Recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for conversion of oils to biodiesel

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Novel Protein Kinase D1 Peptide Modulators to Block
Neurodegeneration
APPLICATION AREAS
Development of Drugs for Parkinson’s Disease; PKD1 Activators; Enhancement of Mitochondrial
Function
ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder in which dopamine-producing
cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain are lost, resulting in characteristic symptoms such as
shaking or tremors. Current therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease include dopamine agonists,
anticholinergenic agents, carbidopa/levodopa, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, and catechol-O-methyl
transferase inhibitors. However, these drugs do not provide neuroprotective effects and only control
disease symptoms; in addition, the effectiveness of some of these drugs, such as levodopa, tends to
lessen over time. Because PD affects at least four million people worldwide—making it the second
most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease—intense research efforts are
under way to identify neuroprotective and regenerative therapies. As part of these efforts, ISU
researchers have developed peptide modulators of the protein kinase D1 (PKD1), a serine/threonine
kinase that has been postulated to have important roles in growth factor signaling as well as stress
induced signaling, as well as potentially providing cross-talk between signaling systems. The PDK1
peptide modulators have been shown to promote survival of dopaminergic neurons in cell culture and
animal models of PD, and thus may serve as the starting point for the development of new PD drugs.
The PKD1 peptide modulators have also been found to promote mitochondrial biogenesis and thus
may have utility for boosting mitochondrial function and energy production.
BENEFITS
Increases the survival of dopaminergic neurons REFERENCE
“Protein Kinase D1 (PKD1) activation mediates a compensatory protective response during early
stages of oxidative stress- induced neuronal degeneration,” Asaithambi, A. et al. 2011. Mol.
Neurodegen. 6:43. doi:10.1186/1750-1326-6-43.
INVENTORS
Drs and Arthi Kanthasamy, and Mr. Arunkumar Asaithambi
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS (January 2012)
Invention disclosure
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dario Valenzuela, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Phone: (515) 294-4470 (Direct Line)
| ISURF Case #3920

Source: http://www.techtransfer.iastate.edu/documents/630141327414460931.pdf