Lithium down-regulates histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and induces degradation of mutant huntingtin

J Biol Chem. 2013 Dec 6;288(49):35500-10. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.479865. Epub 2013 Oct 28.

Abstract

Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer that has been clinically used to treat bipolar disorder for several decades. Recent studies have suggested that lithium possesses robust neuroprotective and anti-tumor properties. Thus far, a large number of lithium targets have been discovered. Here, we report for the first time that HDAC1 is a target of lithium. Lithium significantly down-regulated HDAC1 at the translational level by targeting HDAC1 mRNA. We also showed that depletion of HDAC1 is essential for the neuroprotective effects of lithium and for the lithium-mediated degradation of mutant huntingtin through the autophagic pathway. Our studies explain the multiple functions of lithium and reveal a novel mechanism for the function of lithium in neurodegeneration.

Keywords: Autophagy; Cell Biology; Cell Signaling; Histone Deacetylase; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Huntington Disease; MicroRNA; Neurodegeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy
  • CELF1 Protein
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / genetics*
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Lithium / pharmacology*
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics*
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • CELF1 Protein
  • CELF1 protein, human
  • HTT protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Lithium
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • HDAC1 protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase 1