While the underlying mechanism by which PLX treatment results in increased ataxin-1 expression is unclear, it is possible that PLX may directly regulate ataxin-1 through c-kit and Flt3 signaling (also inhibited by PLX), or that microglia and neuroinflammation may modulate protein clearance in neurons in neurodegenerative disease. This evidence concerns the gene FLT3 and neurodegenerative disease.