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Abstract
Tandem repeat diseases include the neurodegenerative disorders known as polyglutamine
(polyQ) diseases, caused by CAG repeat expansions in the coding regions of the respective
disease genes. The nine known polyQ disease include Huntington’s disease (HD), dentatorubral–pallidoluysian
atrophy (DRPLA), spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and six spinocerebellar ataxias
(SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA17). The underlying disease mechanism in the
polyQ diseases is thought principally to reflect dominant toxic properties of the
disease proteins which, when harboring a polyQ expansion, differentially interact
with protein partners and are prone to aggregate. Among the polyQ diseases, SCA3 is
the most common SCA, and second to HD in prevalence worldwide. Here we summarize current
understanding of SCA3 disease mechanisms within the broader context of the broader
polyQ disease field. We emphasize properties of the disease protein, ATXN3, and new
discoveries regarding three potential pathogenic mechanisms: 1) altered protein homeostasis;
2) DNA damage and dysfunctional DNA repair; and 3) nonneuronal contributions to disease.
We conclude with an overview of the therapeutic implications of recent mechanistic
insights.