Huntington's disease is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects striatal neurons. Recent studies demonstrated abnormalities in calcium regulation in striatal neurons in Huntington's disease, which leads to elimination of synaptic connections between cortical and striatal neurons. In the present study, we focused on the neuroprotective properties of σ1-receptor, because one of its main functions is associated with modulation of calcium homeostasis in cells. The application of selective σ1-receptor agonists to the corticostriatal cell culture restores synaptic connections between the cortical and striatal neurons. Based on the obtained data, we assume that σ1-receptor is a promising target for the development of drugs for the therapy of Huntington's disease.

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Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, inherited neurodegenerative disorder. The study in functioning and aging of neurons may give an opportunity to regulate these processes. Previous investigations demonstrated the ability of EDR peptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) to penetrate a cell nucleus and stimulate gene expression. The data obtained prompt EDR peptide capability to restore the morphology of spines in striatum neurons in Huntington's disease (HD) mouse model. EDR peptide has been shown by us to bind the DNA in solution (absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering) and in a computer model. The proposed model suggests that EDR peptide binds specific binding site oligo (dCG) along the DNA minor groove.

In primary culture of mouse hippocampal neurons, peptide EDR (200 ng/ml) under conditions of amyloid synaptotoxicity (a model of Alzheimer's disease) increased the number of mushroom spines by 71% and returned this parameter to the normal level. Under the same conditions, tripeptide KED (200 ng/ml) increased the number of mushroom spines in hippocampal neurons by 20%. Tripeptide EDR can be recommended for further experimental study as a candidate neuroprotective agent for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

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