On May 15, 2018, Cell Reports published research co-authored by 2015 AFAR Research Grant for Junior Faculty Louis Lapierre, Ph.D.
In “Nuclear Export Inhibition Enhances HLH-30/TFEB Activity, Autophagy, and Lifespan,” the team found that “altering the nuclear export of HLH-30/TFEB can regulate autophagy and establishes the rationale of targeting XPO1 to stimulate autophagy in order to prevent neurodegeneration.”
The research has been picked up by several publications, including by Futurity, where Dr. Lapierre states: “We and others think that by learning how to influence this process pharmacologically, we might be able to affect the progression of these diseases. What we’ve shown here is a new and conserved entry point for stimulating autophagy.”
The published research in Cell Reports can be read here. Related articles in Futurity, ScienceDaily, and ScienceNewsline can be viewed here, here and here.
Louis Lapierre, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Brown University.
