Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD
- Lab Phone: 617-726-8463
- Neurology Access Center: 1-855-644-6387
Research Investigator Profile
Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD
- Associate Professor,
Harvard Medical School - Associate Neurologist,
Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Description
Gene Transcription and Disease
Dimitri Krainc, MD PhD is using molecular and genomic approaches to identify mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration. In particular, his research interest involves deciphering the molecular pathways of transcriptional deregulation and mutant protein accumulation in Huntington's disease (HD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. In order to identify biologically relevant targets of this transcriptional dysfunction in HD, Dr. Krainc's group showed that huntingtin inhibits gene expression of PGC-1alpha, a transcriptional coactivator that regulates several metabolic processes including mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. These studies demonstrated that deregulation of transcription by mutant huntingtin leads to defects in energy metabolism and dysfunction of neurons that are most vulnerable to metabolic stress in HD. In an effort to help develop new therapies, Dr. Krainc's group conducts studies to correct these transcriptional and metabolic abnormalities in HD and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Clearance of Disease Proteins
A recurrent observation of accumulation and aggregation of mutant proteins in different neurodegenerative disorders indicates the possibility of a shared clearance mechanism. Dr. Krainc's group identified a novel mechanism of autophagic-lysosomal degradation that promotes selective clearance of the mutant huntingtin protein. Finding the modifiers of these pathways will identify needed targets for treatment.
Read more: Krainc Laboratory
| Research interests | Neurodegeneration, Gene Transcription, Mitochondrial Function, Energy Metabolism, Protein Degradation, Autophagy |
| Research techniques | molecular and genomic research techniques |
| Diseases studied | Huntington's and Parkinson's disease |
| Selected publications |
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| NCBI PubMed link | NCBI PubMed Publications |
| Collaborators |
Christine Klein (Germany) |
| E-mail address | dkrainc@partners.org |
| Lab mailing address | MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease 114 16th Street Charlestown, MA 02129 |
| Clinical interests | Neurology, Movement Disorders , Huntington’s disease |
| Clinical address | Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology, Suite 835 Wang Ambulatory Care Center 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114 USA |
| Clinical website address | Movement Disorders Unit |
Updated 1/19/2012
