Atx2 is also pivotal for polyQ mediated neurodegeneration involving other spinocerebellar ataxia genes, Atxn1 and Atxn3. Atx2 overexpression enhances the toxicity of ATXN3Q78 and ATXN1Q82 while the reduced Atx2 function can partially suppress ATXN1Q82 toxicity as assayed by fly retinal degeneration [84, 85]. The gene discussed is ATXN2; the disease is retinal degeneration.