interest in axonal metabolic diseases, which we will further develop with the ultimate goal to develop BRAWNIN agonists for patients.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101157728
Start date: 01-07-2024
End date: 31-12-2025
Total budget - Public funding: - 150 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

This project will provide proof of concept for the neuroprotective potential of agonists of the mitochondrial protein BRAWNIN. We have identified that BRAWNIN is an important regulator of mitochondrial function in neurons. Mitochondria are essential organelles to support metabolic homeostasis in the cell. Mounting evidence in the literature demonstrate that mitochondria and more broadly metabolic regulation is central to the function of the nervous system. Axons are especially affected by metabolic deregulation, which can lead to axonal degeneration. In this application, we propose that increasing the cellular levels of protein BRAWNIN using a gene-therapy strategy (defined as BRAWNIN agonists) will be protective in neurodegenerative disease, and we will demonstrate this in models of Charcot Marie Tooth disease, a peripheral neuropathy strongly associated with altered metabolism and mitochondria. Overall, our project will provide the first demonstration that BRAWNIN is a target of therapeutic interest in axonal metabolic diseases, which we will further develop with the ultimate goal to develop BRAWNIN agonists for patients.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2023-POC

Update Date

12-03-2024
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS