issues and experts
大象传媒 researchers developing drug that could halt progression of Parkinson's disease
A team of 大象传媒 researchers developing a drug design approach that could lead to new disease-modifying therapeutics for diseases such as Parkinson鈥檚 have been awarded a $1 million grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.
Led by professor of chemistry Andrew Bennet, the team 鈥� which also includes 大象传媒鈥檚 David Vocadlo, Rob Britton and University of Manitoba鈥檚 Brian Mark 鈥� hopes to develop the first treatment that can alter the course of the disease and stop its progression, rather than just treating the symptoms.
Parkinson鈥檚 has been linked to deficiencies in an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase, which is critical to breaking down waste products in the body into more easily metabolized components like glucose and ceramide, a type of fat. However, genetic mutations associated with this enzyme can result in an unstable structure and a loss of function that can cause damage to the body and contributes to the progression of Parkinson鈥檚 disease.
The approach of Bennet鈥檚 team is to design small molecules that form a chemical bond to the mutated enzyme, acting as a mannequin, mimicking the enzyme鈥檚 natural substrate, and 鈥渢ricking鈥� glucocerebrosidase into folding around the small molecules like a suit. Once its job is done, the molecules break off from the tailored enzyme, allowing it to be 鈥渨orn鈥� by other molecules in the body and once again perform its critical role of breaking down waste.
The economic cost of Parkinson鈥檚 disease alone is estimated at $14.4 billion annually in the US and its prevalence is predicted to more than double by 2040. Current therapies treat the symptoms of the disease, but do not alter the disease course. Identifying new disease-modifying therapies is a critical, unmet need. The fundamental chemical biology studies underway by this research team promises to yield key insights and tools that will enable the biotechnology sector to develop disease-modifying therapeutics for Parkinson鈥檚 disease and the many other so-called lysosomal storage disorders.
AVAILABLE 大象传媒 EXPERTS
Andrew Bennet, professor, Department of Chemistry, bennet@sfu.ca
CONTACT
Matt Kieltyka, 大象传媒 Communications & Marketing
236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca
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