|
|
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Screening Tools for Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Agents to Treat Cognitive Disorders
SUMMARY: In many learning and memory disorders, such as autism, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, patients show a reduced number of dendrite branches. Prof. Bonnie Firestein and members of her laboratory in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Rutgers University have identified two proteins that regulate dendrite branching and can therefore be used as targets for the discovery of new agents to treat these cognitive disorders. Siuta Consulting has been retained by Rutgers to identify partners for this technology. BACKGROUND: The dendrite branching pattern of a neuron plays an important role in normal brain function. When there is an abnormal decrease in the number of dendrite branches on a neuron, the neuron cannot receive appropriate information, and hence, disruption of proper signaling networks results.
TECHNOLOGY:
Prof. Firestein
and members of her laboratory have identified a pathway in which the levels of
the protein cypin affect the number and branching of dendrites on a neuron. The
research focused on the areas of the brain, namely the cortex and hippocampus,
that are known to be involved in cognitive function. Cypin protein was found to
be increased in response to factors that aid in learning and memory. In
parallel, another protein, snapin, has been found to bind to cypin and inhibit
cypin’s ability to increase dendrites. With well-planned experiments aimed at
upregulating and downregulating the level of cypin, a link has been established
for the role of cypin in regulating dendrite number and patterning. This opens
up the possibility of using therapeutic agents to enhance the levels of cypin
and/or inhibit the activity of snapin for the treatment of cognitive disorders.
Prof. Firestein has also shown that compounds that increase cypin levels and/or
activity may also aid those patients who have experienced spinal cord injury or
ischemic stroke, where neurons need to regrow their connections.
PUBLICATIONS: The following are two relevant publications that describe this technology in greater detail:
M. Chen, K. G. Lucas, B. F. Akum, G. Balasingam, T. M. Stawicki, J. M. Provost, G. M. Riefler, R. J. Jornsten and B. L. Firestein, A Novel Role of Snapin in Dendrite Patterning: Interaction with Cypin, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 16, 5103-5114 (2005) B. F. Akum, M. Chen, S. H. Gunderson, G. M. Riefler, M. M. Serri-Hansen and B.L. Firestein, Cypin Regulates Dendrite Patterning in Hippocampal Neurons by Promoting Microtubule Assembly, Nature Neuroscience, 7 (2), 145-152 (2004) PATENT STATUS: The following two patent applications have been filed: PCT Patent Application Number WO2006132701 entitled “Methods and Kits for Regulation of Microtubule Assembly and Dendrite Growth and Branching” was filed on April 4, 2006 and published on December 14, 2006. United States Patent Application Number 20050214822 entitled “Using Cypin in Assays, Diagnostics and Treatment of Cognitive Disorders” was filed on January12, 2005 and published on September 29, 2005. This application has recently been allowed. LICENSE TERMS: The technology is available for license. |