Eric J. Huang, MD, PhD
Staff Physician, Pathology Service, SFVAMC
Associate Professor of Pathology, UCSF
Email: eric.huang2@ucsf.edu
Exploring Brain Signaling Pathways in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system in which cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine die. Normally, these cells transmits signals along brain pathways to allow smooth, coordinated function of the body's muscles and movement; their loss leads to progressive impairment in motor skills and speech. Dr. Huang specializes in studying the mechanisms by which dopamine neurons are destroyed and protected from destruction. Recent results from his laboratory demonstrate that the transcription factor HIPK2 is essential for dopamine neuron survival, suggesting that the molecular pathway in which HIPK2 functions could be a possible new target for therapy for Parkinson's disease. Current research focuses on the neurotrophin TGFbeta3, a protein that promotes the survival of brain and nerve cells. Future directions include (1) further studies on the role of different TGFβ and HIPK isoforms in regulating neurogenesis of dopamine neurons, (2) identification of additional trophic factors that regulate the development of dopamine neurons, and (3) investigation of the TGFβ-HIPK2 signaling mechanisms as a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease.
Zhang J, Pho V, Bonasera SJ, Holzmann J, Helmuth J, Tang AA, Janak PH, Tecott LH, Huang EJ. 2007. Essential function of HIPK2 in TGFβ-dependent survival of midbrain dopamine neurons. Nature Neuroscience 10:77-86.
Wei G, Ku S, Saito S, Tang AA, Mao JH, Appella E, Balmain A, Huang EJ. 2007. HIPK2 represses β-catenin-mediated transcription, epidermal stem cell expansion and skin tumorigenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) 104:13040-13045.
