Transcription profiling by array of cerebellum from ataxin1 knock-out mice

Ataxin 1 (Atxn1) is a protein of unknown function associated with cerebellar neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). SCA1 is caused by an expanded polyglutamine within Atxn1 by gain-of-function mechanisms. Lack of Atxn1 in mice triggers motor deficits in the absence of neurodegeneration or apparent neuropathological abnormalities.We extracted RNA from cerebellum of 5 Atxn1-null mice and 5 WT. Cerebellar gene expression profiles at 15 weeks of age were generated usSCA1 ing Affymetrix MOE430A arrays. Identifying the molecular pathways regulated by Atxn1 can provide insights into the early molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction.